Starting with a Bang

     2014 started with a knitting bang here, or rather the finishing started so, as I blocked two projects on New Year's Day.  My Scottish wool Long Collared Jacket finally made it onto my back.  It arrived there a bit later than it's Thanksgiving due date but I'm thankful for it now as baby, it's cold outside!

     

     If you follow the blog, you know I've knit this one before, having had the pleasure of working with Cully at Schoolhouse Press on test knitting the model in  EZ's Knit One, Knit All.  It's a great design and I see that Schoolhouse Press has just release SPP 51, the Elizabeth Zimmermann Coat that looks like it could be a sister to this one.  More knitting to come...

     I do love the fit on the body but I think I could have made the sleeves a bit more fitted and definitely shorter.  I also found that the three-needle bind off at the shoulder and the "attach as you knit" back neck did not have enough stability for the weight of this yarn in garter stitch; the shoulders were drooping and the collar was flattening out, not sitting snug and close around my neck.  Seeking stability, I took up a crochet hook and worked a slipped-stitch chain (yep, I can do that much crochet!) on the inside of the shoulder seam from the sleeve to the neck, filling up the gap from the three-needle bind off.  I  picked up a whole stitch of the jacket fabric from the bind-off gap for each chain stitch.  It works beautifully, giving the seam structure while still being flexible. There's no pucker at the sleeve cap or on the shoulder seam.  Can't even see it from the outside.

 
     I also blocked the Irish Diamond Shawl variation.  I modified it to be about 50% smaller than the original and used a yummy DK yarn, Sylvan Spirit from Green Mountain Spinnery, in the color Sterling.  The finished shawl came out to be about 30% percent smaller than the original because I used the larger gauge yarn; with the original yarn I'd have gotten a half-sized shawl.  Little Irish Diamond is going to be a favorite shawl around here, I can tell already.  I'm not smiling like this for nothing!

     "How did she do it?"  I can hear knitters ask.  Well for those of you with access to a copy of Folk Shawls, it's a breeze.  If you can join me for the Irish Diamond Shawl Workshop at Knit Knack in Arvada on January 26th, we can get it going for you there.  Just give the ladies at Knit Knack a call for details   For all the rest of you, here's how.....

 Little Irish Diamond Variation

     Using the pattern for the original Irish Diamond Shawl in Folk Shawls, cast on and work as written  through row 8 of Lace pattern 1, then repeat rows 1-8 of Lace Pattern 1 seven more times (instead of 13).  Then work the four rows of Eyelet 1 as written (ending with a wrong-side row), and begin Lace pattern 2, working rows 119 (RS) through 138 once.  Finally work rows 159-163 and end with the Garter Stitch border, as written.  Block and enjoy!

    I got the new website up this week, too.  The 2014 Knitaway® in the Studio dates are posted there along with online ordering for all the yarns.  You can also subscribe to my newsletter.  Technology is amazing.
     Happy New Year!
   


  

Downover Shawl

      At the Knitaway® in the Studio  last month we focused on triangular shawls and specifically on knitting in all directions and with many shaping methods.  The project for the workshop was the Downover Shawl, the pattern for which is now up in the Ravelry shop.  

 

Downover gets its name from a non-traditional construction, being made of one triangle that is knit from the top DOWN and one triangle that is knit up and worked sideways OVER to the tip.  Downover is knit in garter stitch with two-row stripes which highlight the shaping of a shawl.  While it sounds very straightforward, it got to be a curious knit when I encountered what appeared to be a mathematical anomaly, a hitch in the arithmetic, of figuring out the relationship of the picked up stitches in Triangle I to the knitted row in Triangle I.  Let me explain.
      One of the beauties of garter stitch is that it is square in a very good way; the number of stitches  equals the number of ridges in the fabric.  You could point out that a ridge is two rows and so the actual gauge is twice as many rows to the number of stitches in an inch, and I would have to agree.  The gauge of garter stitch is not square, the fabric is.  Due to the fact that garter stitch pulls up and condenses itself so nicely, two rows equal one ridge and therefore the number of stitches is the same as number of ridges (rows divided by two) in any given inch.  Makes life so easy when designing garments with garter stitch.  Need to pick up stitches along an edge?  Well then, picking up one stitch per ridge will give you the perfect number to create a proportionately fitting match;  there's none of this pick up two-thirds or three-quarters of the stitches, as is necessary with stockinette stitch, in order to avoid having a ruffled border or gathered sleeve.
    Knowing all this, I merrily picked up the stitches for Triangle II along the ridges of Triangle I, getting exactly the same number of stitches as the number of ridges, and figuring that if I decreased one stitch per ridge at the bottom edge, I'd end up with a symmetrically shaped shawl, knit in one piece and in two directions.  So neat, so tidy.  So wrong.
     As I decreased along, one stitch per ridge, Triangle II began to disappear much too quickly and at a disconcertingly steep angle.  Bummer. Rip out, Try again.  Where the decreases are placed can affect the shaping, even in good old square garter stitch, so I tried a couple more times, altering the placement and rate of the decreases.  Nope, not working.
      Ripping out once more (which comes with the territory of designing on the needles) I went online to consult with Pythagoras.  My reasoning was sound and my planning was confirmed by that ancient Greek master of triangles.  Then it dawned on me.  The edge I was picking up along was indeed made up of garter stitch ridges but these were ridges on the bias.

