Still in Love with Color

It has been a long time since true posting has occurred. What are we doing my lovely co-blogger, that we can't even bear to take a few minutes to post refreshing and provocative insights about our fiber exploits? Alas, such sad things occur in the life of such busy ladies.

Although blogging about it has not occurred, the knitting has certainly continued onward with little interruption. Lately, I have been involved in projects that reawaken my simple joys. I once waxed poetic about my love of color. Well, when my roommate (beautiful, wonderful, lovely, fantastic, gorgeous roommate!) gave me a gift card to Knit Picks for Christmas, I was truly excited. My original intention was to purchase a knitty knotty, or some other useful tool. Then, Knit Picks unleashed their new line, Chroma. This new yarn line features beautifully variegated yarns that have large color repeats that blend softly into the next color. I found myself drooling in a less than polite fashion as I scrolled through the colorways. There is always some controversy surrounding this site, but I can't help but say they have some excellent products. Every time I looked, my eyes kept flicking back to the Roller Skate colorway. An explosion of rainbow shades, except replacing the red with a deep magenta pink, and splashing in some aqua for the finale. I knew this yarn must be mine, but what to make?

To ravelry queue! (insert epic travel music). It only took me a few pages to find the exact project I sought. The Ondine: Sleeves For a Mermaid by Erssie Major. These gorgeous sleeves have been sitting in my queue for an exquisitely long time due to lack of an appropriate yarn and the fact that I had to pay for it. Still, the price is pretty reasonable, and the pattern was well worth it. And my roller skate chroma? Did it live up to fantastic expectations? Oh baby you bet it did! Soft to the touch, easy to work with, and the colors are absolutely perfect. Can't contain my love for excellent saturated colors all working beautifully together.

Some Do Some Good Photos

Knitmore Girls are running a contest, and I would like to be able to get some photos into the thread so that everyone can see the awesome work of these kids!

Some Amendments and Some Awesome

I know I gave my summer knitting list, but it has since experienced some reordering. I was going to knit some Slippery socks out of the yarn I bought at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. Then, along came the Knitmore Girls and their ridiculously addictive Knit Alongs. 

When I first looked at the Brandywine Shawl by Rosemary Hill, I will admit to being a little unimpressed. I am not usually a triangle shawl girl, and it involved paying for the pattern. I am very picky about what I choose to make, and I am even more persnickety if I have to pay for the pattern.  Still, the more I looked at it, the more I began to think it might be pretty, perhaps even beautiful. Everyone was raving about how great the pattern was, and with my intention to knit a complex shawl later (Tree of Light) I began thinking it might be wise to get back into the groove of lace knitting with something a little less intense. The final straw was when I realized that the majority of what I paid for the pattern was going to Help for Hati. I love designers who use their patterns to benefit people other than themselves. I knew that I would use the Festival sock yarn because it was just too perfect to hide in shoes. It screamed to be worn about my neck in all its lacy glory.

 I am happy to say this is the quickest knit I have done in a while, and it came out beautifully as evidenced by the picture. Not only did everyone in the KAL give me lovely compliments on it, but there was an extra surprise. The Knitmore Girls did a random surprise giveaway of the designer's new ebook 7 Small Shawls. This is an awesome prize, gifted generously by the designer herself. For more information on this awesome ebook,  you can go here 7 Small Shawls.  I was so happy to find that out I actually squealed like a two year old. As for the shawl itself, I am so happy that this beauty is finished, and I can wear it to a sad event so that it will comfort and bolster me with all its orangey goodness.

Summer Knitting!

I am so happy it's summer. Usually, I approach summer with some slight distaste because I really hate hot weather and I don't like being away from school so long. Knittingwise, I am not much of a lightweight yarn person. I like warm sweaters, thick scarves, and wool socks. While socks work out well for summer knitting, the other two do not always handle themselves well in this season. However, this summer is proving very different in terms of my attitude. I am absolutely exhausted, and I am beyond grateful to be resting for the next month before I start work. I am also looking forward to knitting much more than I usually do. I have some lovely projects that just scream to happen this summer. On with the list then?

-Finishing my man's sweater is a huge priority. I know I just talked about the silliness of knitting thick sweaters in summer, but that is what basements and AC are for, no?

-Finishing my Mondo Cable Cardigan for my Knit More Along. It is pretty close to finished, and if I keep it off my lap it should not make me terribly overheated.

