novamade

another shetland triangle

Shetland Triangle

Pattern: from Wrap Style by Evelyn A. Clark

Yarn: Knit Picks Gloss in Woodland Sage, 2 1/2 hanks

Needles: Inox Circs, US 6

Modifications: Yarn substitution, added 5 main body repeats and eliminated the last two rows of the edging chart

I really like this shawl, it's gorgeous.  I was originally going to make it in red; but, then at the last minute decided to go with this bluish-green color (this should have been my first sign that I was not going to keep it for myself...the reds being my personal favorite when it comes to accesorizing pieces).  Also, red has been a very popular color for this shawl...  In any case, it came out beautifully and I love it and I think the recipient will too. 

I opted to make the same modifications as brooklyn tweed suggested, I thought the uber-pointy edges on the original were just a bit much (and knowing the recipient so well, I think this was a really wise choice).

I think the most interesting part of the process of knitting this shawl was watching the dramatic change of the unblocked piece.  After knitting, it was puckery and kind of sad looking.  After blocking, the pattern pops!

This is an ideal project for a lace beginner, especially with fingering (or heavier) weight yarn.  The pattern is super easy, and when you get these results, why fight it?

If you haven't yet used the Knit Picks Gloss line yet I think it's at least worth a try.  It's a 70/30 wool/silk blend that was pretty easy to knit with.  It did split a little, but not too much.  Knit Picks is advertising this yarn as a sock yarn.  While knitting with it, I didn't feel like it was elastic enough for socks, but what do I know.  I ordered a goodly amount of it so I might try some socks with it eventually.

If you haven't done so, you should knit one of these!  Go!  Knit! Now!

block party

Or blocking party, I suppose.  I know it has been said before (by others, many others); but, I will say it again, blocking lace brings about amazing results.  After binding off the Shetland Triangle, I wasn't terribly impressed.  I knew that others produced incredible results and felt somewhat assured that my results would at least be acceptable...but it wasn't until the shawl was blocked that my doubts were dashed. 

I find it surprising that I was able to produce a product that is mistake free.  Granted I unknit a section due to inattention to some yarnovers (I was probably engrossed in some television show or another), but everything came out in the wash...or the blocking.  I love this shawl, it's beautiful...but this is more due to the pattern than me, I think.  I'll have more to say tomorrow after the shawl is unpinned and ends weaved in...you know, finished.

With all my lace done (for now), I can turn my attention back to Special K's seamless hybrid (no, I didn't forget about it...).  I started both sleeves and finished the hemmed cuffs and am now working my way up.  It's more stockinette, but I think it should go by pretty fast.  I am hoping to finish this sweater soon.  It's looking a little smallish, I envision agressive blocking; but, we'll see.

i'm that person

You know how the second Thanksgiving is over, some radio stations will start playing Christmas/Holiday music non-stop?  I know that quite a few people probably think, "who would listen to this non-stop?"  Well,yes, that would be me.  I am that person.  I know that the vast majority of the songs are cheesy, I just don't care.  I love this time of year.  It's a time where silver and gold can be mixed with other colors to excess and not appear uber-gauche.  It's the time of year when people reflect on memories and relationships.  And it's the time of year that I knit and sew like my second job is that of a garment factory worker.  Let the fun begin!

In the midst of Thanksgiving craziness (I woke up with a cold on Thanksgiving morning, I knew it was going to happen since Little Sir woke up with a cold the Monday before Thanksgiving...perennial colds...the joy of group daycare...), as I was saying, in the midst of Thanksgiving craziness I finished the Shetland Triangle that was mine (for something like two seconds) and now is for someone else.  I am going to block this baby tonight (and will probably listen to that non-stop holiday music radio station while doing so, because that is how I roll...), so that will be one more gift done. 

And unrelated to knitting, crafting or anything that anyone except a few people will care about...I got a new cell phone.  Anyone who knows me knows about my intense hate of talking on the phone (I am totally not a phone person) will be duly impressed my this.  But really it was time.

 

(the old and the new)

As Special K pointed out, if I was kidnapped (because someone out there would really want to do that), my whereabouts would be untraceable with my old phone; but now, with the latest in GPS chip technology (or whatever), if someone decides to steal me away, my phone would help law enforcement find me...provided it was turned on, I guess.  In any case, I like my new phone... shocking, I know.

