This video touched my heart. It's informative and beautiful.Watch Video
Monday, 18 January 2016
Classic Elite Inca Alpaca
I'm loving every minute of knitting with the color Cajamaica Maroon of Classic Elite's Inca Alpaca (my favorite Alpaca of all times.) It is silky smooth and a joy to knit with. It runs through your fingers like a precious, magical fiber. It is strong, durable, soft and airy and doesn't pill. This photo shows off the complex heathered colors in this shade. It was taken in filtered sunlight. In low light the yarn looks like a glass of dark cabernet sauvignon. LOVE.
Old Norwegian Cast On
I've found myself in a "cast on" obsession lately. All of a sudden I feel that each new project demands new cast on techniques, sometimes two in a project. You don't want the same cast on for a ribbed cuff that you do for a buttonhole right? So I've flipped through my reference books (yes I know, books... But I'm old school) and searched online for knitters favorites. I found an excellent tutorial by Joan of Laws of Knitting that is easy to follow, quick, and fun to watch. She speaks so clearly and explains in a way that makes you want to wiggle into a chair at her table and start knitting.
The Old Norwegian Cast On is an easy transition for those knitters who love doing Long Tail Cast On. Just a few changes to the basic movements and you're left with a stretchy cast on that is still well behaved. It has a nice edge to it but is so super stretchy that it's great for socks and even lace. I first used this for a pair of socks and fell in love. Well doesn't that look pretty? And stretchy! So I ventured out and after three rows of a lace pullover done with the lace cast on, I ripped it out and started over with Old Norwegian Cast On. Again. Joan to the rescue (I don't always commit to memory a new cast on after one or two watchings).
This cast on was perfect for the lace pullover! So here it is.... A link to Joan's video of how to do the Old Norwegian Cast On. I hope you enjoy.
Joan's Old Norwegian Cast On
The Old Norwegian Cast On is an easy transition for those knitters who love doing Long Tail Cast On. Just a few changes to the basic movements and you're left with a stretchy cast on that is still well behaved. It has a nice edge to it but is so super stretchy that it's great for socks and even lace. I first used this for a pair of socks and fell in love. Well doesn't that look pretty? And stretchy! So I ventured out and after three rows of a lace pullover done with the lace cast on, I ripped it out and started over with Old Norwegian Cast On. Again. Joan to the rescue (I don't always commit to memory a new cast on after one or two watchings).
This cast on was perfect for the lace pullover! So here it is.... A link to Joan's video of how to do the Old Norwegian Cast On. I hope you enjoy.
Joan's Old Norwegian Cast On
Saturday, 9 January 2016
New Website
Visit the new website for more patterns and links to instructional tutorials from some of the most helpful knitters.
Happy Knitting!
Carrying the Torch for Non-Superwash Wool
I admire well-behaved, orderly yarns. Yarns that remain true after washing and blocking are a joy. They retain their shape, colors and substance. These are the yarns that created the sweaters that have been in my closet for years and years, decades even. They may not feel the softest in the yarn shop, but they produce durable, near perfect garments. Most soften with age after multiples washes.
I recently wore a turtleneck, wool sweater that I knitted in 1994 from a Jaeger wool tweed that I always wore as an outdoor sweater, over a soft cotton turtleneck. I slipped it over a long-sleeve t-shirt the other day, with the bulky wool against my neck, and worked all day without fussing with the turtleneck once. It had softened to the point that I could wear it next to my skin.
At one stage, I fell in love with super soft, superwash wool. The dumpling balls were fun to squish in the store, were super soft and fluffy. But after being left with a pile of limp, wet yarn that grew uncontrollably, my love affair dwindled. Then the pilling began, and the shapeshifting. Even after washing and blocking swatches. I still find that most superwash wools develop a mind of their own. Sometimes a sweater fits perfectly, then months later the sleeves decide to grow another 3 inches in length. I can't blame the yarn really. It's all that manipulation and treatment that zaps the elasticity right out of the wool.
It's almost hard to find pure wool. It doesn't get all the attention that the new blends receive. But it's there, of course, steadfastly occupying it's stable piece of yarn shelf real estate. When I find a pure, wool, I smile, knowing that I will have an obedient, loyal friend. It will stay put. It will fit. It will look great. It will repel water. It will breathe. It will keep me warm, now and years to come. Best of all, it will behave.
I recently wore a turtleneck, wool sweater that I knitted in 1994 from a Jaeger wool tweed that I always wore as an outdoor sweater, over a soft cotton turtleneck. I slipped it over a long-sleeve t-shirt the other day, with the bulky wool against my neck, and worked all day without fussing with the turtleneck once. It had softened to the point that I could wear it next to my skin.
At one stage, I fell in love with super soft, superwash wool. The dumpling balls were fun to squish in the store, were super soft and fluffy. But after being left with a pile of limp, wet yarn that grew uncontrollably, my love affair dwindled. Then the pilling began, and the shapeshifting. Even after washing and blocking swatches. I still find that most superwash wools develop a mind of their own. Sometimes a sweater fits perfectly, then months later the sleeves decide to grow another 3 inches in length. I can't blame the yarn really. It's all that manipulation and treatment that zaps the elasticity right out of the wool.
It's almost hard to find pure wool. It doesn't get all the attention that the new blends receive. But it's there, of course, steadfastly occupying it's stable piece of yarn shelf real estate. When I find a pure, wool, I smile, knowing that I will have an obedient, loyal friend. It will stay put. It will fit. It will look great. It will repel water. It will breathe. It will keep me warm, now and years to come. Best of all, it will behave.
Wednesday, 20 May 2015
Fantastic Custom Labels
I found Ikaprint on Etsy (don't you just LOVE Etsy) and placed an order through their website. They produce custom labels of AMAZING quality. You can upload text, see how it looks on your screen, and order everything online. It takes about a month to receive the labels but considering that they ship from France, the whole process is relatively quick. They offer labels with a fold line at the bottom, so the top two raw edges can be stitched into a seam, especially useful if your knitting skills are better than your sewing skills. You could put care instructions on the back if you'd like. I tell everyone to "hand wash/lay flat to dry" all of the hand knits, but a reminder on the label isn't such a bad idea.
www.ikaprint.com
I'd love to see your labels if anyone has a favorite!
www.ikaprint.com
I'd love to see your labels if anyone has a favorite!
Tuesday, 12 May 2015
Summer Seed Tank
This easy-to-knit tank top features an all over seed stitch which provides enough texture so the tank top can be worn without a bra. The straight, easy design is flattering, easy to wear and easy to knit. Without shaping, sleeves nor neckline finishing, this knits up quickly and is a great project for the warmer weather. The combination of tween cotton and seed stitch makes for a nicely textured fabric which supports the jagged or "stepping" look of the front and back neckline edges. 
Skill Level - EasySizes: Women's XS (S, M, L, XL) (Shown in Size XS)
Finished bust sizes 29 (32, 36, 40, 44)" or 74 (82, 92, 102, 112) cm
Yarn: 2 (2, 3, 3, 3) balls Kraemer Tatamy Tweed DK (pictured in color Cherry) or 500 (500, 750, 750, 750) yards of DK weight cotton/acrylic blend.
Needles: US Size 4 (3.5 mm)
Gauge: 21 sts & 33 rows = 4"/10 cm over seed stitch
Other Materials: Stitch holders
This fun pattern is available as a downloadable PDF for $3.99.
For more pattern details: Link to Pattern
To start knitting now:Click here to BUY NOW
At your service! As always, my email is included in the pattern, so if you have any questions while knitting, please email me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)