FO: Light Up My World aka Barbara Gordan

Nananananananana BATMAN. Or more accurate- Batgirl.

Pattern: Damson by Ysolda Teague

Yarn: Unplanned Peacock Studio Diva Sock in Canary, one skein

I purchased this yarn at the Pittsburgh Knit & Crochet Festival and I think it's fair to say it was love at first sight. After weeks of dreary gray weather, I had been on the hunt for the perfectbright yellow yarn. That warm sunshine-y shade that drags away the winter blues kicking and screaming into a closet and locks them away without a question. That yellow. Wandering around, I just hadn't found the yellow. Yellows were there indeed, but not the yellow. My companion stated to me, "The yellow will call to you." And indeed it did- in fact it screamed out like a siren under a pile of sock yarn.

The company, Unplanned Peacock Studio, had so much luscious yarn for a great price. The colors leaned towards the warm side, but they were indeed very gorgeous. I picked up the Diva Sock, which was divinely sock. Most likely the golden merino-cashmere-nylon blend. Knitting it up was pure joy, and it came out so soft and wonderful. My only gripe is that the color leaked, but luckily the shawl still retained its bright yellow.

Damson, like all of Ysolda's other patterns, is easy, fun and well written. The crescent shawl shape is becoming one of my favorites to wear, and I love it! I've waxed poetic about Miss Ysolda Teague, but she never stops amazing me. I'm debating knitting the Snapdragon tam (I actually despise tams, so it'll become a beanie instead if made) and mittens.

Anything yellow you've knit?

FO(s): Notoriously Uncharted

Out of all the accessories I utilize everyday, I think scarves are the most often used. Light or heavy, wool or silk, in every color of the rainbow, scarves come in the biggest variety I've ever seen. In one household, my mother and I together own at least 10 pashmina scarves, supplemented by one or two (or 11) hand knit scarves. So it's safe to say we don't mind a few new additions to our collection.

Pattern: Baktus by Strikkelise

Yarn: Cascade 220 in Black and Natural, 1 skein each.

The pattern is really versatile and the triangular shape is wonderful. I've only this twice, which I regret. It's a fun easy project that's good TV and transportation knitting. I haven't had much opportunity to wear this scarf, but from the few minutes I've stolen with it, I can attest to it's warmth and softness. Cascade is such a great yarn, and a great material to use for cold weather articles. I'd knit every sweater I own out of it if I could. I eyeballed when to decrease and increase, but I still got a pretty substantial scarf out of it.

Pattern: Annis by Susanna IC

Yarn: Bernat Meadowspun in Burgundy, 3 skeins

Susanna is truly a genius, this short row shawl is AWESOME. After casting on the ungodly amount of stitches and knitting the lace, the short rows were easily to do and went by really fast. It was interested to watch this shawl develop, and how it became even better with some blocking! I can't wait to knit another one, but only with a different yarn. The yarn left much to be desired- constant breaks in the yarn made it annoying and the fact the tag said 'do not block.' The color however was gorgeous with its heathered purple-red.

I've still got one more shawl left to photograph, even if it's done and blocked. I'm waiting for the weather to look up again so I can have some real modelled pictures for you with humans, instead of my favorite cardigan pulling mannequin duty once more.

A Tale of Blocking, Part 2: Drying and Pinning

Now for Part 2! Here's where all the good stuff happens! Onwards!

So after you're done soaking and such, remove the piece from the water. When you're taking the piece from the water, try to support it with both hands to prevent stretching and breaking. After soaking, the fibers, especially wool, are VERY fragile and prone to breaking. So support the piece with both hands and lay it out on a dry towel. Never ever ever wring out your knitting! EVER. The fibers are fragile and this will stretch out and break your knitting! Gently pull out of the piece from the damp ball it's in and lay it out flat on an old and very absorbent towel.

Once it's flat on the towel, roll the towel up into like a wrap with your knitting inside it. Now g-stomp the living shit out of this towel. Yes there's a purpose to this. Stomping the towel takes out all the excess water from the knitting, and believe me, there's a whole lotta water in there. This won't ruin your knitting, so don't be too worried. Once you're finished stomping the knitting, unroll the towel and gently move the knitting to a different towel or blocking board, what have you. The knitting should be fairly damp, but it's still fragile so be careful to support it.