-Finishing my Tranquility Socks in the Twisted pattern by Jodie Gordon Lucas (Knitty Spring+Summer 2010). I am knitting these bad boys out of thepaintedsheep Painted Sock Too in the Tranquility colorway. I am blazing through this awesome pattern, and I can't wait to have the socks!

-Finishing a prayer shawl for my Aunt's birthday in October. She oggled my mother's when they came for Thanksgiving so I coerced my mom into buying the yarn and we could give it as a combined gift. Very easy knitting, and I should be done with it by the end of the month.

-My Ocean Spray Top. I have been working on this for a very long time, but it is truly a pattern I want to chew slowly. It is the Sea Tangles pattern from Knitty's Summer 08 issue. The pattern is not difficult, just labor intensive, and I am knitting out of the most beautiful yarn in the world (thepaintedsheep's Jasmine in By the Sea colorway).

-Roxy and Her Cubs Knit Picks kit. This kit includes the yarn and pattern to make the most adorable little fox family ever! It also uses intarsia which is a technique I have always wanted to try. The foxes knit up in a fuzzy Knit Picks Suri Dream.

-Knitting my way through however many patterns I can manage from the Amigurumi Knits book by Hansi Singh. This book is full of some of the most fantastic critters and vegetables that I have ever encountered. Everything from tomatoes to a Loch Ness monster. Best part is that I am using odds and ends from my stash to make these awesome squishies.

- Slippery Socks by Olivia M. from Knitty Winter 2007. The yarn is a delicious hand paint that I got at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. It is called Dizzie Lizzie's Superwash Sock, and the colorway is Sunkist. A truly gorgeous mix of rich oranges and golden yellows.

-The Tree of Light Shawl by Cordula Surmann-Schmitt (that is an awesome name by the way.) I have not done lace in a while, and I have had this lovely Jojoland Harmony sitting in my stash for a while. It is a soft variegation of lavenders, and it is perfect for hazy summer days.

-Sourwood Mountain Fingerless Mitts by Erica Jackofsky (she is also known as Fiddle Knits.) I have been dying to knit these and have had the perfect yarn for them sitting in my stash since last summer. Fibranatura Cottonwood is this unbelievably soft 100% organic cotton that I snagged last summer from my LYS. It is this perfect white/lavender (noticing a trend?) that I truly can't wait to see knit in this pattern.

-Lace-Up Opera gloves by Ysolda Teague. Again with the stash shopping, I am using Dive Zenith in a really dark turquoise, and I am pairing it with some fantastic ribbon using the same color mixed with purple.

-Finally (did not realize the list was this long) Green Cabled Armwarmers by Elizabeth Martin. I am working these up in some stash yarn by the name of Jojoland Melody. Yet again, I appear to be about green and purple with this stuff.

My goodness I am rather ambitious aren't I? Perhaps slightly delusional, but that is the fun of summer heat. Hobey ho!

Bumble Bee Tuna Blankie

"I love Bumble Bee, Bumble Bee Tuna

Yum, yum, Bumble Bee, Bumble Bee Tuna."

(proceed up a half step and keep singing)

So goes the vocal warm up that inspired the name for this project. This blankie is going to the new son of a co-worker of mine. You see, I saw this blanket on Ravelry and thought it was so awesome looking that I racked my brains to think of a baby worthy enough to wrap in its spectacular self. Then it hit me. Greg is a man who is genuinely cool and his wife is just as lovely. Greg was very kind to me last summer, and since it was my first time working at that job it was nice to be treated so well. Plus, he is a very good friend of my sister so why not make it a combined gift (i.e. "hey Meg, why don't you buy the yarn and I will make it ;). Anyway, the title has multiple meanings. I was gazing at the work in progress in the mirror at one point, and I thought, "huh, kind of looks like a bumble bee." Immediately the above tune popped into my head. I smiled. That warm up is one Greg used for his vocal intensive that he taught at the camp, and it always made me smile when I heard it. So, the blanket was dubbed thus. Hopefully, both parental units enjoy it, because I truly love the finished product.

