GAP-tastic

Excuse me whileI brush that dust off my shoulder à la Jay-Z while I tell you all about the latest roll I'm on. PEOPLE--I'm on a roll because for the second time in the last five years Nora has asked me to knit her something that she actually wore and did not throw down in disgust or pile it on her Poang which is a repository for all her crumpled, discarded garments!! I am such a winner right now.

The Specs

Pattern: GAP-tastic cowl by Jen Geigley

Yarn: 1 skein Malabrigo Chunky in Geranio

Needles: size 13

Mods: I only cast on 112 sts as I had a long-tail cast-on dysfunctional moment and couldn’t imagine casting it on all over again. So the cowl is not quite as epic as it could’ve been but it’s still long enough to loop around her neck a few times.

Nora approached me several weeks ago and indicated her desire for a colorful long neck wrap. We perused Ravelry and alighted upon this pattern. Now I have no illusions that the fact the the Gap is named-checked in the pattern didn't have something to do with her enthusiasm. That little touch of branding helped immensely in our decision, and she chose this pattern. Thank you corporate America for colonizing the minds of our youth and lending your imprimatur of authenticity to this pattern!

The pattern is modeled after a well-known Gap cowl that the author saw and like any self-respecting knitter thought There is no way I'm paying for that. I could knit that up in a heartbeat. And she did! Thanks Jen, because I am just lame enough that had I been with my daughter in Satan's Lair i.e. the mall, I would've been the loser knitter that lazily shelled out the cash for it. My self-respect thanks you!

Next-up for me: a finished Rhinebeck sweater. I KNOW!!

Ontological Ishbel musings

Normally I like to keep it light up in here, but today I have a serious question of a deep philosophical nature: can a shawl really be called an Ishbel if the slatternly knitter behind it only does one repeat of chart A? Yes, I said one repeat of chart A. I'm not quite sure what caused me to bind off and call it a day at that point. Was is that I was seeing the recipient of the shawl (if you can call it that) later that afternoon and wanted desperately to give it to her? Was it my utter and total DONENESS with shawls for the time being? Maybe it was in fact my eagerness to get on with my Rhinebeck sweater(s). Not sure, in any case: one repeat of chart A.

The Specs:

Pattern: Ishbel by Ysolda Teague.

Yarn: one skein of madelinetosh sock in 'Tart'.

Needles: size 6 Kollage Square needles w/ the hard cable.

Size: Cast on for size large.

Mods: One repeat of chart A. This has epic WIN or epic FAIL written all over it, depending on your point of view.

One of the reasons I was eager to give this project to my lovely pal J was that she is one of my only not-currently-knitting* friends who reads my blog and made a very sweet request after seeing the Striped Study shawl. "Heather...I would be willing to pay you for that shawl on your blog...that red...oh my". As you all know, a. we knitters all live for such requests and b. we knitters would never accept money from a good friend for a piece of our handiwork. Sadly her request came two days too late as I had already given it to Sandrine. Ah non! So instead I decided to cut to the chase and knit her a shawl out of strictly Tart. And even though it's quite small, I'm hoping it can be a mighty fine neck warmer.

I am fully expecting to receive a cease and desist letter at any moment from Ysolda's solicitors (oh là très British), demanding that I refrain from continuing to call this pattern Ishbel. Fair enough!

*in point of fact J IS a knitter but she happens to have a MIL who is a superior plus expert knitter that could completely blow doors of Meg Swansen, Barbara Walker and any recipient of the TNNA Master Knitter title combined with her eyes closed and one arm tied behind her back. Kinda doesn't leave a lot of room for someone who is merely outstanding, does it?

Back to School: Cecily

I never cease to marvel at the incredible talents of our knitpal designers. We are so fortunate to be surrounded by a cohort of super talented designers that seems to effortlessly churn out patterns that keep us interested and knee-deep in fabulous knits. One of those designers, Melissa of Knitting School Dropout fame, just won't quit with the amazing. Case in point: the Cecily Beret.

The Specs
Pattern: Cecily Beret by Knitting School Dropout.
Yarn: Dream in Color Smooshy, 'Happy Forest', .75 a skein.
Needles: 1 and 2.5 16 mm addi turbos.
Mods: Please don't.

'Happy Forest' just happens to be my most favorite Dream in Color ever. I feel that it should be renamed 'Happy Place', or why not even 'Happy Pill'? I suggest this because the effect this luscious green has on me is akin to pharmaceutically-enhanced euphoria. YES it's the yarn equivalent of ____________(fill in the blank with your drug of choice. I'll choose poppers c. 1981, before its deleterious effect on the brain was so harshly revealed and they became, well, not even slightly fun. Hmph.)

This pattern was the type of affair that the more intrepid among us could whip up in a few days. I chose to do mine slow boat to China style and It has been ages since I've knit something at such a fine gauge. Far too long! This was a pure joy from start to finish, so I strongly recommend you give it a whirl.

Melissa is a seriously talented knitter who deserves your full attention. You know another designer who is nothing short of freakishly talented? Larissa! And if you high tail it over to her blog you might win something truly exciting...

Hup Hup Holland!

Things you most likely know about me by now: when I promise you phenomena such as a cavalcade of knits, you that this likely means you won't see hide nor hair of me for a month. Oops! Hey, it's hard work having both your kids at camp--suddenly finding oneself with deep existential choices such as Shall I have a Moscow Mule or a Dark n Stormy for dinner? Which buttermilk-based Smitten Kitchen recipe shall I make next? And--now this last one is knitting related--Would Button Jar or Longjohns be the most appealing choice for my Rhinebeck sweater? Why your day can get eaten right up by such preoccupations!

You know another thing that can eat your day right up? Doing another Veera Välimäki shawl pattern...

The Specs
Pattern: Different Lines by Veera Välimäki
Yarn: madelinetosh tosh sock in 'Nikko Blue' and 'Citric'
Needles: Size 6 Kollage Square Firm Cable, because the Soft Cable ones swim with the fishes, if you know what I mean.
Mods: I did three extra stripes, partly because I fancied a longer shawl than the ones I'd seen, but mainly because I knew a 1/6 of a skein of 'Citric' would be of little use to me and thus ragemaking. Glad I did, it is indeed the perfect size.

Now there is no doubt in my mind that when you read the whiny grousing on my part w/r/t/ the Stripe Study Shawl, the whole waah-it's taking-a-long-time-and-giving-me-knitting-zombie-brain folderol, you knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was in all likelihood moments away from casting on for another VV pattern and signing up for another tour of duty in garter stitch/short row boot camp. And you were so right. You know me better than I know myself!

I really strongly recommend this pattern. The shape is quite different from the Stripe-Study as when all is said and done you end with a garment that is quite a pleasingly odd shape. I can well imagine this will do double duty as a shawl and a scarfy thing.

You see here that the stars converged and the universe aligned to allow me to have two of my three models in the same place at the same time [kids do eventually return from camp, thankfully, and jolt you back into a life of slightly less indulgence]. How could I not take advantage of such a fortuitous event? You can see from the picture that the shawl is quite expansive and can easily accommodate both.

I had been dying to put together these colors--this particular shade of blue with this very shade of orange--forever. Very hup hup Holland, don't you agree? Another thing about me? I am a lover of all things Dutch: Double Dutch Bus, Dutch Wonderland, Pass the Dutch(ie), Dutch Bulbs, Dutch Wooden Sneakers from Holland....but come to think of it, not Dutch Treat so much and I am definitely glad I never had a Dutch Uncle.

So, yeah. Isn't this the part of the post when I promise you the moon about FOs coming down the pike? Hmmm...maybe a litle Dutch Rock instead?

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...