Author remilyknits

Fantasy Queue: Knitty Spring+Summer 2011

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Oh pretty-shiny! The latest issue of Knitty came out a week or so ago, and as usual there are far too many lovely patterns for me to ever actually knit.  For the duration of this post, I will suspend disbelief and indulge in a fantasy queue.  If I had unlimited time and money, what would I knit, and with what yarn?

#1: Corinne

This is a pretty little swingy cardigan knit side-to-side in garter stitch with short rows for shaping. I love the belled half-length sleeves.  It seems like the perfect throw-on cardi, and good “mindless” knitting too.  To help it stand up daily use, I’d use a superwash yarn.  I think it would show off variegated colorways nicely, so perhaps some Happy Feet DK? Colorway #59, “Gems,” is awfully pretty.

#2: Verdant

I’m drawn to this more for the interesting modified intarsia technique than anything else.  I think I’d be happiest with some gorgeous fall colors, even though this is the “spring” knitty. My favorite go-to lace yarn is Alpaca Cloud, but Knit Picks hasn’t released their 2011 colorways yet, so right now it’s slim pickings. I think I MIGHT make this wrap out of Palette … which would certainly provide a multitude of colors to choose from!

Main Color: Camel Heather

Leaves: Merlot Heather, Salsa Heather, Kumquat Heather, Autumn Heather,

 

#3: Susanna

I love complex cabled and/or lacy socks, and I also love crazy sock colorways.  It’s been a hard lesson, but I have learned over the last half-dozen years that these two loves rarely mix well.  For intricate socks like “Susanna” I will have to stay true to the design and choose a plain colorway that allows the pattern to come to the forefront.  Even a tonal colorway would be too much, but I think I could get away with a heathered color like Basalt Heather (Stroll).

#4: Rivercat

This sock, in contrast, can totally handle a tonal colorway.  I love the big jive-y lines and bold pattern. Since I am in love with Knit Picks Stroll Tonal, I’d pick up some Deep Waters and make this socks in a jiffy.

Ravelry Monday: Wren’s Trio of Properties, Dog Tea Cozy

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First Pick: Wren’s Trio of Properties, by Faye Kennington ($4.95)

At first glance, I thought this was a pattern for eyeball ornaments — maybe something Cthulu-esque?  But instead, they are felted birdhouses: at once more mundane and much more interesting. The designer based them on something she’d seen in a garden magazine, and that birds actually like them — so they are useful and decorative.

Second Pick: Dog Tea Cozy, by Rian Anderson ($4.00)

He may call this a “dog” tea cozy, but we all know which wonderful claymation dog he means: Gromit!!

I named my Border Collie “Gromit” because I love the show so much.  If only I drank tea out of pots, I would be making up this tea cozy in a heartbeat!  Maybe I will get the pattern anyway, and see if I can transform it into a soft toy …

Third Pick: Persinette, by Erica Lynne ($1.50)

Two clever headband patterns, knit icord-style over elastic! The flower is a perfect place to show off a beloved singleton button, too.

FO Friday: Arbuckle Hat

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1971 Arbuckle Hat

For Christmas this year, I gave seven gift certificates to close family members for a “Knit 4 U x Me” gift: they can choose from several suggestions, or ask for something else completely.  It’s a clever trick, because my giftees get exactly what they want, and I’m not swamped by Christmas knitting.

My Grandpa Bob made this request:

Commercial hat size is “large.” Measure is 22 1/2″.

Summer I’m a bill cap or straw, so best use a wool or such yarn.

Color wise? Hey, I’m color blind, an old dog, what-do-I-know dog.

This left a lot up to me! I wanted to use a pattern that was interesting without being too outlandish, but that my Grandpa could still appreciate.  I chose colors he could see, too. Superwash wool is a must for gifts, unless I’m sure the giftee knows how to care for wool and wants to do it.  Swish DK is exactly the right yarn for this  present.

1970 Arbuckle Hat

Project: Arbuckle Christmas Hat

Pattern: Arbuckle Hat

Designer: Alexis Winslow

Available: on Ravelry for just $2.00

Yarn: Knit Picks Swish DK in Marble Heather and Delft Heather (1 ball each)

I usually knit a bit larger than gauge, so I used the given needles in order to make a slightly larger-than-pattern hat.  Then I threw it in the washer and dryer, to make sure it could handle any rough care it might receive at it’s new home.  (If something will be ruined, I would rather do it myself and then try again.)  It felted just a tiny bit, and the garter edge wants to flip when it’s not on a head, but it survived admirably other than that. I deem it “good enough” to go to my Grandpa Bob.

1972 Arbuckle Hat

Cooperative Press Kickstart Campaign

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Help fund a great knitwear design company! Cooperative Press KickStart is on now!

One of the first places that accepted one of my patterns was Cooperative Press. My pattern for a baby girl sunsuit will be published in their “Fresh Designs: Baby” book, due out later this year. The photo shoot with child models hasn’t happened yet, but you can preview some of the great designs for grown-ups.  In the meantime, I’ll share a sneak peek of the prototype for my pattern:

0583 Susan at Canobie

The sample for the book is made of gorgeous McClellen Fingering in Isolde by Three Irish Girls.  The yarn was a joy to work with, soft and squishy with subtle color variations.