My first Handspun

It is officially carded, spun, plied, and washed! This is 100% alpaca yarn spun fairly bulky and the colorway is Echo (named properly after the owner of the fleece.) I was not able to spin a great deal of yardage, but it turned out beautifully none the less. I can honestly say that it was a unique pleasure to hold this completely raw creation in my hand and just squishhhhh it with my fingers. Hopefully, it knits up nicely.

The Curse

My co-blogger and I agree on many things, but when it comes to knitting we are experiencing a disagreement of the most interesting sort. I am knitting a sweater for my boyfriend. It was originally going to be his Christmas gift, but it has since turned into a 1 year anniversary gift. Whenever the thing comes up my dear partner in blogging purses her lips and mentally sends the "don't say I didn't warn you" with a mere look. You see she believes in the curse that is supposedly tied to knitting a sweater for your significant other, especially if you are not married or unionized. I will not pretend that I did not consider this factor when I started thinking about making this sweater. After all there is a reason that such legends occur, and I am perfectly aware that there is an uncanny number of stories of people knitting a sweater for their partner and having the relationship go up in smoke. Am I so arrogant that I think I can make this work and not be affected by this insidious threat? The answer is that it has nothing to do with arrogance. I believe that such a curse is not the sweater itself, but in the energy one invests in it. I know full and well I could be knitting for a man who might leave me, but that is a fact that will exist whether I make the sweater or not. Secondly I believe that God is stronger than curses. I pray fervently when I knit and this sweater is so thickly covered in them that I believe it is quite saturated. Thirdly, I chose a pattern type that has a history of being knit for lovers and important men in the lives of knitters. I chose a gansey pattern, and they were originally created by women who knit for the fishermen in their lives. I would be very surprised to discover that some women did not make such things for their sweethearts whether married or not. Granted my man is not going out on the stormy seas any time soon, but the desire to give him something beautiful and special is the same. The bottom line is that even if he and I break up the day after I give him this sweater (highly unlikely, I would give it at least two :), I would not regret a single stitch I spent on him. He will always be special in my heart no matter what the future dictates. This is how I have chosen to express my feelings for him and I will say that it is the curse that is arrogant to think that it can harm something created in love.

The Cardigan Refused to Be Finished Part 4

The final installment in the saga. When last we left the tale I began knitting on the dreadful thing. I tried to be optimistic because I could tell the work would not cooperate with me if it knew my dislike. So I took it with me to my summer job every day and pretty much knit on it with every spare moment I had. As first, nothing extremely bad occurred. I worked my way through the back finding it to be meditative if a little boring. Then I began the front pieces. That is when I noticed my hands were not happy. I was very careful to keep them relaxed and not knit too tight. I even cut down the amount of time I knit to add more time of hand rest. Still, I was cramping very easily. I finally decided it had to be the yarn. Cottons do not slide through my hands as easily as the natural wool fibers or the nylon sock yarn I am used to working with. On top of the monotonous pattern, the ugly color, and a deadline, I now had to deal with the fact that my hands were being ripped apart! Plus, it just never seemed to end. The cardigan was worked in pieces so that involved a back, two front panels, two sleeves, and a button band. Not to mention that I was mortified it would not fit my pixie stick of a sister. She is incredibly thin, and after the near fiasco of my first sweater I did not want a repeat performance. Granted I had done a swatch and accounted for my idiosyncrasies, but it never left me that I could be going through all this for naught. By the end of July, all the pieces were knit. Seaming is usually not a big deal for me. However, cotton is not nearly as forgiving as a fuzzy wool or acrylic. Any little mess up in your seaming process will show as a glaring error which I knew could not occur in this sweater. As a result, the process took twice as long as usual simply because I was being so flipping careful to make the seams look clean. When I was finally through with that, I had to move on to the buttons. My sister had insisted on some lackluster light beige buttons, and they absolutely refused to cooperate! How hard is it just to stay where I put the initial tacking thread? How come they could not just work on this cardigan that I needed TO JUST BE FINISHED DAMNIT! But low and behold some hours later, the thing was finally ready. I gave it to my sister some weeks later fairly biting my nails with nervousness. I need not have worried for the cardigan fit beautifully. She had to roll up the sleeves, but other than that she was smitten. I was proud and relieved that I would never have to touch the stupid thing ever again!

