novamade

new adventures in scarf production

I like scarves.  I think they are very useful, and sometimes they are even pretty.  And while I like the idea of making my own scarves, my laziness usually got the better of me in the endeavor of actually making them, particularly because I thought I was limited to knitting scarves.  I don't really enjoy knitting scarves, I have said it before.  But weaving a scarf?  Well, this is an entirely different matter.

   

I won't wax poetic about the process of weaving, other knitters have done so much better than I could hope to.  I will simply say that weaving a scarf takes much less time (at least in plain weave/tabby) than knitting a scarf would (unless that scarf was knitted in bulky yarn on size 17 needles, of course...well, no, probably not even then).

This scarf was simple to weave, I alternated colors in the warp (the vertical part of the weave structure) and then alternated the weft (the horizontal part).  I will put more details in the gallery of goods.

I could have just woven a test piece, but I don't like to waste  energy (some would call this efficiency--I will call it what it is, it's laziness).  Also, I figured I would either get it or I wouldn't, I think I got it.  And now Little Sir has a scarf (it's not without its imperfections; but, he is 2, he doesn't really care about the flaws, or rather, the design features).  So yes, now I am a weaver.  Much to Little Sir's chagrin.

Clearly, he is very excited about my new weaving skills. 

If you haven't figured it out yet, I tend to be the sort of person who goes "all in" on something.  I don't like to do things half way (because really, if I am going to exert the energy, I might as well make it count for something).  But with the weaving, I did test the waters with a used loom from ebay first...before I bought a Kromski Harp (Special K and I will be putting it together this weekend, one of us is very excited about it). I wanted a little more width for weaving (I am thinking wrap as opposed to blankets).  If you are interested in weaving and would like to "test the waters" on my Spear's Size 4 Rigid Heddle loom (16" width), e-mail me, we can discuss a trade of some sort.  I would love to "share the joy" as they say.

I think it's very likely that I will be weaving many more scarves.  I find weaving soothing; and, I really like scarves and I am so excited that I have found another way to make them...faster and more happily.

these are the sands of time

I am sure I have mentioned it before, I really don't like knitting scarves.  They seem to take forever to knit...they tend to get monotonous...etcetera, etcetera.  But when I asked for advice about what to do with the Mountain Mohair I got from Green Mountain Spinnery,

so many of you suggested a scarf, I felt like I couldn't do anything else...and really who would turn down an excuse to knit 30 bajillion cables?  Not me!

I have actually wanted to knit this scarf ever since Margaux's Malabrigo version (she knit two of them, I think;  the Sundara version is pretty spicy too).  So knit it I did.  And really, truth be told, it didn't take that long to knit (especially since I was using it to procrastinate, ahem).  Maybe the whole scarf thing isn't as bad as I thought?

The little guy kind of balks at the mohair content (and seriously, how Chuck Bass is my kid in this shot?), but that's okay, it not for him.  I actually knit if for myself.

I heart my new scarf, and I am not afraid to dork it up to prove it.  Deets in the gallery and on ravelry.

pie, cakes, a scarf, and happiness: things i made this week

Hi, remember me?  I'm the insane person who bakes a pie every Wednesday.  Were you wondering where your weekly dose of pie was?  It's a bit late, but hey, better late than never, right?

This week, I decided to take a lesson from Chuck and put some Gruyere cheese in my pie crust.  I can think of no words to articulate how good this was.  The pie was a pear pie; just pears, no berry funny business to detract from the subtle pear flavors. 

The grated Gruyere seemed to help bring out the subtlety of the fruit and it was beyond fantastic.  I used the Pate Brisee pastry dough recipe from Joy of Cooking--the 1972 reprint (my standby pie crust) and just threw some grated Gruyere in the dough.  This is a first for me, but I didn't measure the amount.  I just grated until my happiness meter hit "happy".  I can not wait to try this with apple pie...it would probably be good with strawberry pie too....hmmm.

 

So yes, if you are a pie baker, you are not living until you toss some Gruyere in the pie crust of your fruited pie.  Seriously, what are you waiting for, THAT was your invitation!