0877 Isolde McClellan Fingering

For anyone who doesn’t already know, Cooperative Press is Shannon Okey‘s publishing company. It focuses on fiber arts-related books, and is set up to benefit the designers and authors as much as the publisher. She is publishing both known and “emerging” designers, and she is a leader in the world of indie knitwear design. CP has over 20 books on contract, including the upcoming Fresh Designs series. (I can’t wait to get my hands on What Would Madame Defarge Knit?, which is headed up by Heather Ordover, podcaster extraordinaire.

Of course all this costs money — no getting around it.  Right now, you can make a huge difference by joining the KickStarter campaign for Fresh Designs. Every dollar counts, of course, but starting at $10 there are cool prizes at every level of donation.   (If I had money to burn, I’d totally donate $1500!! Wow.)

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1559246367/cooperative-press-indie-fiber-fashion-publishing/widget/video.html

Ravelry Monday: Eomer Shield Tam, Pineapple Delight, Starboard Cape

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First Pick: Eomer Shield Tam, by KYMaggie ($3.50)

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!  This pattern uses stranded colorwork and cables to re-create in yarn a beautiful design from the Lord of the Rings.  I think I might depart from the official Rohan colorway — the design uses 7 colors, maybe deep purple, bright sky blue, and silvery gray?

Second Pick: Pineapple Delight, by Larissa Valeeva (FREE!)

What a stunning (and FREE!) pattern! I am thinking of using this with my new Zauberball skein, but I would have to do a shorter version as I don’t have quite enough yardage.  This is worked provisionally downwards for the main lace color, then upwards with short rows to make the top.  The second PDF (with “en” at the end) is in English, even though the title is in Russian.

Third Pick: Starboard Cape, by Courtney Kelley (available in Knitscene, Summer 2011)

This little sleeved capelet is so darn CUTE.  It makes me think of Mad Men for some reason — just the thing for an office girl to wear?

FO Friday: Social Network Socks

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This was the first of six shipments in the 2011 Rockin’ Sock Club.  This is my second year as a Notorious Sock Knitter.  I really enjoy the “surprise” aspect of being in a sock club, but even more, I love the challenge of being open to new colors and (this year especially!) new color combinations. Left to my own devices, I would likely knit lovely things in shades of green/blue/purple for the rest of time. Sometimes it’s good to knit outside my normal color scheme, and a sock club is the perfect way to do this.  The January shipment (above) had two skeins, and two colorwork patterns to go with them. At first glance, it was “interesting” but certainly not within my usual corner of the color wheel!

I chose a pattern and got to work.  They have been my “steady in the background” project for a while.  Because the yarn is mediumweight, they worked up quickly, even with very little concentrated knitting time. I finished second sock the same day that the March 2011 shipment arrived … I can’t WAIT until it’s cool to share photos! Talk about colorful. (The club has rules to protect overseas subscribers from being spoiled.)

Project: Jan 2011 RSC Socks

Pattern: Social Network

Designer: Lucy Neatby

Available: to club members now (join up! it’s fun!) and to the general public in 2012

Yarn: BMFA Socks That Rock Mediumweight in Aubergenius  and Pinkie Swear

These are socks for lounging, not for shoes.  Cushy garter-stitch heels and toes, plus the sturdy two-color cable-net pattern, and the slipped-stitch cuff, all mean these socks practically stand up on their own! I’m reminded of Dr. Seuss’s story with the “pair of pale green pants with nobody inside them.”

That story scared the bejesus out of me as a kid, even though the whole point was that you needn’t be scared.  Frankly, I thought that story was terrifying, and the pictures only made it worse. Somehow my stand-up-alone socks don’t rate as scary though.

1941 Social Network socks

Fantasy Queue: Spring 2011 Interweave Knits

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A month or so ago, I got an offer from IK that I couldn’t refuse: a year’s worth of subscription, plus the special issue, for just over $20.  You had me at hello! At that price, I only need to use one pattern from each issue to make it worth the purchase price.  Of course I want to make many more things from each issue, so here is my fantasy queue, where price of yarn and time to knit do not factor in.

Oh, one quick thing … based on the yarn review in the magazine, I just ordered a skein of Misti Alpaca Tonos Pima Silk in the “Bahama” colorway, because it just sounds so divine. I’ll let you know if it lives up to the description.

#1 — Echo Reversible Drop-Stitch Moebius (p.18)

Big cables and dramatic dropped stitches worked in chunky yarn on #13 needles — wow! Imagine it in Classic Elite Forbidden — 100% Cashmere! — in the creamy-mocha Caffe colorway.

#2 — En Pointe Pullover (p. 20)

I know spring is all about warm, bright colors this year, but I would still err on the side of caution and choose something more neutral for such a big piece.  What about Alpaca Cloud in Smoke Heather? It may not have the drape of a linen blend, but it is still awfully nice — and one of my favorite lace-weight yarns to boot.