When camera phones came out a while back, my initial reaction was, "why would I need a camera on my cell phone?  That is what I have a camera for..."  Well, let me just say that I now have pictures of Little Sir handy...because they are on my cell phone.  But I am still a little iffy on the whole music on the cell phone thing.  My i-pod fits that bill just fine, thank you.  And while some would look at my phone and say that it's mediocre at best, well I say to you, it's all I need.  Anything else would just be excessive for me, because like I said, I am really not a phone person.

I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving if you celebrated it; and, I hope you are gearing up for fun times for the winter holidays, because you know I am!

my life. my blog.

Cara posted this fun meme and since I am just scanning graduation images in the Archives today I figured I would slide this extra scan in.  The picture is an old one.  It was taken by Special K's dad on a visit to the Getty to see a photography exhibit.  I have no idea what I was laughing about, it must have been pretty funny.

The knitting continues, but in fits and spurts..Thanksgiving is tomorrow and if food is going to be eaten I will have to prepare it.  My dad gets in from Florida this afternoon.  The weather turned cold again, this will make him grumpy.  But then he will meet Little Sir for the first time and this will make him happy.  Even trade.

I hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving!  Don't eat too much!

i'm a giver

In the midst of knitting "my" Shetland Triangle, I came to the realization that I shouldn't keep it for myself.  It's coming along rather nicely and I kept thinking, "it's so elegant."  My friends, I can be described in many ways, but elegant does not apply to me in any way, shape, or form.  So, of course, it will be a Christmas gift to my oldest childhood friend who is, in a word, elegant.  I was going to make her another shawl in some raspberry pink color, but she already has a shawl fitting that bill...so she'll get "my" Shetland Triangle.  My goal to do some selfish knitting is foiled again.  All of this will be resolved by some selfish sweater making; but, we will delve into that after the holidays, I think.

Speaking of sweaters...I am still working on Special K's seamless hybrid.  I am working on sleeves, stockinette stitch sleeves, mindless knitting truly...very dull.  The seamless hyrbid must be finished by November's end though, so I must get back to work on it.

Unfortunately, no work will happen on any projects this weekend (well, may be Sunday).  The Archivist and Special K throw a party every year, the Saturday before Thanksgiving, called "Dessert Night."  As you could probably surmise, it involves dessert, lots of it.  It's usually a gathering of 30-40 of our closest friends (we are really not that popular, they are mostly coming for the dessert...and probably the booze)...mostly academic types, some book group friends, etcetera, munching on various and sundry desserts.  We kick off the holiday season in style, it's a good time. It's also some work to put together as it involves cleaning our house, aka the pit.  Little Sir, cute though he is, is not helping in the venture of residential cleanliness...but what can you do?

And because I am all about lace knitting these days, I feel I must mention Grumperina's recent post reviewing Vicotorian Lace Today.  The review is thorough and informative (not shocking at all, considering the reviewer).  The fact that she is offering glimpses of the projects is a great boon for the publisher who really should have thought about a way to present this information itself, in any case, it looks excellent... and not just a little bit hazardous to the wallet.  I don't even have the book and I have already started making mental purchases of yarn for projects therein.

I hope everyone has a good weekend.  I am off ot make a "liquor list" for the party.  Because as we learned after our first Dessert Night, what is a party without spirits (you know, of the beverage variety, not the spooky, scare you kind)?

last days of disco

Or, the last days of fall, I guess.  When the leaves fall off of all the trees, is it still fall?  I mean really, I know the calendar says it's still autumn, but really?  For me, fall ends when all of the red, yellow, and honey-hued leaves have been raked up, bagged and dragged away.  Because this process usually takes us into the first week of December (we are lazy..er, busy...), my timing usually falls in some sort of parallel with the calendar; but this year, there was a cold snap and now all the leaves...they are on the ground...fallen.  In an effort to squeeze the last bit of joy from "fall" the Archivist's family decided to some things decidedly outdoorsy (and by outdoorsy I mean we went outside) this weekend before rain hit the northeast.  We played around in the backyard, Little Sir thought it was all wonderful and strange.

Before Connecticut was hit with a deluge, we actually experienced some pretty decent weather, it seemed an ideal time to get some pictures of the Hedera socks I finished.  I have tried photographing the socks indoors and it just hasn't worked out so well, the yarn is really dark and it screams for natural lighting.

Because I am not a contortionist, Special K had to help with some of the pictures...not something high on his list of weekend to do's, but it was a fun "photo shoot."  Anyhow, I am really happy with the socks.  The stitch pattern, while simple, is lovely. 