And then there was cake, there were two cakes actually; but, since one was made from a box (at Special K's request, honestly, I have no idea), I am going to talk about the cake that rates.  I made the American Chocolate Layer Cake from Maida Heatter's Cakes book.  This cake is all kinds of fantastic.  It was made for Special K's birthday, which we sort of celebrated after his birthday when he returned from a trip to California (we had the boxed one for his actual birthday, a fact that I am really embarrassed to admit, sigh).

It was delicious (the baked from scratch one, not the boxed one--which was passable, but come on it was from a box!).  And here is the thing about Maida's (we are so on a first name basis right now) cake, one slice is really two slices.  Because it's four layers.  I don't think anyone needs a four layer cake; but, I have a feeling, deep down, everyone kind of wants one.

And since a birthday offers a knitter a great opportunity to give a knitted gift, I knit the boy a scarf. 

I can't really say anything about this scarf that has not been said before.  "Noro is great...knitting it was a breeze...it knit up so fast, I didn't even realize the passage of time...the stripes are fun..." etcetera, etcetera.  If you really need the details, they are in the 2008 gallery.

Seriously, it was a quick knit that has been done for a while, I enjoyed knitting it and I will likely knit another at some point.  The best part, Special K loves it.  And hopefully, he will be able to convince Little Sir to share the scarf, because the kid loves it too; and, sharing doesn't seem to be something he is interested in right now.

Back off, this is MY scarf.

I also spent some time at Webs learning to spin over the past weekend; but, that is a story for another time.  A gastroenteritis-afflicted (fun times!) Little Sir is waking up and wants the mom, because I am, truly, so much fun. 

I hope your weekends are full of football, snacks, pie, cake, knitting, crafting or whatever makes you jolly.

a little bit of red

It took longer to get around to blocking this shawl than it did to actually finish knitting it.  I was in an orange state of mind and wasn't thinking about red so much.  I guess I was also in a knitting state of mind, as opposed to a blocking state of mind too.  But I finally got around to it.  What do you think?

 

I know this is an often knit shawl, it's nothing new; but I love it.

I think I love it most because the shawl is red.  Or maybe I like it so much because it is for me.  Special K likes it because I finally got around to using the blocking wires he gave me for Christmas last year.

I also liked that the pattern was so simple. The pattern is easy as pie (pumpkin pie, if you are curious).  I knit it without a single lifeline, which (for me) is insane.  It would be a suitable somethin' somethin' for the new-to-lace knitter, if you ask me.

And it's pretty quick too.  Don't let my slowness fool you, if I was more monogamous in my knitting, this would have been done months ago.

Flower Basket Shawl
Pattern: Flower Basket Shawl by Evelyn A. Clark (I used the pattern from Fibertrends)
Yarn: Knit Picks Gloss (Burgandy) 3.25 skeins
Needles: Inox Circulars, US 6
Measurements: 29 inches (long), 65 inches wide
Modifications:  I added one pattern repeat (for 12 instead of 11) for the small shawl size

So let's talk about the yarn, shall we?  I like Knit Picks yarn, in general.   I think that KP yarn is a great deal and offers knitters choices.  I think the Gloss line of yarns is pretty to look at, but I just didn't love knitting with it (split-city!!).  Christy and I had a little 'discussion' about its durability in the past.  We both think that Gloss is a good yarn for shawls, and things that won't get a lot of wear.  I question how durable socks would be made out of this yarn. Christy made mittens from the Gloss (they are pretty, go see them), and mentioned that the wear was noticeable. 

