I have swatched my Malabrigo Lace in “Olive,” with Amber TR beads (size 8):
I was at an agility trial all weekend, but my friend Chris and I cast on for the “Anniversary Mystery Shawl 2012” by GoddessKnits in a tent, using Chris’s i-phone to display the pattern. I did about a dozen rows by lantern-light before turning in for the night :).
I believe there are still a few days to sign up for this KAL, if you are interested … hint hint! 🙂
Project: Evergreen Beanie
Pattern: Everdeen Beanie
Designer: Tanis Gray
Available: in Weekend Hats
Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh DK in Jade
Oh how I love this yarn! Oh how I love this pattern! It really is a match made in heaven. Tosh DK is squishy and wonderful in every possible way, and the non-pooling variegated greens never cease to amaze. The pattern evokes fish scales or waves, or (if you’re a truly mad knitter) you might think of the famous Pomatomus socks by Cookie A (I’ve made two pair, so I know a bit of what I speak). The body of the hat is essentially 1×1 twisted rib, with increases and decreases that make the rib swoop around so attractively. It also makes for an elastic, bouncy, warm hat — love it!
In the spirit of matchy-matchy, I opted to do the brim in 1×1 twisted-knit rib (rather than the 2×2 plain rib called for in the pattern), so that the rib would flow directly into the main body pattern. I also changed the first round — I did a regular k2tog (in lieu of a k2togtbl) on round 1, every repeat of the pattern. To my eye, this allowed the waves to flow into each other more smoothly.
It’s been almost two weeks since I cast on a new project! I’m not sick, I’m not deranged–I’m just trying to whittle down my WIP count. I actually have finished a bunch of things — Eli’s orange hoodie, the knit Jasper, and the Echo Flower shawl. Yay!
My new project is another sample for the Hub Mills store: a Noelle Capelet in the called-for yarn, Rowan Lima. This yarn is heavenly, and I literally begged for the opportunity to knit a sample with it. Lucky me, I got the thumbs up! I’ve got the ribbed neckline done — the rest in just raglan increases and stockinette in-the-round. Here’s my color:
Back in February, I cast on for my very own Rodekool de Kool. Designer Nancy Marchant published Rodekool in the Deep Fall 2010 issue of Knitty — it’s still available (for free!) there. Keeping in mind that I’ve never done much (any?) brioche before tackling this “extraspicy” pattern, and also keeping in mind that this pattern involves not only brioche but also lace … it totally kicked my butt at first.
Getting through the set up rows and first few repeats of the lacy brioche pattern very nearly did me in. It took every last ounce of available mental prowess, kntterly skill, and concentration. Thankfully, once I’d accomplished those first few rows … things began to settle in. Here’s the RS and WS just after the keyhole:
So pretty, right? For once I used the called-for yarn, and (by accident) selected the same colorway as the sample, so if my version looks a bit like the photographs in the pattern, that’s why.
I’ve trucked right along on this project, but I find I can’t work on it at knitting group (chatting!) — at least not successfully. But, working on it at knitting group did help me learn how to tink lace brioche! Ugh. I have also learned how to fix (small) mistakes, and also pick up the stitches after ripping out several rows.
I’m nearly done with my Rodekool de Kool, and I wanted to share how I’ve been doing it. I’m not saying it’s totally right (though I believe it is) — naturally this is my interpretation of the pattern, and not endorsed by the designer or knitty, and so on. Usual caveats apply! In editing I already noticed that I keep calling the big decrease a “quintuple” decrease when I should have say “quadruple.” Oops. But, I also feel like I figured out a bit of a shortcut with the wrong-side rows — of course for all I know, brioche knitters already know my little trick, but just in case, I thought I’d share.
With all that, I’m sure you are dying to see what I’ve come up with. I split the video into three parts. First up: Row 1 (RS, MC)
Still with me? Here’s Row 1 (RS, CC):
The part that’s “mine” is next. Row 2 is just straight-up brioche — no lace — and fairly early on I decided it must be possible to work the stitches in a single pass, rather than doing first the MC, then the CC. Here’s my take on Row 2 (WS, MC & CC together):
I hope this was enjoyable and even useful! This is a great pattern with a lot to offer.
Project: Hellebores Wristlets
Pattern: Hellebores
Designer: Anne Hanson
Available: $8 on Ravelry; includes matching beret pattern
Yarn: CEY Silky Alpaca Lace in #2458
Although I really like my finished wristlets, this pattern was a bit of a slog. For me, the lace never made sense, so it was tricky to follow. Ending with 24 rounds of itty-bitty 1×1 ribbing did not help my mood. But, the finished bits of lacy softness are a true delight, and help add a bit of warmth and color when tucked into the ends of a jacket or sweater. I like the idea and would make more in the future, but with a different lace pattern, I think.