Once it's on a separate towel, begin to pin out your knitting. I prefer T-pins and blocking wires. Gently stretch out your knitting to the dimensions you want, and pin it down. If you're blocking a lace shawl with straight edges, I'd recommend blocking wires to get straight edges. Tack out your points to emphasize them. Wait for at least 24 hours for the knitting to be completely dry, unpin and wear! You now have a beautiful, blocked shawl!

In conclusion-

• Never wring your knitting! Remove excess water by pressing it between towels.
• Pin out to dimensions using wires and pins.
• Wait for 24 hours to dry or longer depending on your piece's weight.
• Wear that lace knitting!

If you have any extra questions about blocking lace, I'd recommend these videos here and here and of course, any blocking article on Knitty

A Tale of Blocking, Part 1: The Soak

I know I have extolled the virtues of blocking literally every FO post regarding a lace item on this blog, and I also know that tutorials like this exist all over the Internet. But to me, blocking is singlehandedly the most important skill I've learned in knitting, save for knit and purl stitches. This even beats out grafting, and heck, it's a lot more fun. Blocking is one of those skills that can literally transform your crumpled, tiny project into something simply beautiful and elegant. However, I've seen with my own eyes how blocking can go dreadfully, dreadfully wrong. Hence these posts.

When I block, I typically use a bucket. Some use sinks, but I like the bucket. Personal preference. More space and easier and faster to fill and refill. Fill the bucket full or halfway with water. Here's where it gets tricky. Water temperature is a HUGE HUGE HUGE factor in blocking. Here's why-

One of my knitting friends made a gorgeous shawl for her daughter. I'm not exactly positive of the fiber content, but I suspect it was a merino and silk worsted weight. The pattern was Damsel Shawl by Lori Law. It was her first shawl *squeal* and she had never blocked before. Naturally, she went to our local yarn store, where the assistant advised her to put the shawl is hot water. First mistake. After removing the shawl from the water and pinning it down, she discovered it had partially felted. You can see the shawl below and how there is absolutely no definition to the lace. It's just a blobby triangle :(

Never ever ever ever put your item in an extreme temperature. My general rule of thumb is if you wouldn't put your baby in it, don't put your knitting in it. I go for a lukewarm temperature, leaning more towards cold. If I can splash it on my wrist without discomfort, it is the temperature for knitting. If your piece is in an extreme temperature, there is a chance it will felt and it is indeed a heartbreaking and tragic event.

After filling the bucket or vessel of preference with your lukewarm water comfortable to the touch and adding soap if you so desire (Quick note, I highly advise against Wool-lite or any commercial detergent. I know of rumors of the detergent taking away the sheen of the yarn and no one wants that. I have heard of baby shampoo being used, but I'd recommend Soak or Eucalan), GENTLY submerse your knitting. Push down the knitting into the bucket with your hands and 'squish' it in the water to allow the garment to become fully soaked. DO NOT agitate your knitting as it will felt. Be gentle, like you are playing with soap bubbles. Gently squish and push the knitting to allow water in and fully soak the piece. After this, leave in the water for about 20 minutes.

If you used soap, rinse and repeat till the water runs clear. As always, be gentle and use lukewarm water. The same rules as the initial soak apply to the rinse.

In conclusion-

• Use lukewarm temperature water that is comfortable if you placed it on your wrist. NO extreme temperatures
• When soaking, be gentle. NO agitation of the pieces. Squish and push. Gentle in the key word here.
• If you used soap, rinse and repeat till water runs clear.

Part 2- Drying and Pinning! Really that's all there is to it.

FO: Ishbel

It started in February when I purchased the yarn from Creatively Dyed Yarn. Dianne, the booth owner, had so many different kids of yarn that came in so many different colors, and varigations! But my eyes landed upon Catkin, a gorgeous teal with hints of black and it was love at first sight. Dianne suggested the pattern, and I was fixed. Hooked. Obsessed you might say.

Pattern: Ishbel by Ysolda Teague

Yarn: Creatively Dyed Yarn Steele in Catkin

The pattern is so easy and gorgeous and I can see why it's got over 8000 projects! I've knitted this construction before, and it's by far one of my favorites and the most logical as well! Preblocking, the shawl looked like an uncurled mess from hell, and the lace pattern was just ugly. Again and again, blocking is proving it's worth to me. And Ishbel is one of those that looks good in any kind of yarn, and I can see myself knitting it many times in the future, as gifts or just selfish variations for myself.