My first lace socks, definitely won't be my last.  It was a pretty easy pattern, and easy to memorize.  I had my doubts about how the variegated yarn would work out, but I think it worked out well.  These socks are a Christmas gift for a friend on the west coast.  The colorway of the yarn is "Redwood Forest," but really, the colors just made me think of the New England fall, and I figured my friend might miss those colors...or not.  In any case, a fun knit that I highly recommend to anyone looking for a simple lace sock pattern.

Hedera

Pattern: from knitty.com courtesy of Cookie A.

Yarn: Knit Picks Memories in Redwood Forest

Size: to fit a US 8 1/2 to 9

Needles: Bamboo dpn's in US 2

Modifications: Just the yarn substitution.

I am very curious about the wear of this yarn.  While knitting, I had this premonition of felting through wear, we'll see.

Now that I finally hunkered down and finished these socks, I can focus a little more on the seamless hybrid for Special K.  I am starting to work the sleeves now...more stockinette, ho hum.  I have also started the Shetland Triangle shawl which may be the quickest shawl ever; but, more on that later.

treasures from the attic

I enjoy being an academic archivist, honestly and truly I do.  But sometimes, it can get just a little bit dull...business records, proposed policy paperwork that was never acted upon, current records that no one else has a clue what to do with, the endless scanning of images in an effort to "preserve history" (no not really, just provide alternative access, but this is a discussion for another time)...in any case, yesterday was one of those days that found me wallowing in boredom...until I happened upon this for the umpteenth time:

You see the navy blue roll there?  For the last 2 and a half years, I  just assumed it was a banner, it is sitting on top of a box with banners, so perhaps this was a logical assumption.  Also, it is very clear that there is no donor paperwork with the item whatsover (nightmare), which is enough to put anyone off of exploring.  But boredom, it makes you do crazy things...in a fit a procrastination I mused... "I wonder what that banner looks like..."  well, it wasn't a banner at all...

Huh.  Knitting needles, some would say "vintage" knitting needles (if I were pressed, I would date them circa 1940s, mid to late).  So as I finished my afternoon of scanning images, I wondered about the owner of this set of knitting needles.  I wondered what the owner, most likely a woman (as the institution where I work was once a "college for women") liked to knit, argyle socks maybe?  Argyles were a big thing during the 40s.  So were socks for soldiers...socks were definitely part of her repertoire (dig all the dpns!).   

Then I wondered about how and why this woman's treasured belonging ended up in the College Archives...with me...thinking it was a rolled up banner.  In all likelihood, this woman's child, children, spouse or some relation, cleaned out her attic after she died and found her knitting needles.  No one likes to throw things away (they say they do; but, really, they don't, trust me I know these things--my professional existence is a testament to this fact) so they start grouping things together and anything having no value to the surviving family, or anything having to do with "college days" and those miscellaneous things like knitting needles get packed and sent to a college archivist...usually in an unmarked envelope with no note, because no one wants to deal with the return of such items.  It's sort of a sad ending, really.  These needles are longing to serve a utilitarian purpose...someone somewhere needs a pair of socks....

So then I started thinking about my own collections of needles...a ridiculous example of accumulation and materialism at its worst...(sometimes I forget what I have...I'll admit it, I can't be the only one with 5 sets of US 8 dpn's....right?!).  I would like to think that my knitting goods would find a good home when my use of them ends.  Ideally, it would be nice to pass them on to a child...but you never can tell...Little Sir, he doesn't strike me as much of the knitting sort; but, he is only 7 months old, so this could change, I guess.

Sometimes I don't really treasure my crafting stuff...none of it...knitting needles, sewing stuff, the sewing machine even, it's all easy to take for granted because its simply there.  Also, since I rarely keep anything that I make, there is no tangible reminder of end products lying around.   I would like to make an effort to treasure the tools of my craft so that whoever "cleans up after me" knows that the crafting stuff is important (or at least that is was important to me...treasures, if you will), that the goods should be passed on and continue to be useful, to continue to bring happiness (and probably some frustration) to another generation of knitters or quilters or what have you.  And if my my stuff does get sent to an archives or museum, it better have my name and my project book with it (context is important, after all)...no nameless knitter stuff for me...because my stuff has history people. It may be insignificant to some, but it is my own little history, a "documentation" of my life as a knitter, quilter, crafter, whatever.

All that from a moment of procrastination...

But, just so you know that I truly do treausre my knitting needles...look how I am using them...

