Maple Leaf Rag

Those of you who are in the know and keep up with all the goings on in Knitlandia know the above picture to be of Caro, the beauty and brains behind Splityarn and Knitting it Old School. Can you even stand how cute she is, both here and in general? I haven't had a model round these parts of such stature in quite a long time. Let's not share that tidbit with my kids, because they are just looking for an escape clause in their contract and a way to get off this blog as soon as possible. But, come to think of it, child laborers don't even HAVE contracts, so pfft!

About a month or so ago, a group of friends gathered in the wilds of Michigan to have a lost weekend of bacon, fizzy lifting drinks and knitting. Sadly yours truly was in France, so I wasn't able to make it. Yes I was crestfallen, but I had duties to attend to that involved hot, fresh croissants, shepherding students around Paris, and watching hours and hours of DSK analysis on late-night talk shows. Luckily I was still able to participate in the hat swap that these knitpals had organized. I had the great fortune of being able to knit for Caro (although each and every one of these ladies has her own special charms). After my initial excitement suddenly it started to sink in: hello, you are knitting for a published knit author and all-around extremely skilled crafter. PRESSURE MUCH? Luckily for me, the hat turned out reasonably well. These things can go one of two ways: either the recipient truly likes what you've knitted her or she does an extremely good snow job and graciously makes you feel that she liked it. In this case, I do believe it was the former--whew!

The Specs

Pattern: Maple Leaf Rag by Kristin Hanley Cardozo (Knitting Kninja)

Yarn: Sublime Cashmere Merino Silk Aran in #137, two skeins.

Needles: size 4 and 6

Size: M/L

Mods: None!

When I set out to find a pattern for my partner, I had some very specific criteria. I knew I wanted to make cloche as this is the recipient's favorite hat shape. Check! I wanted the pattern to have a special detail and maybe a fun stitch pattern? Check! I wanted to find a color to accentuate the otherworldliness of Caro's mesmerizing eyes. Check! And lastly, I wanted the pattern to have a name that signified Caro's country of origin. Check! Ok, just kidding about that last one. But Maple Leaf! Caro's Canadian! Get it? Kismet, pure kismet I tell you.

This was such a pleasant pattern to make because of the the clarity of the directions and the general versatility of the pattern. Directions are given for both a cloche and a slouch version. You will see that on Peeper (seen above and below) the hat is much larger, and if you squint and mentally photoshop your face on to her picture, you start to get an idea of what the slouch version might look like on you. Cute, right?

Stay tuned for a veritable cavalcade of FOs here in the next week or so. As you know, I had loads and loads of knitting time while I was in France and have some beauties to share with you...

Ulmus: DONE

There is nothing more satisfying than finishing a project that has been languishing on the needles for, oh, the better part of two years. I remember seeing my pal Juliefrick's test knit version at MDS&W right after the pattern had been released in 09 and NEEDING to cast on immediately. Luckily I was in line at The Fold's booth at the time and was able to instagratibuy the yarn for it. That day I couldn't race home fast enough to fire it up. And here we are, two years and many breaks later, and it's finally finished. Whew!

The Specs:
Pattern Ulmus by Kirsten Kapur of Through the Loops.
Yarn: STR Mediumweight in 'Puck's Mischief'(entire skein) and STR Silkie in 'Jade' (.75 of skein).
Size: Medium
Needles: size 6
Modifications: Was forced to omit last two rows due to lack of yarn!

If you look through the Ravelry project gallery you will note that many knitters did what I did: put it down for a spell, pick it up again and have completely lost your place. Hilarious! Luckily I knew I'd be seeing the designer herself at last year's Maryland Sheep and Wool for a chat, so I brought it with me and she was kind enough to look at it and within several nanoseconds identify where I was. Love her!

