by carmen | Jan 25, 2010 | Uncategorized
January is the month when I get to play. The cold and wet is perfect for fireplace knitting and spreading all my yarn selections out on the carpet to choose a new palate of colour to work with. The fair isle capelet was a fabulous adventure for me. It made me crazy, but while I was making mistakes and tinking and thinking and just generally cursing the colour work, I was secretly LOVING it.
Consequently, I thought I might try a few designs of my own. In a million years I never thought I would enjoy charting. I looked to my Syrian table runner for inspiration.
After all of my trips to the Middle East, I can’t believe that this is the first time that I have used those colours and designs in my work. They are incredibly rich tapestries of history and adding a modern twist to them gives them new life. I am already working on another design (on the needles first) I’ve figured out that when the math is right I can chart in my head.
Time to pull out the jesveh. I have a craving for Turkish coffee.
by carmen | Jan 22, 2010 | Uncategorized
Completely finished the Fair Isle Capelet. Ends are now woven in and it is blocked. I just want to post the photos. I love it and hate it at the same time….
Love:
- Beautiful Aran Weight Alpaca/wool blend that was a pleasure to knit with.
- Great drape
- My favourite colours
- Pattern was extremely well written and kept me engaged
- Quick knit on 5mm needles.
Hate:
- The fit. Not that it doesn’t fit…I just feel like I have to keep my arms at my side. Perhaps this is why I have not owned a capelet in the past. I think I’ll wear it ice skating.
- The amount of ends to weave in.
Changes to the Pattern
- Slightly altered the ribbed bottom.
- Added a few extra textural rows
- Cast off ribbed neckline in a picot cast off.
I have officially crossed to the dark side and will now knit everything on circulars. I received several nods of approval from the drop in group tonight. Perhaps because I had it on a mannequin posing at entrance to the studio?
I admit it. I’m a proud mama. First circulars and first fair isle. First pattern in years (other than the thrummed mitts)and first FO of the year. I know I’m not alone….. What was your first FO of the year?
by carmen | Jan 21, 2010 | Uncategorized
Yesterday was the third week of my spinning class at Birkeland. Six new spinners ready to unleash themselves on the world. Or not.
Spinning is not easy. It is not for everyone. It can reduce a perfectly coordinated and gifted person to tears when “they don’t get it”. There is shock at how your hands and feet can betray you and how your mind alone cannot make the wool.
Initially it is less about technique and more about filling a bobbin. But what do you do when what is on your bobbin looks like baby barf? If you love the fibre —you carry on. If you are stubborn—–you carry on. If you can put your ego to the side —-you carry on. Or sometimes you realize that it’s just not for you.
I am happy to say that the entire group will carry on.
In order to prep for class last night, I went back to the beginning. I took a roving, tore it into equal strips and then just shoved it on to the wheel. It felt fantastic. First 110g of perindale were exhausted on to the wheel and then 200g of BFL.
This was the satisfaction of just letting raw fibre become wool. Sweet. It’s been a while since I’ve let myself spin a single skein without trying to put lipstick on the pig, no art yarn, no balanced and plied yarn, just the basics…
Just before heading off to class I did manage to bump into a crazy batt that I carded and had to spin it. It’s primarily dyed mohair locks and very kitchen sink. The exact opposite of the yarns I had just spun, and yet somehow the same.
On a completely different note, the “poncho/capelet” is done. Just some loose ends to weave in and blocking. There were some modifications. I like them, but I’ll let you decide when I post the completed photos. I think there’s a matching hat in me today before heading down to the studio.
by carmen | Jan 19, 2010 | Uncategorized
……all roads eventually lead to knitting. Some of the walks less travelled lead to inspiration. There are two new designs that have come out of this trip. Nothing will be committed to paper until “the list” is completed. Yes, there is a list. Now here’s a little peak at yesterday’s walk in the park….
The rain is back. Out here it never really goes away, but there are simple things that make it pleasant….Time to knit and these.
Rubber Boots and Coffee Art
I still have my capelet knitting to finish…I haven’t been showing my progress as it’s not happening as fast as I thought it would…I’m almost ready to get on to the smaller circulars now so I will still be completing my goal of having it done while on holidays. (that doesn’t include blocking, does it?). I wish John would quit calling it a poncho. It makes me like it less.
by carmen | Jan 18, 2010 | Uncategorized
Nobody does it better….
Like the most delicate lace.
by carmen | Jan 17, 2010 | Uncategorized
Ucluelet is one of the most beautiful places to knit during storm season. Find myself knitting in concert with the waves breaking against the rocks and the shoreline.
This is not the view from the house, although it is equally as impressive, but our walk on the Pacific Trail was invigorating, wet and led us to this vista.
Some of the clothes are in the dryer, shoes and socks by the fireplace. I think it’s time to get back to work on the capelet. One, non water shot before closing…it will be reproduced as yarn
After all of my trips to the Middle East, I can’t believe that this is the first time that I have used those colours and designs in my work. They are incredibly rich tapestries of history and adding a modern twist to them gives them new life. I am already working on another design (on the needles first) I’ve figured out that when the math is right I can chart in my head.