Hederas will be done by week's end, because those tools are well-used; and of course, they are also well treasured.

lacevember

Elann posted a new stock of Peruvian Baby Silk yesterday.  I bought some, did you?

Because November is all about lace and I have various projects in various states of progress that don't really warrant showing, here are my answers to a questionnaire from the hostesses of Lacevember:

The knitting questions, or the usual suspects

How long have you been knitting? On Friday it will be 2 years.  Knitterversary!

How did you learn to knit? My granddad tried to teach me when I was really young (didn't work), 2 years ago a library volunteer who works with me in the Archives decided I needed to learn to knit so she taught me.  She has created this Frankenstein of fiber accumulation and knitting obsession.

Favorite thing about knitting? Creating a finished product with a "ball of string."

How long have you been knitting lace?  Hmmm, 3 months?

Favorite thing about knitting lace.  It's pretty.  I find it borderline impossible to believe that I can create anything delicate.

The yarn questions, or flash your stash

Favorite lace yarn? I just bought some Zephyr Wool/Silk, that stuff is really nice.  My experience here is somewhat limited.

variegated or solids for shawls? I tend towards solids, usually.  I like variegated sock yarn, but that is usually about it.

Favorite lace color? For whatever reason, grey.  I have not yet knitted a grey lace anything, but I think it would be nice.  I like grey.  I love brown, but I just don't see it as an ideal choice for a lace shawl...maybe lace socks.

Technique, or show us your skillz

Circs or straights?  Either...but cicrculars seem to make things easier.

Favorite lace knitting trick? I am not sure what this means actually,  but lifelines are a resourceful thing...is that a trick?  Are nupps a trick?  I like nupps.

Lifelines? If so with what?  Um, yes please.  With yarn that I can see.

Fancy blocking wires, or just sewing pins stuck in your carpet?  I would like fancy blocking wires (Special K, if you are reading this, take note), but for now it's pins stuck in leftover foam matting.

Pattern, or can you follow directions

shawls or lacey items?  any, all

triangle, rectangle, or circular shawls? I have only  knitted triangular, but I have my eye on some rectangular ones for the future.  For whatever reason, I do not feel compelled to knit a circular shawl at this time.

Charts or printed instructions?  Now that I know how to read charts, either.  But charts, logistically speaking just seem to make the most sense.

Favorite lace you've knit?  This is easy as I have only knit 2 lace things, Swallowtail Shawl.

Favorite lace you want to knit? I would like to knit the Icarus Shawl in IK Summer2005, amongst many other things.

Just Fun, yup that's right, just for fun

Favorite jelly belly flavor? Apple, I think...it's been a while since I have eaten Jelly Beans.

Tell me everything you know about Eric the Red.....I think he was a Viking explorer.  Something about Greenland...though I feel fairly certain he didn't actually discover it.

Coke, classic or with lime? None.  I used to drink Vanilla Coke, but then I cut caffeine out of my life.  I was a caffeine addict, it wasn't pretty.

Holiday carols, sing along, or wish they would be banned from all public airwaves?  Despite my best efforts I usually sing along; which, I am quite certain, no one appreciates.

What is the definition of irony? I am fairly certain one can find this in the dictionary.

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop?  I don't know, I usually just bite in for the tootsie roll.

Why is my cat always puking in front of my son's bedroom door?  I don't know, I am not a cat person.

What is your superhero power?  I can function on 3 hours of sleep, not happily; but, I can do it.

If the laundry is 9 foot by 11 foot (just dreaming, that's a big laundry room), and the walls are 8 feet tall, and you are going to tile the entire room in tiles that are 3 inches by 5 inches, what color should those tiles be? Cerulean.

What's for dinner tonight? Leftovers.

What is clogging my children's bathtub drain?  I will tell you about yours if you can tell me about mine.

last minute knitted gift

After my experience with the Swallowtail Shawl (thank you for the lovely comments), I realized that babies have been born, and I have been remiss in my gifting for them.  A friend of mine gave birth to a little girl at the beginning of October...I can't remember the last time I made anything for a girl!  So I needed something, quick...last minute...knitted... So naturally I turned to LMKG, this little hat is great!  A quick easy knit and supremely satisfying when you weave in the ends.  Because the baby is in Florida, I figured cotton was key, so I used the specified yarn (if you haven't used the 1824 cotton, I highly recommend it, it's scrumptious...for cotton.  I think the hat took me 5 hours,  and that was only because the i-cord ribbon took so long and I checked the internet to find corrections that I didn't feel like figuring out on my own...gotta love the internet--why reinvent the wheel?