 

 Bias is a weird monkey in woven fabric and so it proves to be in garter stitch.  With this new realization, I used a sample piece to try out a couple more ideas for stitch number and decrease rate and found that the solution was simple and beautiful, elegant in fact, in a most scientific sense.  Are you ready?  Pick up the same number of stitches as rows and then decrease one stitch at the bottom edge every other ridge (every 4th row).  With the two-row (color "A" and "B") stripes, that means all decreases are done in the same color, making it even easier to remember where to decrease;  there is only one option, decrease at the beginning of the row every time you change to color "A".  If this sounds complex, worry not.  The knitting of Downover is a breeze.

Mini Downover Shawl from Knitaway® workshop

      Triangle II ended up with a lovely slope and a dramatically long tail.  Most importantly it had a fabulous fit and feel.  It was not what I expected, but it was more pleasing than what I had imagined and is a perfect example of why "designing on the needles" often creates more interesting detail than just designing on paper.  I am constantly amazed at how beautifully things work out when you allow them to become what they can be and refrain from forcing them to be "just" what you envision them to be.  Better than a nice symmetrical triangular shawl, Downover is asymmetrical and much more interesting.  In addition, the tension of the stitches picked up along the bias edge also adds a most flirtatious curve to the center back.  Another serendipitous gift.
      So by chance and through persistence a shawl was born.  I've got more ideas and designs brewing from this as garter stitch on the bias intrigues both my shawl-loving self and my inner geek.  Hope you enjoy it too, in the Downover Shawl.

Denver Alpaca Fiesta!

     If you are in town this weekend check out the Denver Fiber Fiesta.  Loads of outstanding alpaca animals and some lovely yarn and fibers too.  Educational, entertaining, and stash enhancing.  And did I mention it's free?   It's at the National Western Stock Show complex in the events center.  Even the parking was free yesterday when the Knitaway knitters made the scene.

 

    We got an education in what makes for a prize winning alpaca by just watching the judging of the classes.  There are obstacle course, trekking, events and even a costumed alpaca event.   As one of the Knitaway Knitters declared, this alpaca party was an ELB, an Extra Life Bonus.  Do go take a look if you can.   Get yourself some ELB energy.

Session II, a snowy start

      Another spring storm blanketed the Studio Garden yesterday, just in time for the Knitaway Session II knitters to arrive.  It was the best kind of snow though, wet and beautiful but not sticking on the pavement.  Just enough to grace the grape hyacinth with chilly frosting.  White rain.

    Here's a glimpse of  the Studio right before the knitters arrived.  I love my knitting corner, especially when the room is filled with other knitters.   It's warm and cozy in here today and I look forward to some lively knitting with this charming group.   Oh! and the sun is brightly shining,

    The Studio space certainly embraces a smaller number of knitters than the old Knitaways used to draw.  I have to admit that I am liking the the new, more intimate dynamic.  The good old days of 25 lovely knitters taking over a lodge were fantastic, no mistake about it. Great memories.  Now though, with seven Knitaway knitters in each session, I can actually spend time with each one and get a feel for what they are knitting.  Plus it's never really been my style to need a megaphone (or a sound system) to share the gentle topic of knitting.  Just sayin'.  Different times, different Knitaway...change is very good.
     Can you tell I'm happy in my work?  Now....  Let the Shetland Shawls begin!

Knitaway Days Fly By!

      Here are some photo highlights of the last couple days of the Knitaway in the Studio.  We studied Shetland Shawls, explored favorite LYS's, shared knitting triumphs and challenges, and enjoyed so much more.  What a talented and inspiring group of knitters!  Take a look.....

Claudia's fun.....

and Intarsia wow!

Beautiful treats

Bob's collection of toys by Susan B. Anderson

Jayne admiring Jo's Ice Queen design by Romi


And then....

Jo choosing yarn for a Highland Triangle Shawl

Oh!  More treats!

Jayne's bag find at Knit Knack

And Rosy's Icelandic Wonder

My conclusion?   Sweet Knitaway days simply fly by too quickly.... 