A Day Steeped in Fiber

Some times, the Lord shows his love in ways we can least expect. At some points in life the Lord provides a beautiful opportunity that never entered into our thoughts. Such an event has occurred in my life in the form of a completely unexpected connection to a person whose family raises alpacas. This girl stopped me in class one day with a query as to where I got my yarn. Before I could even begin to go into detail she told me that her mother raises alpacas and they are willing to sell me the fiber for extremely cheap. I could barely contain my ecstasy as she continued to explain that her family had far too much fleece and nothing to do with it. What providence that I just learned to spin this summer! How could I not jump at the opportunity to own oodles of my favorite fiber for so little cost. I eagerly agreed to some terms of a deal, and we arranged a visit for me to pick out the fiber I desired. So that is what I did yesterday dear co-blogger, and here are some lovely shots of my adventure and its fruits. 

 

These are the views that met my eyes from the back patio. My friend's step-father built that barn. 

The interior of the barn was just as beautiful as the outside. Every edge routed to perfection, and full of light as well as the smell of animal. Not the manure smell that can clog the nostrils just hay, fur, and wood. The white cutie is the baby alpaca that is the newest member of the herd. She got curious first, and she looks so boldly at the camera. She is simply called Baby. The other is the alpaca that has my favorite fleece that I purchased. I know the picture is shadowy, but you can see the softness of her coat. Her name is Bambi. 

The farm has three females counting Baby, and all the others are males. The second picture is of the three females (Amber is the front and mother of Baby in back. Bambi is the other female.) The dark man in the top picture is the lover boy of the farm. He is Baby's father, and the only male to successfully convince a female to mate. His name is Echo, and I think that his coat is the most beautiful color of the entire bunch. I don't know if it translates well, but it is this amazing maroon brown like the color of cherry juice on a black forest cake. I did not actually buy Echo's fleece. However, the family proposed an even bigger discount if I agreed to knit scarves from the fiber. My friend's mother picked Echo's fleece for the project. The fiber I bought for myself was from Bambi (the tawny female behind Amber) and a male named Sundance. I did not get a good close up of Sundance. However, there are pictures of his fleece below. His is actually award winning, and I liked the touch of it more than Echo's. Still, after playing with Echo's fleece when I brought it home I have decided that I must get some for myself next time I visit. (The order of the fleece below from top down is Bambi, Sundance, and Echo). 

I know this post is long, but I cannot help but wax poetic about this stuff. It needs some cleaning. It needs to be carded. It still smells of animal. But, there are few pleasures as tactfully beautiful as dipping your arms elbow deep in clouds. I will need another post to talk about each fleece specifically so for now I leave you to gaze at my treasures.

Vermonters

Until very recently, I have been adverse to knitting fair isle, mostly because knitting with more than one ball of yarn at a time is extremely difficult when you're confined to a tiny desk in a lecture hall. This year, however, I have learned to deal with it. I went to WEBS after Halloween and bought 6 balls of Northampton wool in various colorways. The woman at the cash register asked me what I was knitting. "Hats. For Christmas. Everyone's getting hats this year."
Now, you may recall how frustrated I became last year after having knit about 30 hats in the span of a semester. Clearly, I've gotten over it, because I spent the next week knitting hats. Many colored, snowflake-y hats. I knit 6. In 5 days. My modmates reveled in them, and began pick the color combinations for me. Every day, it was "Wow, Heather, ANOTHER one!" They got really invested, and I just kept knitting.
So, when it became time to photograph the first six of these hats (I have enough yarn to make about 15), I knew I'd have to make it a group effort. My modmates and honorary modmates all gathered on the couch, and had a lovely FO shoot.
Sarah (the one with the plant--I don't really understand why that is) directed, and made sure each hat looked nice on each person. She then demanded poses, like from Haley above, "Look cold! But cute!" We all decided that the photos looked like they were from some ski trip to Vermont that we never took. I couldn't have done it without them...

...And now I have too many hats. Again.