 

#3 — Swirl Crop Jacket (p. 24)

I think I’d use Gloss DK for this one … cozier, and still a crisp yarn with a nice sheen.  Again, I’m not sure I’m up for hot pink.  Instead, I’d go for the still-startling Peapod colorway.

 

#4 — Ruched Yoke Tee – Adult (p. 94)

I’m drawn to the ruching in this one, and the high armholes.  Too often summer sweaters or tees seem to be designed with going bra-less in mind.  I know most models can get away with that, but middle-aged moms of three boys, each breastfed in their turn, do not as a rule go outside the house without a bra holding everything firmly in place.  (You could put an eye out!) I think I might try using CEY Cotton Bam Boo for this one — perhaps in Willow? Bam Boo is sportweight (not DK) so there would be some serious swatching to be done ahead of time.

 

Ravelry Monday: Fig Leaf, Zylphia Cowl, and Heartland Road Trip Tote

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First Pick: Fig Leaf, by Lykkefanten (FREE!)

This one cracks me up! This pattern is begging for some yarn-bombing — more than just tree cozies! Very funny.

Second Pick: Zylphia Cowl, by Stephannie Tallent ($6.00)

This very pretty lace cowl is irresistible.  I tech edited it for the designer, and then immediately cast on.

Third Pick: Heartland Road Trip Tote, by Kerin Dimeler-Laurence ($32.99 for kit, at Knit Picks)

Amazing intarsia! Almost enough to hook me back in … I swore off intarsia in the past, but I really want this bucolic scene!

FO Friday: Yet Another Harry Potter Scarf

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This Friday, I’m proud to say that I finished the Harry Potter scarf I’ve been working on since January! This is my third time doing one of these.  This one is for a friend-of-a-friend who is going through some tough times … I have to admit, I had a hard time motivating myself to do yet more stockinette, but I designated this project as my penance knitting about two weeks ago, and that did the trick.  Poof, done!

1865 HP scarf the third

Project: Harry Potter Scarf

Designer: (I copied from the movie stills)

Available: short-hand directions below!

Yarn: Knit Picks Swish Worsted in Hollyberry and Gold

1864 HP scarf the third

Short directions:

  • Cast on 70 sts (use Judy’s Magic Cast On)
  • YO at both edges on first round — this will be the sit of your slipped-st edge
  • work in the round in stockinette, slipping the edge sts every other round (except, after a 3-row CC stripe, just knit the MC around with no slipped sts)
  • Stripes like this:
    • 26 rounds MC
    • 3 rounds CC
    • 6 rounds MC
    • 3 rounds CC
  • repeat stripes 13 times, then do 26 more rounds of MC
  • end by ktog the edge sts on one last round, then kitchener together
  • fringe like this:
    • 12-in strands
    • each bundle: 3 MC and 1 CC
    • attach every other st

1863 HP scarf the third

Pattern: Bike Helmet Earwarmers

Designer: Amy O’Neill Houck

Available: FREE! on ravelry

Yarn: Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Worsted in Dynamite Blue

Tips and Tricks: pult stitch in “Knit Your Own Dog”

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This post was inspired by a reader who posted on my FO Friday entry about my Toy Gromit, made from the Border Collie pattern in Knit Your Own Dog by Joanna Osborne and Sally Muir.

Emily says …

I have the same book and am working on the Scottie dog. I cannot for the life of me figure out the “pult” stitch. Could you help me? I’m pretty sure all the dogs had this stitch in them.

I feel her pain!  All (?) of the dog patterns in this book use this stitch at the end of short-row shaping in the head sections. It helps close the holes created by short rows, so the stuffing doesn’t show through.  I’ve done a lot of short rows in my time, mostly in sock heels and toes, but this pult stitch was new to me. At first I wasn’t sure how to do it, but I muddled through and got reasonable results.  I’m not promising that I’m doing it right of course–only that this is what worked for me.

Here is the description of the stitch from the book:

pult pick up loop below next st on left needle by inserting tip of right needle from back of work through loop–this stops a hole forming when turning work–then turn, leaving rem (number stated) sts on left needle unworked

There are a few key bits:

  1. First is identifying the loop to be picked up. In Cat Bordhi terms (from her video on lifted increases), we are focusing on the “mother” of the first stitch on the left needle.
  2. Second is making sure to pick up it correctly: poke the right needle into that mother stitch from back to front, and leave it on the right needle.
  3. Third is turning the work without losing any stitches. This is trickier than it sounds. Trust me.
  4. Fourth is making sure to follow the directions for the next row correctly–every time the pult is used, the first thing on the next row is a k2tog or a p2tog, which joins the picked-up loop with the first st of the row.  This ensures that the stitch count stays constant–no stitches are created or destroyed in the use of this short-row technique.

So, without further delay, here is my video of my interpretation of this technique:

One thing I would like to try is using some other short-row technique, and see if I like the results. I usually just “wrap and turn” and then work the wraps together with the wrapped stitch.  Maybe when I make my next toy dog!