Steele is simply gorgeous. The color is beautiful and the dye did not run when I blocked it. Steele definitely matches up to Malabrigo Sock in softness, and in color. The extra yardage makes the yarn even better, even though the yarn was kinda expensive. Catkin was hard to photograph. It appears dark blue in some light, and then photographs a little greenish in others but it's simply beautiful in person.

I do plan on wearing this to the next knit and crochet festival, and maybe I'll come back with another new beautiful skein of sock yarn from Creatively Dyed Yarn. If you see the booth, I encourage you to check it out! You'll be floored by the rainbow of colors she has, and I know I'll definitely be looking for a skein of sunshine yellow for a Damson.

WIP Wednesday

So much for monogamy...

Notorious

Sugar Plum Fairy

The Life Aquatic

Ocean Eyes

Scrap Stripes

11.7.10

*Wipes dust off blog* Why hello there blog! So good to see you. Life caught up with me a little, but look! I have stuff! LOOK AT THE STUFF. Ahem. Right. I'm not crazy.

Meet Call Me Captain, and Sir Nicholas' Famous Snidget Fingers.

Call Me Captain is a basic wooly striped shawl/scarf (sharf? Scawl?) in Ravenclaw colors (unintentional!) Very warm, and oh so very large. I hardly know what to do with myself when I wear it. It was a great mindless knit.

As for the Snidget finger, I needed a quick project for the HPKCHC, and I came up with a lip balm carrier! Three cheers for ingenuity! Excuse the um, less than satisfactory seaming. I was rushed.
A new purse. My poor LeSportsac had suffered a beating, and sadly it's not very 'work friendly.' But I got this new thing, and I'm so excited with it! One of my friends told me I looked like 'a hipster working at Google and inside I had my iPhone and laptop.' It's probably one of the best compliments I've ever gotten. But look inside!
A Baktus named Notorious (after the Cary Grant movie.) And if you look deeper...
NEW YARN. I have to give all the credit to MJ. I ended up with some purple fingering weight, some very very soft red worsted, and pumpkin orange worsted. Nomnomnom.

Continuing with the 'wool' theme, we also have- not one, but THREE wooly items that my mum got me. It seems especially cold this year, and the sweater dress on the bottom is proving its worth in keeping me warm and fuzzy.

Outside it's steadily becoming less 'fall' and more Northeastern winter which translates to scathingly cold winds on a sunny day, or a gray gray day that makes you a little depressed inside. Although rumor (weather.com) says it's going to snow...

FO: One Sheep, Two Sheep

One sheep, two sheep, red sheep, blue sheep?

Pattern: My own, inspired by Sheepish by Alana Dakos

Yarn: Cascade 220 in Gray Heather, Mallard, Natural and Black

Needles: US 7 circulars

Can I just gush to you guys for a minute how excited I am that this is my FIRST SWEATER?!? And I made it without a pattern! Like really. All I used was Elizabeth Zimmerman's Knitting Without Tears (God bless her), Knitting Daily's Waist Shaping Calculator, my calculator and a pencil and a paper. I'm pretty pumped about this, and I can't wait to wear it out and about.

Of course, it's got flaws. When I finished it, the fit was incredibly poor. The sleeves were way toooo short (above my elbows!), the length was short (above my belt!) and it was tight and just plain uncomfortable. I wanted to cry. Luckily, I found the time to block it, and I did some MAJOR stretching. And it fits almost perfectly now! The sleeves and body could be longer, but I'm not complaining. It FITS!All in all, it's a pretty solid sweater, and I learned a lot about fit and ease. And to make everything longer than I expect. But for now, I have a pretty solid sweater with almost two full skeins of yarn left. And what is happening to those?

FO: Broad Street Bandit

Didn't you know bandits are all the rage?

Pattern: Springtime Bandit by Kate Gagnon Osborn

Yarn: Lobster Pot Yarns Lobster Sox in Boiled Lobster, 1 skein

Needles: US 5 24 in. circulars

Specifics: 7 repeats of the body chart. Used SSK instead of SKP for the mirrored decrease (worked much better and looked neater.)