If you have made socks from this yarn and they are wearing well and you want to know what's up with me and my Gloss-negativity, please set me straight.  As I said, I have not knit socks out of the yarn.  This is my second shawl knit with Gloss, and with the excpetion of the remainder of the 4th skein, there is no more Gloss in my stash.  I probably won't be ordering any more of the Gloss, but I certainly will be wearing it.

post-chevy obsessiveness

I was so dedicated to finishing the second Chevron scarf that I let some other projects fall by the wayside.  I don't have as many works in progress as some, but there is at least one sweater for Little Sir that I would like to wrap up.  And then there is this, my newest obsessive knit:

I started this ages ago, but because of my inability to read the pattern properly, I had to rip and start over (if you are doing a left twist --at least for Trellis-- don't forget to knit in the backs of the loops when knitting two together...just some advice from me to you).  This is a gift for a friend of mine.  I have till the 16th of June to finish it.  If I was a monogamous knitter that would be possible--easy even; but monogamy in crafts has never worked for me...especially with stuff like this lying around:

How am I to resist the call of Koigu?  Koigu is so obsession inducing, I can't fight the power.  And this Koigu is so Project Spectrum.  I was tempted to knit simple but fun toe-up socks, but I wonder if I have enough yardage to do these...

And then there is my newest addiction.  Do you remember that "learn to spin" kit a got at MDSW?  Well, I worked through the freebie roving in the bag

While it may not be all glamorous and beautiful to you, I am ridiculously giddy and impressed with myself.  Special K was really impressed too (I think he was more impressed with my make-shift lazy Kate--which we are now calling the "Lazy Nova"  which is so extraordinarily appropriate, it's a little sad).

So yes, this spindling thing, in case you didn't know, it's as addicting as knitting. I just ordered a new featherweight spindle from the Goldings (I love them, go order a spindle and give them some of your money so I don't feel compelled to give them all of mine) to try spinning some lace weight that I will try and knit a shawl from for the Spun Stitches KAL, I figured it would be a nice summer challenge for myself; because as lazy as I am, I still like a challenge. 

It's a little scary how one obsession ends and another or others begin.  Scary; but fun.  What about you, obsess much?

chevy nova 2.0, se

The second chevy is done.  I understand that there was, not just a little, obsessiveness involved in the production of this scarf.  I didn't want to be a copycat, but I also wanted to produce a scarf that I liked.  Kirsten used the same colorways to do her Chevron Mitts (which are ingenious, by the way, if you haven't seen them, go check them out). 

I wanted all the brightness and all the color of the first chevy nova minus the pink, because--as you know-- I am just not into pink.

Clearly, I am not the only fan of this new iteration of the chevy.

Do you want the book model shot?  You know you do.

 

He was such a fan, I just couldn't resist.

I love this new scarf and can't wait until chilly temperatures necessitate the need for a flashy good- time scarf.

Chevy Nova 2.0, SE
Pattern: Chevron Scarf in Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson
Yarn:  Socks that Rock Mediumweight in Lemongrass and Farmhouse
Needles: US 5 straights
Modifications: Yarn substitution (which makes for a considerable heavier--read warmer--scarf) and I switched up the yarn pattern sequence for the first 4 and last 4 rows.  I also ended at 65 inches of scarf and not the suggested 72 inches (or whenever you run out of yarn, there is plenty of yarn left...enough to make booties even).

I am sufficiently happy with this scarf.  And since I am so happy with the end result, I don't feel the need to ever knit this scarf again.  Not ever.

Hey, Lolly I am ready for Chicago, how 'bout you?

hug it out

In the midst of my birthday celebrations, I thought I'd share a finished object.  I provided a little tease last week, but I got around to sewing the buttons on, so it's actually done now. 

I had this gorgeous yarn from the Sheep Shop Yarn Co. that didn't work out for a Chevron Scarf and I felt like I had to do something with it to justify its purchase, it was kind of a splurge.  For whatever reason, the green cake was longing to be used first, so I tried to figure out what I could do with one hank of this wonderfulness...and then I remembered this little neck hug concoction that Ashley provided a recipe for. 

So simple, but a great idea.  This yarn is super soft and screams for next to your skin wear (unless you are allergic to wool, if that's the case its not screaming to you at all...).  The silk in the yarn makes it scrumptiously soft and the wool makes it cozy.  I love it, but I knew it would be a gift as soon as a settled on making it. 