The Cardigan Refused to Be Finished Part 3

(Parts 1 and 2 can be found in earlier posts) I knew I was doomed because the moment I saw the color only one word came to my mind, "ick!" Taupe is the less than attractive step-sister of beige and it is completely against my nature. I like to knit with bright, bold, and saturated colors. I enjoy yarn whose color makes you drool with desire to wear it. When I had previously knit things for my sis, they were in beautiful greens or deep merlot. She is a gorgeous woman with a taste for good clothing, and the one time I offer a sweater she manages to pick the color that I would never have even considered touching unless it was for a dish rag. I will admit the color does have one advantage; taupe matches everything. Even though black can achieve the same advantage taupe is lighter and less stark simply because it has not personality of its own. Bemoaning my own stupidity and quietly cursing my fickle sibling I began to search for yarn. I decided knitpicks was my best option due to my limited funds. My sister had requested that the cardigan be light enough to wear around in spring, but heavy enough that she could potentially wear it in the cooler months. Keeping this in mind, I settled on knitpicks Cotlin in the colorway Cashew. It was the right weight, machine washable, and the linen would give it a nice drape while the cotton would keep it from being too warm. I went ahead and ordered the stuff and prayed that it would less yucky in person. No such luck, but the die was cast. 

Peace in frogging

So I just spent the last half hour frogging three inches of knitting. Although this may not sound like a great feat, you might reconsider that position when I tell you that it was about 140 yards worth and 6004 stitches. Yes, I just had to frog an entire ribbing of a sweater. The stitches got so hopelessly twisted that there was no saving it. It is strange that I do not find myself upset when I have to frog things, or even when I have to start things over in general. I remember when I used to take private art lessons, my teacher would sometimes advise me to go back into the piece and recreate a certain technique that I had already created on another part of the work. Daunting as recreation is, I always said, "If I did it once, I can do it again." With this in mind I have faced many starts and stops with a strange sense of patience, especially in knitting. I find that the aspect of frogging is far more vexing than actually making the decision to do it. In the case of this work, I came to a couple realizations that I would not have discovered had this initial error not occurred.

1. Even though this sweater is a massive project, I was able to keep up with directions and maintain the correct stitch count. I have a big problem with phantom stitches when I do large projects. However, I am still very happy that after the increasing my stitch count continued to be correct even with the daunting number (394 at that point)

2. With the work off the needle, I was able to see its actual size. I am making this sweater for a man and I was a little worried about sizing issues due to the fact that he is a big guy and my gauge is, yet again, a little wonky. As I was knitting I was constantly worrying that it would be too small. When I took it off I was able to compare its true size with a sweatshirt I had on hand. The sweater will prove to fit him the way it is supposed to, which is looser than fitted. I am extremely excited now because I know for sure that I am on the right size track.

I will cast on again. I will knit the ribbing correctly this time. I will recreate the beautiful stitches and the right number of them. If I did it once, I can do it again.

The Lost Generation

I'm back! ...For now. I can't be blamed, I'm fulfilling my pre-practicum as an intern at the performing arts school down the street, taking a Shakespeare Seminar that I'm far too young to take, and I'm TAing a freshman tutorial. Lots of reading, but so rewarding--especially because of my duties as a TA.

So my professor Michele (now my committee chair and mentor and wonderful) sent me an email that listed my TA duties. I skimmed it quickly, saw that it was the usual stuff (hold office hours for students, hold writing workshops, planning lessons, etc.), and went on to the next email. In our meeting before classes started, we were bantering on the topic of these duties. "Hey, at least I'm not knitting in class!" I retorted. "Well, then you obviously didn't read the email very carefully," she said. Hmm? She opened the email on her laptop, and scrolled down to the bottom. It said "Knit me a scarf for winter." She was ASKING ME TO KNIT IN CLASS...even while I was teaching!

I've been drooling over photos of Noro Striped Scarves (a la the pattern that Jared Flood claims was not his idea), and while I've never really been much for Noro (don't shoot!) I saw the opportunity and dove in head first.

Now, I'm just going to show you photos, because I've spoken long enough, and the pictures speak for themselves.

I took these around campus, and actually waited two weeks for the right light to do so.

On the fire escape outside my house.

On the Graffiti Wall and adjoining stairs in the Arts Village.
On the trellis at the entrance of the Community Garden out my window.
God I love this. I haven't put it on, because I'm afraid Michele will never get it off me.

A Brief Respite From the Cardigan: Psycho Socks!