The yarn's from Woolplay. It's a great store, which has a bunch of really nice, really expensive (I say expensive with a pained expression) luxury yarns that I'm fairly sure I wouldn't find back home. The Lobster Pot Sox is one that I can't get at home. It’s definitely not as soft as Malabrigo Sock (many yarns aren't), but the color is beautiful. It ranges from a light pink to spots of deep red. It’s more ‘sock’ yarn than ‘shawl’ yarn, because it seemed really durable, and tough, so to speak. But I am a firm believer that yarn I payed + $10 for will not become socks. This is expensive yarn damnit, and I want everyone to see it! On the bad side, I’ve also been finding some WEIRD stuff in my yarn, which might be normal for all I know. I’ve been pulling out little pieces of black string, and hard pieces of nylon.

As for the pattern, it's great! It's really easy, and I love the end results. It's lacy, but it has quite a bit of substance to it. And the edging is gorgeous as well. It looks more complicated to knit than it really is. The fabric I ended up with was dense pre-blocking, but once blocked out, it EXPANDED and became much softer and less thick. Again THE MAGIC OF BLOCKING. JUST DO IT. DON'T COMPLAIN.

All the Good Things

Because I'm lazy, here are photos. Life is looking good right now :)
A finished One Sheep, Two Sheep

A finished Springtime Bandit (photos coming soon!)

A new project :D
Some summer reading that finally doesn't suck (actually the top is only summer reading)

A sweet gift from a sweet friend (book not included ;)

And how was your summer?

Damn, I Want Lobster

I heart blocking. The color is so RED

Long Time, No Speak

Well, it's been quite a bit since I last posted, and rather unfortunately this post will have no photos.

Good news: I finished up One Sheep, Two Sheep!

Bad news: The fit is weird. I guess I should've assumed that much, considering I didn't really know what I was looking for when I started the sweater. Hopefully, I can block the living crap out of it and that'll soften it up as well. I need to rip the neck as well. This is my first time with short rows neck, and I used the King of Confidence sweater as inspiration for it. Ripping it out seems like it'll work a little bit better.

Good news: I traveled and met some amazing people. I went to D.C. and NYC for two weeks on a conference. While I've been there before, this trip was really special for me because of the people I met on this trip. Never have I met such a beautiful, unique and diverse group of people in one place.

Bad news: I have no knitting. I DIE. I'm hoping to run to the nearest yarn store (EIGHT MINUTES AWAY!) and promptly buy a skein of MadTosh to cry myself to sleep with. It's under the working title of 'Scarf of Loneliness'

Good news: I have new designs to make!

Bad news: It correlates with colleges. And here is where I leave you with its working title TGACKP. Quite a mouthful I know. Once I actually start something, I'll give more details. Promise.

And how is your summer?

Part 4: A Sleeve and a half and Body

And mine is a laugh of WINNER!

Got a sleeve and body down. Chyeahh!

And a small ribbing of the second sleeve!

And oh yeah, I started writing notes on the pattern. Should've started doing that earlier, so that I wouldn't be forced to recalculate things and write them on Posts-its and promptly lose them.

Right now, I'm oddly obsessed with the ocean. To be specific, I am thinking of an Arctic Ocean (no, not Whale Wars) and old school sea captaining. Think Moby Dick. It makes me want to crank out a new sweater and scarf, for sure. Potential knitting projects once I finish this sweater?

For more ocean related fun, check out gallery hanahou's Lost At Sea. The exhibit just ended, but the pieces are on sale. My personal favorites are Anna Hrachovec's work, and Remember Me, an embroidery plus watercolor work.

Part 3: The Carnage

If I ever decide to knit myself a sweater sans pattern again, I'm to take LEGITIMATE measurements that time, and really make a better effort to choose ease. It's not the numbers (I'm good at math, I swear!), it's just deciding fit. I wish they were more babies in my life so I could get all the satisfaction of sweaters, without the complicated form of a woman's body (meaning: I hate my hips. and waist, which I actually adore, but right now, I really hate it.)

Frogging, frogging, frogging. So much yarn carnage, of FROGGING. 11 inches frogged down to 6. Sigh. I can totally do this. I. Can. Do. This.