At this rate, I will have no Christmas knitting at Christmas time...not a bad deal, I suppose.  In any case, it's a genius of a thing.  Warmth, comfort and a little style (pearl earrings optional).  I like it buttoned with two buttons, but the recipient might button all three, I think her neck is a bit skinnier than mine, I just like the button flash, to be honest.

Neck Hug
Pattern: Neck Hug available at dogged (Thanks Ashley!)
Yarn:  Sheep Shop Yarn Co. (the green one, obviously--I don't have the tag anymore), G130
Needles: US 10 (Bamboo)
Modifications: I knit the yarn doubled (since I was working with DK weight and not bulky), cast on 4 extra stitches and I crocheted the buttonholes (mostly just because I could)

This took no time at all.  The only thing that took any sort of time commitment was finding buttons and actually sewing them on.  A fun little utilitarian knit.  I like it, and so will my friend come Christmas.

And hey, there is still a little birthday contest thing happening around here, have you joined in on the fun?

good, better, best

I intended to put this post up last month--on the 30th to be exact, but I decided to observe blog silence; but, then I forgot, better late than never I suppose.   

I would like to say that I am a student of photography, but really I just point and shoot and try to figure things out as I am going along.  There are so many great (exceptional, really) photographers in our "little" knitting community, they are inspirational (especially the professional ones).  I wonder if they read manuals to understand their cameras...I should try this manual reading thing, it seems like a plausible road to success.  In any case, I am trying to figure out how to take non-blurry close-up shots working with available light. I think it might be more of a lens issue (ISO, what's that?), with some of the pictures I have taken, but whatever.   In an effort to take some close-up shots while also highlighting "the good, better, best" nature of my April, I am giving you three photos.

The good:

buttons, green buttons for some green goodness... It took me a while to find the right buttons for my little project. Happiness is finding appropriate buttons, my friends.

Striving for better:

truly better than some past iterations of this scarf; better than my last try, at least.

The best way to end any month?  Well, food.  I make things for people.  Besides the knitting there is food, I cook for people, sometimes for no reason at all, most times because they can't cook for themselves, for whatever reason.  And you know, people have to eat.  So last weekend I made dinner for some friends who had a baby.  They asked me to make this cake for them. I am known in my circle for this, the best of chocolate cakes. It's flourless, it's sinful, it's easy, well, sort of.

I want to take better food shots.  I wish I could convey through a photograph how good this cake is. It's called la bete noir, French for "the black beast."  In French or English, this cake is just good, no the BEST.  I guess you will just have to make it for yourself if you don't want to take my word for it.

chevy nova

After all my yammering about how much I liked my Chevron Scarf, I should have known that the relationship would sour.  Don't get me wrong, I really like the scarf--in theory.  But you see, it's the pink.  It is too bright and there is entirely too much of it for my liking.  Perhaps if the pink was more subdued we could have worked it out.

The neon yellow and green?  Love them.  The pink, not so much.  It's still a great knit though, if you can get past the pink (which, apparently, I can not).  While finishing the knitting on the scarf I started thinking about things that are pink in my wardrobe.  Pink items that I own include things like flannel pajama bottoms I got on sale and freebie t-shirts handed out at conferences (don't ask).  So going with a yarn that had so much pink in it, well no, I don't know what I was thinking either.  A great knit, just not for me.  So my scarf will travel the avenue of many other knits made by my hands...it will be a gift.  Someone who loves pink will be very happy in December (and if she isn't she better proffer an Oscar winning performance). 

 

If you care, I think my dislike for pink has something to do with an episode in my childhood involving my mother, Pepto [Abysmal] and her inability to translate the directions in regard to dosing for a 6 year old (you're all smart, I am sure you can piece it all together). But enough about my relationship with the color pink, let's talk about the scarf.

I like the way that two skeins of yarn play off of each other when knit up in, quite possibly, the simplest stitch pattern ever.  It's easy, and if you have 2 random skeins of contrasting sock yarn, it would be a shame not to crank one of these out.  So if you haven't already knit one, go check your stashes and find two skeins...go now, I'll wait.