Another thing you notice when perusing the variations projects is that there seems to be pretty strong variation in terms of how people like to block this out. Some have opted for the ultra-pointy look whereas others, me included, wanted a flatter edge. My choice was in part dictated by the fact that I was running out of yarn and quickly saw that I needed to make haste and wrap things up. Personally I love running out at the end and using up an entire skein as it gives me a great sense of satisfaction and lets me live out the twisted fantasy that I am one of those thrifty "make do, live simple" kind of people (think Mormon-mom bloggers) rather than the wasteful, gluttonous knitter that I truly know myself to be

Those of you who know my strict personal guidelines regarding mixing lace and variegated yarn are perhaps surprised to see that I have done the lace portion as I did--yes? Well believe me I only did so after great deliberation and trolling of the project gallery into the wee hours of the morning. I noticed that many knitters had in fact used a variegated yarn for the lace pattern and it, in fact, looked quite nice. So I gave it a whirl and am so glad that I did.

At this year's MDS&W I once again saw my pal Juliefrick as was reminded of that morning two years ago when I became crazed for that pattern. This year it seems to be all about stripes: both Dream Stripes and Different Lines (the shawl pattern created by Veera Välimäki to satiate all of you Stripe-Study maniacs) will be accompanying me on my trip tomorrow. See you on the flipside!

French Press Cowl

If there is one thing I'm basically always game for, it's a good ol' KAL. To me there is nothing more fun than doing a project at the same time as a bunch of other knitters because you guarantee that you'll have an instant cadre of people who can help you out when you stumble or hesitate. And you're there as well to give advice and cheer your KAL pals along. It's a win-win scenario!

The Specs
Pattern: French Press Cowl by Larissa Brown
Yarn: Madelinetosh Vintage in "Amber Trinket" for the cowl and "Golden Hickory" for the iCord. Ever the Apple® Addict, I know...
Needles: Size 8
Mods: None at all!

I just love Larissa's patterns. I used the word 'offbeat' to describe them on Ravelry...and it seems so apt. She is the queen of likable patterns that have just enough of an odd little twist that make them thoroughly hers. This cowl firmly cements my love for her because it is so darn versatile as you can wear it a myriad of ways: over the shoulders, loose around the neck, cinched up with the iCord. You name it!

This pattern is quite appropriately named, as we have just rediscovered the joys of the French Press coffee maker around these parts. Not quite sure why I ever started using the drip maker--convenience perhaps? In any case, something possessed me to break out my French Press pot a few weeks ago and WOW it's like it's not even the same beverage. Yes it takes longer, but if I don't have time to drink coffee the way is was meant to be consumed, then what's the point?

I have been busily knitting away on several projects that I need to finish before I leave for France next week. Yes, I'm off for two weeks to supervise a study abroad trip. Yeah.... Ahem. You know the drill: manically finish a few WIPs so I can spend loads and loads of time deliberating about what the perfect travel project might be. Any suggestions?

Flat Stanley: Pattern you will tire of but nonetheless love

Stripe study indeed: you best be prepared to study and study those stripes because you will be spending a lot of quality time together. In fact you'll have a blooming PhD in stripes by the time you're done. However I am not going to disparage this pattern too much because when all is said and done you are left with a stunning and impressive shawl of the highest order, but what I will say is this: you will be completely emotionally done with this project way, way before you are actually indeed done with it. You dig?

The Specs:

Pattern: Stripe Study Shawl by Veera Välimäki

Yarn: madelinetosh madtosh sock in 'Tart' and 'Winter Wheat'. One skein each, no leftovers!

Needles: Size 6

Mods: Do you call stopping after 11 stripes because there is no way in hell you're winding another skein for one stripe a mod? If so, then yeah. That.

I all honesty the project was a rollicking good time for the first 6 stripes or so. It is quite fun to see the assymetricality of the stripes take shape as the short rows do their magic. The pattern is very easy once you fully get the logic of it all.

My love affair with all things madelinetosh continues, my friends. This sock yarn is a dream. And does anyone do colors the way madelinetosh? Please clue me in of you have a cheeky answer to that question, because I am all ears.

I'm going to call this pattern the Flat Stanley of WIPs because I took this pattern everywhere:

-to class when my students were taking a test:

-to a Sea Shanty party (if that's your bag you might want to join this group on Ravelry. I don't even...):

-to work to randomly knit on while waiting for advisees to show up. I got a lot done this way if you know what I mean:

-on my porch, during the 15 minutes minutes in which it's actually been pleasant to be outside:

Yeah, this project was my constant companion for about a month. And if you can believe it, I am thinking of casting on for another go-round as I need a good travel project. More on that in the next post...