We're going to need more podcasts to get through this. Hopefully today, I can plow through this stockinette section and attach the sleeves. Which I have to knit.

FO: Honey Bee

Since class is finally over, I have time to do whatever I want. This usually consists of lazing around, cleaning (I like cleaning) and knitting. However, MJ chooses to break me out of my self imposed solitude, so yesterday she came over, and we had 'supermodel documentary hour'

Since it was positively gorgeous outside (that's new, considering as I write this, it's gray and rainy, rather similar to Les Parapluies de Cherbourg, which I highly recommend. It's French and a musical!) we both took photos of our respected FO's. So I introduce you to Honey Bee.

FO: Honey Bee

Pattern: My own

Yarn: Cascade 220 in 8555 (Black) and 7827 (Yellow) 1 skein each

Being in marching band, usually means that I have to haul my ass out onto a 1000 degree or a 20 degree field and play the clarinet while running around. Not an easy feat. To ease the pain of nearly freezing off my hands, I made myself the fingerless mittens with a flip top, cute honeybee button included. The pattern is my own, but it's really basic mitten construction, nothing too difficult. I've waxed poetic about Cascade, and I don't think I need to do it again, although I'm seriously considering investing in a winder, because I will never stop buying this stuff. Ever.

Part 2: The pockets

HARK A SWEATER WITH (some) WAIST SHAPING!

I really love the pockets, so it was a must (and every doodle sweater I've ever drawn has pockets...) I had an original plan for making them, but instead scrapped it for something slightly easier, and equally pretty results. I'm debating posting a pocket tutorial on this, although if you just browse Knitty, one or two patterns have pockets that would work fine.

The pockets on this actually weren't half as bad as I originally suspected. I'm just excited, because I have pockets to stick Kleenex in when I have allergies. The waist shaping, on the other hand, has been ripped back REPEATEDLY in an effort to get it right. Mostly, it was just conflicts with ease. I couldn't decide on the ease! But now I got it right, so I'm working through it.

I'm doing a sleeve right now out of boredom, so I'm can't wait to get to the yoke! And I'll leave with my current source of inspiration.

I'm not a huge fan of Wes Anderson, but I do enjoy things involving the ocean.

Part 1: The Sweater!

Since I previously didn't reveal my sweater, I'll tell you now. One of my favorite designers is Alana Dakos of Never Not Knitting. I loved the Sheepish Cardigan, but since it didn't come in adult sizes, I opted to design my own (yeah, smart of me I know.) It's an easy raglan cardigan, with pockets, contrasting trim and 3/4 length sleeves. Sounds easy enough? WRONG.

It took me around a week to get this right, mostly because I was messing around with body numbers and lengths. I used Knitting Daily's waist shaping calculator to do the math for me (yes I know, naughty naughty not doing it yourself whatever.) I adjusted some of the rows and the numbers, because I hadn't really decided on ease. If it's too small, I can always stretch it a little during blocking. I allotted 1 inch of ease which was much too much, so I went for a .5 inch of ease. It seems to be working out fairly well YAY.

I've knit the ribbing, and done about 4 inches of body, which includes the pockets. Check out the cutie sheep! Thank goodness the intarsia is over. The test swatches really paid off in the ends. I'm reserving weaving ends for later. I might not even weave the ends in at all. Which is a satisfying thought indeed.

The Drought is Over

I HAVE NEW YARN. Which I couldn't be more excited for.

This yarn is very special stuff. This yarn is going into my first sweater. I adore sweaters. I love love love wearing them. That cozy warm feeling from a good wool sweater is like an artificial hug. I have a notebook, filled with ideas for sweaters. While I don't have the means/skills/yarn to knit them, it's really exciting to at least draw them out.

The yarn is Cascade 220, which, if you haven't heard, is my new favorite yarn. The blue, Mallard, is quite a stunner. It's blue with little flecks of green, it's so pretty to look at. Compared to Catkin (which I still can't get an accurate picture of, goddamnit!) it's much much darker, and less green too. I really like the heather gray as well. I have a special affinity for heathered gray sweaters. For some reason, they make me want to put on my glasses, and go to an old school college library with leather chairs and sofas and read a book on theoretical physics.

I just casted on last night, which was no easy feat and extremely boring. However, staring at Mallard was enough to distract because it's just so damn pretty.