More Swatches
No really...swatches are all I'm knitting these days. I've probably explained this before, but for me a book usually goes 1) have an idea, 2) source yarn, 3) swatch and write patterns, 4) send yarn and patterns off to magical stunt knitters to turn into projects, 5) get the patterns into proper book format and have them edited, 6) get projects back and take photos, 7) more editing, 8) printing. Now there's more to it than that (I left out the traditional 'all my ideas are crap' crisis that invariably happens somewhere in the middle), and there's some overlap (for [...]
Good Mail (once again!)
So when I told you the yarn for Curls 3 was going to be awesome, I really did mean it! I don't think I've ever assembled quite such a colorful bunch, but I'm totally loving it! Here we've got Tibetan Dream by Bijou Spun in Lilac Ombre (this is the yarn I showed you when we talked about how to get the kinks out of caked yarn...take a look at this and compare it to the pictures in that post to see what a difference it makes). And this is Silky Victoraia by Blue Moon Fiber Arts in Sugar Plum [...]
Armored
I told you there would be some lacy business coming up, and you know I'm not the type to lead you astray (temptation, yes; astray, no)! I suppose the pattern on this one may be a tiny bit too small scale to truly scratch the lace itch, but the result totally feels lacy to me. Elle, sample knitter extraordinaire, said it reminds her of chain mail, which I totally get. I sort of love the idea of a little wisp of knitting (and this is a silk/yak blend by Bijou Basin...wispy is exactly the word for it) as armor against [...]
Unwrapped
Now that the books with goody bags have found their way to their new homes, I wanted to do a little post to show everyone what was in there (seriously, I've been getting questions from folks asking). If you're one of the folks who is waiting to open your package for some reason and doesn't want the surprise spoiled, you should run away now! Now, my natural inclination was to fill these things with a bit of actual glitter. But because that would have led to swearing and cursing of my name (not to mention vacuuming...and who needs more of [...]
A Piece of Scrap Yarn
You know that line in a lot of my mitt patterns? The one that says 'set thumb stitches aside on a spare needle or piece of scrap yarn?' Yeah, I'd really sort of suggest you take the piece of spare yarn option. I know that means you have to dig out a bit of extra yarn (hint, don't use the yarn you're knitting with, use a nice thick one of a different color) and a needle, and sometimes that's too much of a pain, but if you can, it's the best choice. Why? Two reasons. First, when you try [...]
Educational
Let's talk yarn. The yarn I'm using on the current mitts is Bijou Basin Tibetan Dream Sock Yarn. It's 85% yak down, 15% nylon, and working with it has been a bit of a learning experience. Now, let's get this part in right up front. The reason it took me a little while to get comfortable with this yarn is that it is made from a fiber I've not used before. It's not that there's anything wrong with the yarn, it's that it was new to me and I didn't know how it would behave. My ignorance is not the [...]
Now With Less Drama
Hi pinterest folks, if you're looking for this pattern, it's called Brigand and it's available in Ne'er-Do-Well Knits on ravelry! Yesterday's escapades didn't really show off the work to its best advantage. The picture of Millie--lost over the fence, pitched into the snow--has its charms, but it doesn't do much for the knitting. So, just for clarity, I'll offer here a somewhat more detailed look at the stitches. You'll note that Millie is nowhere near the fence. You may also notice that this is post-rinse (not quite a full on proper blocking, but just a bit of a rinse and [...]
Never a Good Sign
If I show you a bit of knitting, and it doesn't have needles in it, you can pretty safely guess that knitting is about to go on to its greater reward. This is no exception. This yarn (Bijou Basin Tibetan Dream Sock Yarn) is trying to teach me some things. I've not quite mastered what it has to show me, so we're still working through our lessons. I have a sneaking suspicion it will be worth it in the end though, and learning is good for you, right?
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