Happiness in the New Year

     Here are some swatches I've done recently for the Shetland shawl projects that we'll be working with at the spring sessions of the Knitaway® in the Studio.  Choosing lace patterns for a new shawl is one of the things that makes me really happy.

     On this first day of the new year I like to make a list of all those things that create joy in my life.  These are not resolutions, though I do resolve to spend more time in the pursuit of happiness, but it is more about bringing my attention back again to just what being happy means.  It's a good practice for me and one that just on it's own seems to expand my joyous mood.  The Dalai Lama XIV, one of my go to sources for wisdom on happiness, said:

                        “Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.”

     What is even better is that finding your own happiness is an act of kindness to everyone.  When we each are happier, the world itself is a more joyous place.  You make a beautiful difference with each smile.

     For your new year I wish for you the gifts of considering and finding those actions that fill you with the most happiness and loads of time to spend pursuing them. 

     Happy New Year! 
                                                             

Knitaway...the days

  
     The fourth day of the Knitaway® has arrived and the last three have been filled with techniques and excitement.  What an incredible group of knitters here at the Studio!  They are  keeping me on my toes finding more and more  to teach them and the flow of learning is constant and strong.  Whew!  This is good knitting!
     I demonstrated for the group yet another very stretchy bind off and wanted to share it with you all too.  It is a favorite of mine created by a friend and fellow knitter on Ravelry, Beyenburgerin.  It makes a flexible and decorative edging that many really like on garter stitch.   I use it when ever I want the bind off to really make a statement, have a presence and still be flexible. I call it the BBBO and it goes like this:

*K2 tog, place yarn in front of the left needle, slip the new stitch (the one just made by k2 tog) back onto the left needle with the yarn still in front, place yarn back behind the left needle;  repeat from *.

     You have actually wrapped the yarn around the base of the k2 tog and then you proceed.  The wrapping gives the bind off more stretch and a lovely decorative, "corded " appearance.  I blocked the edge out into points in the photo so you can see how flexible the BBBO really is, with lots of give  to suit the shawl's expansion.
     And what does BBBO stand for you might ask?  Well for Brigitte's Brilliant Bind Off of course!

The Knitting was Beautiful

Here's a glimpse of the beauties that appeared at session II of the 2011 Knitaway® in the Studio. Another amazing group of knitters and some very special days to remember.  I'm still flying from the great energy and inspiration we've all shared over the last few weeks. 
Dates for the 2012 Knitaways are dates to be posted soon, with both spring and fall sessions in the plans. 

Wendy's Lace

The Knitting was beautiful.
Hope to see you here in the Studio in the near future.

Sue's Dale (brought by daughter Leslie, also a knitter extraordinaire)

Rosie's Lily of the Valley

Where did the time go?

    We had the our last meeting of Session I of the October Knitaway in the Studio yesterday.  The days simply flew by, filled with a yarn shop tour on Friday,  daily show and tell by the talented knitters, and our Nazo vest workshop. Demos and ideas flew around the room like the little birds at the garden feeder. Four days of knitting inspiration, fabulous companions, and chocolate....did I mention chocolate?
      Now the Session I knitters are wending their way homeward (I miss them already) and Session II will be starting this Wednesday (ok!).  

 I believe that knitting together creates a time warp, a lovely, warm, enticing, time warp... and so many warm memories.

Notes from the Knitaway. Day Two

Al's Ribbon

Corridale  Beauty

Award winning knitters have appeared in this Knitaway session. Just wanted to share a couple of detail shots of the gorgeous work they are sharing in show and tell. 

  And today another morning of knitting and then our yarn shop tour.  It's looking to be a fabulous day at the Knitaway.

Carolyn's Cape

Knitaway on the horizon....

   

Less than two weeks until Session I of the Knitaway® in the Studio.

The knitting bowl is ready to assist in demonstrations,

 

and the yarns and fibers are collecting themselves.

 

   Just a few more days.... I'm trying hard to be patient and enjoy the anticipation.  Thank goodness I have knitting and spinning to keep me busy until then.

 

Not only the leaves......

Last October the vines in our little garden were most beautiful.  The tenacity of the English ivy intertwined with the changing hues of post-frost virginia creeper made a gorgeous tapestry of color. Reds and green dancing around shadows of purple and blue. Delicious!  Today, while the sub-zero temperatures keep icicles hanging where these vines were last autumn, I've been thinking about October next and wondering what lovely sights the garden will hold for us.......... 

You might see them too.  Please join me this October for the Knitaway® in The Studio where we'll enjoy three full days of knitting workshop along with some special treats and surprises as well.  Plans are being finalized and registration will open on the website soon.  I'll definitely let you know all about it.  I'm very excited!