Yes it is true, the socks are finished! I have never taken so long to finish a pair of socks. Seriously, even my pomatomai did not take me so long. However, these socks are completely worth the trouble. They scream my name with a larger than life bull horn. What is funny about this pattern is that my lovely co-blogger is doing the same design. We did not plan this. Indeed, I was absolutely tickled to discover that we picked the same pattern with no previous consultation or hints. Even more awesome is how different the two pairs are from each other. My co-blogger chose to do them in a stunning solid (was it red? I really can't remember except for the fact that I oggled) while I picked a very loud hand-dyed. My socks are perfectly me. What you see first is the crazy colors spreading themselves in a dizzying array of neon green, purple, and electric blue. Then you notice that there is a pattern. Finally, if you take the time to really look, you can see that the pattern is extremely intricate and lovely on its own. I am layered. First you see the boldness, then you notice the texture, and if you stick around long enough then you might discover the depth. Your dice Heather, make sure you post about your socks! (PS Pattern is Vilai by Cookie A. and it can be found in her book Sock Innovation)

The Cardigan Refused to Be Finished Part 2

I have decided to break up this saga in parts so as not to create a humongously long post that no one wants to read. (Note: If you want to start at the beginning please see the previous post). Anyway, upon telling my sister of my plan, she was absolutely giddy. She insisted on a cardigan (no surprise) and she was unsure of color. As the months wore on I picked out some patterns I thought she would like and rifled through knitpicks in the hopes of finding some color possibilities. Due to extreme business on her part, we did not get to consult until only a month before her actual graduation. We agreed that as long as the cardigan was finished by the end of the summer she would not be upset. She picked out a pattern, and the winner was the Basic Black Cardigan by Glenna C. (available as a free ravelry download). For a long while, she could not decide on a color. And then came the fateful day, the day that decided the whole tone for this entire project. 

(Paraphrased conversation between my sister and myself)

Meg: Hey there

Me: Hey Megs how're you?

Meg: FIne, but I can't talk long. I just wanted to let you know that I decided on a color for my cardigan.

Me: Excellent! What do you want?

Meg: Can you make it in taupe?

Me: ......taupe?

Meg: Yeah

Me: What on earth is taupe?

Meg: It's a- look it up online, google it. I'm sorry but I've got to go

Me: Okay I love you

Meg: Love you too

I did look it up, and the minute I saw it I knew I was doomed. 

The Cardigan Refused to Be Finished Part 1

To those who know me well,  you know that I do not often knit for other people. I am not like most knitters in the sense that I have very little desire to knit things that I must give away. I like to knit for my own enjoyment and my own pleasure. Knitting is extremely special to me, and when I have to knit for other people, a few things happen that make it less than pleasurable. 

1. I usually have to finish it by a deadline like a birthday or some other gift-giving holiday

2. I have to make the garment extremely specific to the recipient. This means everything from color choice to sizing.

3. If I make a mistake, then I mess it up for someone else who, unlike me, will probably not wear it in spite of the glaring error.

With that said, there is one person in my life who I will knit for regardless of what she asks for or what I burden myself with on her behalf: my sister. Indeed, I cannot quite explain the strange lack of distaste when it comes to creating comfy fiber things for her, but that is the way of it. So, when her graduation from college came rolling around I decided I wanted to do something really special for her. I decided to make her a sweater. Not just any sweater, the sweater of her dreams. What that turned into was one of the most arduous knitting journeys that I have ever embarked upon in my young existence. 

Love Of Seeds

To say I enjoy knitting is no surprise. To say that I enjoy all kinds of knitting should also come as no shock. However, it may impress one to know that I indeed have a favorite stitch. I did not know this myself until I made this incredible garment. This is my Green Seed top, the pattern being the Carnation Tee by Cathy Carron found in the winter 2008/spring 2009 edition of Knit Scene. When I first viewed this pattern, I deemed it rather bizarre and not to my liking. Upon repeated examination as well as reading the article in the magazine about the designer, I began to notice how clean and lovely the design actually was. What had put me off, I realized was the strange color combination of brown paired with deep rose. I realized that I had the perfect yarn for this garment and it was in a lovely color combination that would not appear so off kilter. As one can see, the result is spectacular. What made me fall in love with this piece was the abundance of seed stitch, also known as moss stitch. I said before that this is my favorite stitch pattern. I am a fan of stockingnette, lace patterns, and cables do make me drool, but seed stitch has all the components I desire in a good knit. It requires a consistent change in hand movement to create the different stitches, but it is just as rhythmic as garter. Also, unless one knows its secrets, it is very difficult to see how the pattern is put together. Most patterns are somewhat discernible to a practiced eye, but it is difficult to pick this pattern apart. The combination really does blend together to look like hundreds of thousands of perfect little seeds. Simple magic that manages to fill me with delight akin the wonder one felt as a child upon seeing a butterfly sitting on a flower so still and clean.

