It's Halloween

Want to hear something really scary and creepy?

I spent the day knitting......with Fun Fur and novelty yarn!

Yikes!

Several years ago when novelty yarns were really novel, my sister-in-laws both wanted one. One of them e-mailed this week to ask if I could knit her a pink one. Yes. Pink Fun Fur! [and you thought it couldn't get any worse!]

Next week my hometown is having a "Paint The Town Pink" week to raise money for breast cancer research. Jeanne works at the Woodstock Visitor's Center. Naturally I was happy to oblige - even if it meant PINK Fun Fur!

Trick or Treat?

Need More String!

Somehow this picture does not convey the wonderfulness of this dishcloth. I just love how these Little Houses turned out. I want to make a set in bright primary colors. I want to do it now. But what have I got? Multi-colored string. : (

Guess I'll have to return to my 'real' lace until I can get to the store. But the store is close, so I'm guessing I'll be back in the dishcloth business soon!

When lace gives you lemons, knit a dishcloth

After the colorwork cap was finished, I didn't have anything in particular in mind to knit. Since I had a half of a hank of KnitPicks bare laceweight left over from the Kool-Aid dyeing sometime back, I decided to cast on for another of Evelyn A. Clark's lace triangles. This time I thought I'd knit a single pattern only - the leaf lace.

I had really been craving some smaller needles and lace repeats. I love this leaf lace pattern and was having a grand time. I wasn't even counting every row. It was so relaxing. (can you see where this is headed?)

This morning I got a row in before work and for some reason thought I'd just count to make sure and, of course, was off! Grrrgh. 97 stitches on one side and 99 on the other half.

So instead of tinking back and fixing it, I decided to grab the Emergency Knitting kit and start a dishcloth. It's still lace, still YOs and K2togs and SSKs. And I'm back to counting, because I don't want to mess up and tink this back. But the difference here is the stitch count is much smaller and remains constant.

The little bit shown above doesn't tell you much, but you can see the pattern here. I'm doing Little Houses-2.

{Isn't that Red Cross bag too cute? Mary from Snit 'n Knit sent it to me in a surprise goodie package. I have no idea where she found it originally. I keep it in the car with a ball of dishcloth cotton, size 7 needles and copies of a few easy patterns.}

Red Light Special Hat

Pattern: Red Light Special hat

by BrooklynTweed

Yarn: KnitPicks Telemark

Deep Navy, Alpine Frost, Pesto, Grey Wolf

Needles: Size 6 dpns

a set of cheapie Susan Bates and one lone bamboo

why, oh why don't Bates come in sets of 5??

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A nephew specifically asked if I'd knit a hat. I sent him a few online pattern links and he chose this one. Secretly it was my favorite as well. I loved the warm colors of Jared's, but the nephew asked for blues and greens. I really dithered over the color choices and, in retrospect, feel that the light grey is really too light, but I'm OK with it. (I doubt the nephew will care.)

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My biggest challenge was getting the nerve to try the provisional cast on and the turned hem. The pattern was wonderfully written and, thanks to the full paragraph that Jared devoted to the wet blocking, I even did that exactly as he said. [who knows how long it will take to dry!]

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I hope it fits. Overall - especially now that it's DONE - I'm pleased. I'll send it off to college to the nephew and will go back to some comfort knitting.

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The KnitPicks yarn made this a very affordable project. The hat took almost the full ball of the main color, Deep Navy, but there is quite a bit of the other, especially the light grey and lighter blue; certainly enough (I think) to do another hat with just one more $1.99 ball of Deep Navy.

a little fall color there in the background - a pot of mums my Mother gave me!

Good news, Bad news, Good news

BrooklynTweed's Red Light Special.

If it doesn't look like too much of a mess here, then it's due to being 'cleaned up' and posed for the photo.

Good news is that I finally overcame my fear and started the thing. Bad news is that I'm almost sure I picked the wrong yarn (Swish superwash DK) for the inside hem. Good news is that I'm finally past the hem stage and got the provisional cast on released and knit together with the hat. Bad news is I'm not sure if I should have waited one more round to do so. Good news is that it is a tad easier to manage now. Bad news is that I still have no idea if it will fit OR if I'm translating my colors to the pattern properly.

Can you tell this is still a very IF-y project? Good news is I love the colors I picked!

(KnitPicks Telemark in Deep Navy, Alpine Frost, Pesto, and Grey Wolf)

Orts

n. Archaic, crumbs, scraps.