Children's Cotton Hat

Pattern: from Joelle Hoverson's Last Minute Knitted Gifts, with corrections courtesy of Alison

Yarn: Mission Falls 1824 Cotton in Coral

Size: the middle size for a baby--kind of big, but she'll grow into it

Needles: Bamboo Circular, US 6; Susan Bates Aluminum dpn's, US 6

Modifications: Just encorporated Alison's corrections

This is a super easy pattern, once you are aware of the corrections you need to make for the larger sizes.  For whatever reason, I didn't read through the pattern and just started knitting.  Very silly, when I know that the book has errata all over the place... but it's pretty obvious when you get to the yarnovers to make the holes for the ribbon.  This is a cute pattern and it knits up ridiculously fast.  Which is perfect when you need a last minute knitted gift!

Totally unrelated to the hat and knitting, books...so I haven't changed my "look what I am reading" section for a while, though I have been reading other things.  I found the True Story of Hansel and Gretel somewhat depressing but a rewarding read, all the same.  It was enlightening to read about the Holocaust from the perspective of children(all be it a fictionalized account). 

And then there was Sarah Waters' Night Watch...What a waste of my time.  I usually LOVE Waters' books, I have always been a fan of her understanding of relationships and her attention to historical detail; but, perhaps it was the attention to historical detail that had me snoozing through this book.  I just couldn't take it, and because I can't just not read a book that I have started, of course I slogged through it.  If you like historical fiction, you might enjoy this book.  If you like historical fiction that moves past the pace of a trickle of maple syrup, this book is probably not for you.  1940s London has never been so dull for me...and I love historical fiction and I am something of an Anglophile...I just found the book a bore which surprised me since, as I said, I am a fan...

Knitting continues on the Seamless Hybrid, just a bunch of stockinette still, so nothing uber-facinating to flash.  Finishing up Hedera, for Lacevember this time (you know, since Socktober was such a success for me); I am also casting on for the Shetland Triangle Shawl in Wrap Style, for myself...because I am worth it.  And then there is the Christmas gift knitting...

my first lace: a tragi-comedy

The Swallowtail Shawl has been blocked and the ends have been weaved in.  I didn't think the pattern was difficult, I just had countless moments of stupidity, laziness and inattentiveness while knitting it, which didn't help in attaining a happy knitting experience.  She is a beautiful shawl, really, she is:

And ever since she's gotten her blocking, she has been the life of the party

But she likes to be modeled

But don't get me wrong.  She is not without her flaws...

On the left, there are upside down question marks...on the right is how the shawl should look.  I think this was an instance of not paying attention, losing stitches and then finding stitches without realizing it, etc.  The sad part?  I didn't even notice it until I was binding off.  There ensued the laziness.

I restarted this shawl many times (if you have been following along, you may notice that this is completely different yarn),  I learned many things while knitting this up.  Firstly, I learned to read a chart (I've never had to do it before).  I also learned how to do nupps (not so bad, I just had to use a smaller needle to do them, like a US 0). 

The flaws in the shawl made me a little apprehensive about giving this to the intended recipient (Christmas present); but, she has an appreciation for handcrafted goods; and really, I think the flaws add character (I know this is what people say when they make mistakes, but I really mean it!).  And since I thought of the recipient from the moment I selected the yarn, actually from the moment I chose the pattern, she is small in stature--it's a small shawl my friends, truly it is) I think she will still see this in a couple of weeks.  I hope she likes it.  If she doesn't, she should just lie.

Swallowtail Shawl

Pattern: By Evelyn A. Clark, Fall 2006 Interweave Knits, p. 72

Yarn: Knit Picks Shadow (100% merino wool) in Lost Lake, 1 skein.

Size: Finished, 48 " wide, 21" from top center to bottom of the triangle

Needles: Inox US 4

Modifications: None (well, not intentionally, there was whatever weird thing I did to get the question marks, but again that was some serendipitous thing...see, not a mistake at all)

I am glad I knit this, I learned a great deal, and I learned that I like knitting lace.  I will probably knit this again at some point, no time soon, but eventually.  Maybe I can ditch the question marks next time though.

I would highly reccomend this as a knitting project, even a first lace project.  The nupps are not bad at all; honestly, they were kind of fun!

And totally unrelated to lace, Swallowtail or anything else knittng related, I thought I would show you our attempt at Halloween.  Yeah, Little Sir wasn't really into the whole lobster thing.  Maybe next year...