For Jess Dugger

Dear Coblogger,

   Please excuse this temporary deviation from our usual chatter, but a friend asked me to look into some yarn for a pair of knitted undies so I do hope you will forgive me in indulging her in some pictures.

Dear Jess Dugger,

   Here are some lovely yarns for your viewing pleasure. 

1. I would say the picture at the top is your best bet. You don't get as broad a color selection, but it is unbelievably soft and I think it is a reasonable price.

2. This is handdyed and really  pretty and also quite soft, a little expensive but it could be worse.

3. The last one definitely has the most color selection and it is quite soft. The only issue is that it has a little fuzziness that some might consider itchy especially in such a sensitive area. It is up to your discretion in the end.

Tell me what you like the best 

KP

Summers are for Fiber

As you wish my worthy coblogger! This summer is so full of knitting that I doubt much of it will actually be complete by the end of it, but still I will pursue the following with wild abandon and no thought of completion nonsense:

* My soft serve sweater. The pattern is Jaden from knitty.com. There will definitely be a post about this one soon because the yarn and color choice simply insist on a written documentation.

* My green seed sweater? (it has short sleeves but I can't really call it a t-shirt because of its heaviness) This little beauty hails from KnitScene Winter 2008/Spring 2009 issue. The pattern itself is called Carnation Tee and this will also have a post dedicated to it because of its excessive use of the seed stitch.

*My Ocean Spray top. Pattern is Sea Tangles from knitty.com and is being knit in the most beautiful laceweight I have ever owned i.e. thepaintedsheep's Jasmine in the colorway By the Sea. Both the yarn and the pattern look absolutely ravishing and I am hoping it works out the way I would like.

*My Grateful Dyed Socks. The pattern is Vilai by Cookie A. found in her book Sock Innovation. I love the yarn, but the pattern requires concentration so I am kind of avoiding it right now (hangs her head in a guilty fashion.)

* Leafy Top. The pattern is the Leaf Kimono Top in Interweave Summer 2008. I think this project will never get finished, but I will continue to work on it until the lack of space in my coffin prevents me.

*Meg's Cardigan. A lovely little pattern created by a raveler named Glenna C. and the pattern is called Basic Black. I promised my sister this sweater, but I will fully admit I am avoiding it like the plague because she wants the entire thing in taupe. Bleh! Leave it to my sister to want a whole freakin' cardigan in taupe.

*Midsummer Night's Dream ensemble. Includes Cybele vest found in French Girl Knits and a tube top of my own design. I have the materials for both, but I am not starting until I have finished my Carnation Tee and at least the back of the Soft Serve sweater.

*Finally, some Queen of Hearts mitts. These are awesome fingerless gloves that require some fun colorwork in red and black. The pattern is Alice's Queen of Hearts Gloves and can be found on purlescence.com

Busy summer no? 

Also...

Today I went back to work at the children's library. I'm technically not allowed to work until July (silly fiscal budgets), so instead of dealing with patrons, I was given the fun jobs. 

I experimented with and troubleshooted (troubleshot?) some of our summer crafts, which involved making a giraffe, a crocodile, and a lion out of wine corks...apparently, the library staff has a collective drinking problem, because we have enough corks to make a replica of the Bronx Zoo.

I also made parrots and cockatoos out of construction paper, googly eyes, and feathers. It was to promote the summer's first activity, which is basically a guy showing the children his bird. Kids eat that stuff up, I'll tell you.

...I was going to rewrite that last sentence due to its ambiguity, but it's rather hilarious, so it stays.

My crowning achievement for today involved the BULLETIN BOARD. the national library summer reading theme this year is BE CREATIVE. This is exciting because it's way easier than CATCH THE READING BUG (last year's theme, which was devoted entirely to insects...it got old fast...) and we can make up our own story times. Somehow, the logo is a tree, so I made a tree, stapled bunched green cloth napkins as leaves, and then scattered it with tons of foam stars. 

I also added a fish in one of the branches. I directly associate creativity with a flair for the unnatural. The fish is purple, with orange fins and three blue squiggly stripes.