Pattern you will never tire of!

Well the Shetland Triangle is the stuff of legends for a very good reason: it just WORKS, you know? It is supremely wearable and quite easily memorized. You always know exactly where you are at all times and it is done at precisely the moment you are about to be completely over it. WIN WIN WIN DING DING DING.

The Specs:

Pattern: Shetland Triangle Lace Shawl by Evelyn A. Clark

Yarn: Rowan Kid Classic in color #847. I have a lot to say about this yarn, so don't go anywhere.

Needles: Size 6

Mods: Insert NONE here

Oh Rowan Kid Classic...you are the perfect combination of 70% wool, 26% mohair and 4% nylon! You might know that I'm not a huge mohair fan as I feel it frequently is somehow in my mouth when I knit with it, to the point where I have phantom mohair mouth when I'm knitting with it. However the clever chemists at Rowan have figured out the perfect formula for mohair: keep it under 26%! Yes, at that percentage it is kept in its place (out of your mouth) because the wool is keeping it in check. And that 4% nylon seriously puts the whole operation into awesome overdrive and maybe keeps the mohair trapped somehow? Such a science-y analysis, I know. And this red is the definition of cherry red, which is one of my favorite reds. I love this yarn and see no reason to not keep hoarding it.

Shawls are really quite a gas to make and especially to give away. I made this for my friend Meredith's birthday, and being the mohair lover and hand made enthusiast that she is, she was very happy with it. I hope to see her wearing at work someday as for a knitter random, chance sightings as you well know are the very best!

Do you like my Minnesota English in the title? Nice dangling preposition, I know. I'm sure I'll be hearing about it from my mom who is a perpetual state of aghastness at the state of my locution. Eh! At least I'm not writing 'Do you wanna come with'. That REALLY sets her off...

Herbivore

I was very tempted to title this blog post something like 'That's a Wrap!' in the great tradition of American Corniness, but instead I'm going with the straight up title of the pattern: Herbivore. Learn this name because at some point you WILL be knitting this pattern, ok?

The Specs:
Pattern: Herbivore by Stephen West
Size: Medium-ish?
Yarn: The Sanguine Gryphon 'Bugga', 1 skein in 'Charlotte'.
Needles: Size 6 Kollage square needles, firm cable because the soft cable ones are dead to me.
Mods: None

This is my first time knitting with the Sanguine Gryphon and Oh My GAH is it nice. Ultra-soft and the color is complex like whoa. HELLO are you checking those yellow flecks in the most gorgeous pale brown ever? I mean, who even thought of that? Wow.

Now on to the pattern itself. Verdict: the most winningest pattern that ever winned. Stephen West loves his twisted stitches, does he not? There is a simplicity in the combination of the twisted stitches and the stockinette that is so satisfying both from a visual and knitting standpoint. The shape is unexpected and makes for a truly versatile garment. Is it a shawl, a wrap, a scarf, or something else entirely? Size-wise you can absolutely monkey around and get the size you like. I made a medium-ish size and am so happy with the results.

I have to say that I was initially prepared to be cheesed-off that there wasn't a chart with this pattern but OMG STEPHEN PLEASE DON'T BE MAD AT ME I WAS WRONG. There is no need for a chart. Pfft--unnecessary. No need whatsoever!

After this and Windschief, I am on a complete roll and have decided to cast on for Clockwork because it has fabulous written all over it. I can't stop! And luckily the guy seems to be churning these patterns out like it's his job (oh wait...) so I am set for the next 24-36 months!

All this is to say that I basically have a new Internet knitting boyfriend and his name is Stephen West. And please don't try to break us up because I will throw some serious hard-core knitting realness back at you...

Two More Hats

Frankly I don't understand how I could have not blogged about these two hat patterns earlier. Ideally it would have been before the freight train known as Daylight Savings Time flattened me and turned me into the walking wounded. I fail to see how a one hour time shift can make a person feel so utterly ill, but there you have it. So. LAME.

The Specs

Hat #1

Pattern: November Leaves by Melissa LaBarre

Yarn: One skein of Shelter in 'Hayloft'.