Function: noun
Etymology:
Middle English, from Middle Low German orte
Date: 15th century
: a morsel left at a meal : scrap

Work slows down during the week, but cutting and withdrawing threads has begun. I generally cut and withdraw a small section at a time which helps keep the overall piece stable. My orts from this session are in that little blue lid.

Sheri wondered that I could see the work. Sadly over the years I've had to turn to help. You can see in this photo my new aid courtesy of the dollar section at Target! No sense wasting $tring money on fashion! Working in daylight also helps and it's a beautiful and bright October day today. Still a little warm, but a great breeze.

Also under the category of "money well spent" would be my little Uncle Bill's Silver Grippers which are perfect for pulling out the cut threads.

"O suns and skies and clouds of June,
And flowers of June together,
Ye cannot rival for one hour
October's bright blue weather"
Helen Hunt Jackson (1830-1885)

Of Ships

Today's picture is a bit clearer. Still white on white is not the easiest to see. [click to enlarge]

The embroidery uses two weights of thread with the heavier (in this case size 8 pearl cotton) used for the satin stitching and kloster blocks. Satin stitch stars are characteristic of traditional Hardanger embroidery as are ships. Ships (so named because of their resemblance to Viking ships) are often worked in groups.

The ships on this piece are at the four corners of the larger star shapes (see one just below the spool of thread). As soon as I've finished the last ship I can switch over to the finer thread (size 12 pearl cotton) and work any pulled stitches. Then I'll be ready for, what is for me, the most fun part - cutting and removing fabric threads and then the decorative needleweaving.

A Balm for the Soul

The picture is a little washed out. It was late in the afternoon and a bit overcast when I took this shot. What is it? Well you certainly can't tell from this shot, but it is the beginning of the Hardanger apron; a key component of my bunad.

Didn't know I was Norwegian? Well, I'm not. Where in the world do I plan to wear this get up - assuming first of all that I even ever get it made? Who knows. It's just another of my crazy ideas.

Before knitting seemingly took over, Hardanger embroidery was about my favorite needlework. I still really enjoy it, especially when I have a nice long block of time to sit and stitch.

Today was (finally) just such a day. And what a balm to my soul it has been. Sometimes I fear I am overly fond of spending quiet time alone. I love to sit and stitch and let my thoughts wander.

I don't have a timeline for this nutty project. I thought I'd introduce it here so I'd have something to look back on to help me see how long it takes. Obviously there are many more pieces needed. I may need to do some beading. And I'm gonna need some buckle shoes!

signed, HM Queen Sonja

Ellen's Stockings

Pattern: Ellen's Stockings from Folk Knitting in Estonia by Nancy Bush

Yarn: Regia Silk - color 052

55% new wool/20% silk/25% nylon

200 m/50 gr - not all of 2 balls

Needles: Size 0 bamboo dpns

Love, love, love the pattern (except for the heels). Yarn feels great so I sure hope it holds up well to wear. In spite of this particular heel not fitting my heel that well, I'm still very happy with this project. These were lots of fun to knit and I'd happily knit this pattern again. I like how the back eyelet ribbing does not continue all the way down. These give me a bit more confidence to maybe try some of the ones I've been eyeing for years in Knitting On The Road.

Nancy Bush writes patterns so well and so thoroughly. I remember wondering when I ordered this book if I'd ever be able to knit anything from it.

My first try was the Helgi's Mittens I knit for the Knitting Olympics. (I only signed on for one! I know my limitations!)

I was particularly inspired by a pair Sandy knit. And now she's knitting the same pattern again in another color.

Wynnewood Sewing Tin

It always takes me longer than I think it will. But home today and finally finished lining and completing the Whitman's Sampler Wynnewood Tin. I love the gold and aqua in this tin. The pattern and tin was a gift from a friend (some time back).

I did the fun stitching of the little pin pillow right away. And then I remembered this piece of fabric I had and loved that I thought would be perfect for the lining. Luckily I gathered all that together and ziplocked it so that today I didn't have to spend precious time locating all the ingredients. Sort of a 'mise en place' for the kitchen-phobe.

These scissors are too long and the ribbon on the wool felt needle book is too dark, but I'm counting this project done until suitable replacements can be acquired. Those will be easy fixes.

Pictures are a little dark. I think it may rain!

PS: the friend who gave me the tin and the pattern? She ATE the chocolate! Some friend.

Ann Budd

I think I must run a bit behind on everything. At least it often seems that way to me.

I've mentioned before that I have really been enjoying Kelly Petkun's KnitPicks podcasts. I am not up-to-date, so tonight's podcast was episode 16 and included a wonderful interview with Ann Budd in which she talked all about her new book Getting Started Knitting Socks.