So not being one who wears a great deal of color on a day to day basis, I felt compelled to find something that popped, well, the Koigu I went with had it all (very little pink).  The muted jewel tones are gorgeous; and, I thought the neon-y Sundara Bird of Paradise yarn would complement it well and that the colors would balance each other out.  I think they sort of do...but you know, the whole pink thing, it skews my perception.

Even though the pattern specifies Koigu for the scarf, I think that the Koigu (and my Sundara substitution) are a little wimpy for this pattern.  I think the substitution of medium-weight STR yarn is ideal.  That little bit of extra bulkiness would give the scarf a little more "sturdiness" I think. 

I went with the majority opinion and just went with the one skein of Koigu.  I was really too lazy to order more and not patient enough to wait for it to arrive.  Also, Liz had a very good point about the scarf becoming stretchy due to its own weight, smart cookie that one. My scarf measured 56" when all was said and done--for a spring scarf, that's decent, no? I think I could have squeezed in at least one more row based on my "abundant" surplus.

I loved this project.  It got me excited about knitting again, so much so that I went into the basket and started working on some of the unfinished knits.  And since I absolutely must have some color in my life, I will have to knit this again for myself...  But next time, ix-nay on the ink-pay.

Chevron Scarf, a.k.a. Chevy Nova
Pattern: from Joelle Hoverson's Last Minute Knitted Gifts (there is nothing last minute about this scarf)
Yarn: 1 skein of Koigu, P 118 A (from here), and 1 skein of Sundara Sock yarn in Bird of Paradise
Needles: U.S. 5 Bamboo straights
Modifications: Went with one skein instead of two of each of the "colors" and subbed Sundara sock yarn for one of the "colors."

The Chevron scarf flickr group has all sorts of gorgeousness, go take a look to see the fabulousness--it will make you want to knit a Chevy for yourself (though it may not compel you to call the scarf a Chevy).  And if you haven't knit one of these, you really must...unless, of course, you find the pattern atrocious (but I don't know why anyone would).

a-tisket, a-tasket

Thank you all for weighing in with your thoughts and suggestions about carrot cake, very helpful.  So many people thought that crushed pineapple was a necessity that I decided to go with the majority (that and steaming raisins just seemed ludicrous to me).  I used the recipe in Nick Malgieri's Perfect Cakes.  Was the cake perfect?  I don't know. 

I think the cake was pretty; and it was, quite possibly, the moistest cake I have ever had.  But I realized that I have no standard from which to judge a carrot cake, having never really eaten cakes of the carrot variety in the past.  I think that I am just not a lover of carrot cake, to be honest.  When asked how he liked it, Special K remarked that "if [he] liked carrot cake, the cake [I] made would be the best carrot cake [he's] ever eaten."  Right.  Sweet, but a useless comment as far as assessment goes. 

The cream cheese frosting was delicious though.  And Al called me this morning and said that the cake was eaten for dinner last night (we had an early Easter lunch/dinner together with some other friends) and said the cake was fabulous and hey, if I can make a pregnant woman happy with a cake, I won't knock it.

So having chocked up the cake to a success, I felt like I could do anything.  So I tried getting Little Sir to wear bunny ears.   Are you prepared for the cuteness?

I was able to capture a memory before he decided that the ears were not cool.  It was fun while it lasted.

And no, my Chevy is not done.  It stalled somewhere on the highway between carrot cakes-ville and bunny ears junction, but we are now gassed up and ready to go.  Sorry, I am trying to see how far I can stretch the Chevy connotations here.

I am getting close to the end of my Koigu and haven't decided whether I want to order another hank of it or not.  I don't need a super long scarf. I am clumsy (and this is really an understatement), and a scarf that is too long would just be another obstacle to my safety.  My Chevy currently measures about 35 inches now, I could probably squeeze out another 20 inches, I think.  What do you think?  Is the one hank enough or should I just seize this opprotunity to add more to the stash (because buying one hank of yarn is an impossibility...I have no self control)?  Thoughts? Suggestions? Disgruntled feelings about the pink?