Size: Large

Needles: size 6 and 7

Mods: None, I did as I was told.

Melissa is the queen of the jaunty hat pattern that once you see it for the first time, you are and bound and determined to drop everything and make it immediately! I love this pattern SO MUCH. The pattern comes in either a tam or beanie version, and I opted for the latter given that it only needed one skein.

Shelter is the perfect yarn for the occasion here. There is a reason this yarn is so hyped at the moment! It is versatile like nobody's business as I have seen many ultra-enticing projects, none more so than Chawne's unbelievable blanket.

The intrepid among you who have downloaded this pattern or seen it elsewhere will notice that I knit the hat not only out of the yarn called for but also the exact color featured in the pattern. Yes, I am that person. Hi!

And just in case you think I am not aware of the eye brow situation here, I am. I have hectored the person in question mercilessly about it but to no avail. Let us never speak of it again.

Hat#2

Pattern: Windschief by Steven West

Yarn: Madeline Tosh Vintage in 'Golden Hickory'

Size: Large

Needles: size 6 and 7

Mods: I did the crown decreases an inch before the pattern indicated per many recommendations on teh Rav and the hat turned out perfectly.

This is a truly clever pattern. Steven West loves his twisted stitches, that's for sure, and watching them migrate and twist on this hat is quite a lot of fun. Seriously! This hat has turned out to be my gateway drug to other Steven West patterns, as since finishing it I've finished another one and even cast on for a third. Which is to stay WATCH THIS SPACE for more twisted stitches.

And now a word about the yarn: madelinetosh Vintage. madelinetosh you are my new thing. You are like Malabrigo was for me in 2005. Or Wollmeise back in 2007. Which is to say that I never want to have to deal with any other yarn ever again, because your colors are eye-popping and your legendary softness is the stuff of dreams. And with names like 'Warm Maize' and 'Ink' you have hopelessly seduced me...

Something to Crow About

Back at the tail end of 2010, I signed up for a super sweet lil neckware swap over on Flickr. Moments later that good ol' trusty companion SELF-DOUBT arrived right on schedule. That train is never late! You see, I am terrified of disappointing others. What if I flake and never actually complete the item, get trapped into a self-created negative spiral in which I avoid knitting the object out of some sense of misplaced resentment and overwhelming sense of anxiety about the task at hand, let it go on for far too long and am then subjected to scorn and ridicule? What if I mail it, am too chintzy to get delivery confirmation, it gets lost in the mail, the recipient has justifiable righteous indignation, runs me out of Knitsville on a rail with the villagers and their pitchforks and I am then subjected to scorn and ridicule? Worst of all, what if I carefully knit said item, the recipient receives it with great anticipation and then throws it down in disgust due to its overall shoddy execution and poor choice of materials? Do you now see how of a sweet lil neckware swap can be a one-way trip to hell?

Luckily that was not the case here. Whew!

The Specs:
Pattern: Crow by Larissa Brown
Yarn: Malabrigo Chunky in 'Sapphire Green', 1 skein.
Needles: size 10.5
Mods: None. It's a cowl.

This is a great pattern from one of my fave designers and gray hair style icons, Larissa Brown. I am in the process of letting my hair go 100% its natural shade of salt and pepper, and clicking on the pattern for Crow just serve to remind me what a stone cold fox she is. AND the pattern is up to her usual standards of beautiful, portable and jolly-making.

My recipient, the delightful Maryse was pleased with my cowl. I was so glad to send it off to her as she's one of my favorite KnitPals ever. In honor of her mighty Frenchitude, I had another Gallic Hot Mami, Sandrine do me the modeling honors here. More proof that I am a terrible friend: I had her model this for me mere moments before a series of high stakes exams. It's all about me and my sunlight needs, people! She was her usual gracious and obliging self. I mean, come to think of it, nipping outside in the fresh air probably took her mind off the event...I am so thoughtful.


An interesting flipside to the above-mentioned swap induced foolish nonsense: I have never once received an item in a swap I didn't 100% completely love. You knit this for me? Really? I LOVE IT! This swap was no different, but more on that next time.