Introducing my latest pattern: Mhara Baby Blanket! Mhara means “sea” in Gaelic.
Pattern: Mhara Baby Blanket
Designer: Rachel Henry (that’s me!)
Available: for $1.99 through Knit Picks IDP or $2.50 on Ravelry
Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Bulky in Tranquil
Design/Skills Needed: This fully reversible baby blanket is worked on the bias in garter stitch. Step-wise increases and decreases are embellished as you go with crocheted waves. Explicit directions for stroller- and crib-sized blankets are given, but the pattern is easily adapted for larger or smaller blankets. This pattern includes complete photo tutorials for the step-wise increases and the crocheted embellishment. For ease of printing, these tutorials appear at the end of the pattern. Experienced knitters may print just page 2 for complete pattern with no extraneous photos or information.
Familiarity with crocheting is helpful, but not necessary. Almost any yarn will work with this pattern, provided you use appropriately-sized needles.
Project: Silver Ribband
Pattern: Ribband
Designer: Laura Nelkin
Available: $5 on Ravelry, pattern kit with all accouterments was $21 retail
Yarn: Alpaca with a Twist Fino
I made this pretty and versatile knitted jewelry piece in just one day. The kit came with all the fixings: beads, crystals, yarn, clasp, and even a special tool to help thread the beads onto the yarn. For this pattern, the beads are all strung ahead of time, then popped into place as needed. What else can I say? Well-written and clear, this pattern was a pleasure to knit. The FO is another shop sample for the Hub Mills Store.
This week, I cast on (and finished) Yar, a cute fringed scarf. This is a sample for the Hub Mills shop. The pattern, Starboard, is from the spring CEY booklet for Seedling Hand-Painted.
I made a cape! This does not make me a knitting superhero.
Project: Princess Wander’s Aran Cape
Pattern: Wandering Aran Fields
Designer: Norah Gaughan
Available: in Wrap Style
Yarn: CEY Princess in peacock (3409)
This is a store sample for the Hub Mills Store. Even though Princess has been discontinued (SOB!) we still have some in stock — come and get it, before it’s all gone! There is nothing quite so soft and lovely as this worsted-weight yarn. I will miss it when it’s gone entirely. In the mean time, I got to knit this cabled cape — such fun!
The pattern is pretty straightforward: cast on the bottom edge, work cables until done, make button bands, then make more ribbing than you’d like to. The shoulder decreases are cleverly hidden in the cables — very cool! The button bands are worked separately in the pattern, with smaller needles, although I noticed several knitters elected to work them as they went rather than deal with seaming. Seaming doesn’t bother me, and I think it adds to the structure of the garment in many cases.
If you make this pattern, don’t make MY mistake. I thought I knew what they wanted for 2×2 rib — I mean, 2×2 rib, right? How hard is that? Well, I failed to take into account a totally appropriate one-stitch selvage (to make seaming those button bands easier), and ended up having to correct two inches of 2×2 rib that was off by one stitch. Ugh. Of course, I could have ripped it all out … but ribbing is my nemesis, and I just couldn’t face it.
I have improved my ribbing a great deal with this project, speaking of. All it took was a little more attention paid to keep the working yarn on the needle tips when going from a knit to a purl — I was allowing the yarn to slip back a bit, adding too much slack at this crucial point and causing a loose left edge to knit columns.
Last week I received the latest shipment from the BMFA Rockin’ Sock Club! The March 2012 yarn is to DIE for. Can’t share photos yet, of course, but I will soon! I’ve decided to make the sock pattern this month — it’s perfect for the yarn.
I also cast on for my very own Catkin! I’ve loved this pattern for quite some time, and I think it will be stunning in Mad Tosh Light in “French Grey” and “Byzantine.”
I hope everyone in the knitting world took time to cast on yesterday for Louise Zass-Bangham‘s new design, The Emperor’s New Mitts. I did, and I don’t regret it one little bit! I elected to use the recommended yarn, Rumplestiltskin (100% pure spun gold), Unicorn (100% rainbow), and Jason (golden fun fur). Of course it took extra care and time to place the 3000 gold beads, but I think you would agree that the results are worth it!
Here is Julian modelling my new mitts — very pretty, no?
Remily Knits 