I'm not sure I've seen this 'in person' at the bookstore. If so, perhaps I just didn't pay enough attention to it as I don't think of myself as in the 'getting started' phase of sock knitting.

But, the interview was great. I loved hearing Ann Budd's voice and I loved hearing her enthusiasm for sock knitting.

I'm definitely going to search this one out!

Sock #2 of my silk stocking is at the heel turn. Fun times.

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"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm."

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

The Doorknob Drop

Kay came through for me in spades again. Some time back I was browsing around some blogs (no kidding) and ran across some beautiful tatting here. In particular, her lovely motif 16 caught my eye. She listed this book, Tatting from Burda, a Lacis publication, as the source.

Motif 16 utilizes 'block tatting' - seen as those denser, square areas. I have some back issues of "Anna" magazine, but, of course, not the issue with that lovely cover piece.

I found it available through one of my favorite online sources, Nordic Needle. And I thought perhaps I had even seen it at a Lacy Susan vendor booth at the March lace club workshop.

I e-mailed Kay and it turned out she had it; thinks maybe she even bought it in March. AND, since she was headed out my way this evening to a Bible study, she'd do the Doorknob Drop and bring it to me! What service!

Ooohhh. This is a nice book. There are some lovely pieces. I can't imagine finding the time or commitment to make it, but look at this wonderful blouse.

I need more time!! And possibly, more string.

And the cherry on top? Kay, as usual, included a treat with the Doorknob Drop - a lovely pen - made to look like a twig with a little ladybug on it! How neat.

"The balm of life, a kind and faithful friend."

Mercy Otis Warren 1728-1814

Stab or Sew?

You were beginning to think it was only YARNplay around here weren't you? My needlework has tended to go through phases and almost the very first phase was cross stitch which I did a good bit of until I had a daughter. As you might guess, the next (and very intense phase) was smocking. Oh those were the glory years.

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When the smocking phase was over and I tried to return to cross stitch, I found it almost unbearably slow.* Besides by that time I had long found Hardanger embroidery. Ocassionally I return to cross stitch and usually when some design (most often it's Christmas) catches my eye.

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I'm not sure where I first ran across this design. (I suspect it was here where I saw it stitched over-one and finished as a lovely pinkeep.) This is "The Sampler Lady" by Little House Needleworks. I'm not doing the full chart and am not sure how I'll finish it.

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Finish it? Did I hear you snort? Are you skeptical? My only hope lies in that I'm intending this as a Christmas gift, so there is a bit more motivation than for those lovely things intended for me alone that continue to languish in Finishing Purgatory.

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*One reason I tend to stitch slowly is that I'm a stabber, meaning I stab the threaded needle from one side to the other and pull the floss all the way through. I just think my stitches look more uniform that way. I do not use a frame or hoop and curiously this link suggests that the sew method is more common for those that stitch in hand. Might know I'd be contrary.

Cranberry Shawl

Pattern: from Knitting Lace Triangles

by Evelyn A. Clark

Yarn: KnitPicks Bare laceweight dyed with Kool-Aid Black Cherry

Needles: size 4 Options circular

For this first outing in Evelyn's new book, I went the easy route and started with one she had already mapped out - the Sand Dollar Shawl - which alternates just two different lace patterns (Ripple and Medallion) and then I added an extra two repeats of the Medallion pattern before the edging.

I think I could have used a size 5 for this. It still comes out more scarf size than full shawl, but it's very wearable and drapes nicely over the shoulders.

A nice and quick little project that I enjoyed and plan to donate for a silent auction later in the year.

Birthday Relay Socks

Pattern: "Chevron"* Charlene Schurch p 73

Sensational Knitted Socks

Yarn: Plymouth Sockotta

45% cotton / 405 superwash wool / 15% nylon

color 5618 self-striping

Needles: size 1 Boye dpns

My friend, Vickie, bought this yarn for my birthday earlier in the year. She was browsing in a yarn shop when she came across a sample pair, and having never seen self-striping sock yarn, was amazed.

I decided to knit a pair and give them back to her on her birthday - which is today. (Happy Birthday, Vickie!) Although this pattern is listed in the book as specifically for self-striping yarn, I'm not so sure it was perfect for this yarn. Overall it worked out well, but I found I preferred the look of the plain stockinette sole over the patterned upper.

*also I goofed and did round 2 as all knit; forgetting the two purl stitches in each 11-stitch repeat! And, of course, I substituted a heel flap because I couldn't face the forethought heel shown in the book.