I'm working on a sweater from the wonderful Knit Kimono book.  I've been pleasantly surprised how quickly it's knitting up. The yarn is a hand painted red from Blue Moon called "Bitter Sweet."  You can get a sense of the color from the photo. Right now, I'm thinking of it as the Lady Macbeth sweater, for obvious reasons.  It kind of makes me want ( Read more... )

I knit this up after I finished writing this afternoon. It just took a couple of hours. This is the yarn (Malabrigo Rasta for thems as cares) that Kij and I purchased on our Yarn Day Out to make neck pieces.  I'm quite pleased with this. I knit it up last night, wasn't quite happy, ripped it out and did it again this afternoon. I think this will ( Read more... )

Recently, in a pleasant little ebook (Stashbuster Knits by Melissa Leapman), the author suggested a different way of organizing one's stash (that collection of yarn knitters accrue, somewhat like under-the-bed accrues dust bunnies).  Her method differs significantly from my method. I had (bless you, Ravelry) organized my yarn on Ravelry (of course ( Read more... )

This took a little over a weekend ( maybe three movies, plus scarlettina's Crafternoon).  The pattern called for 2 balls of yarn, I used 2.5 to make it more shrug-like, and a little warmer as a cowl for my son's girlfriend, a Hawaiian who is always cold in San Francisco. It  makes me think of coral reefs.  I hope she likes it. The wools is Noro Kureyeon for ( Read more... )

When I received the first skein of "Bite Me" from Astrid Bear's sock yarn club, I knew instantly that these were going to be fingerless gloves.  Because I suffer from Single Sock Syndrome (the inability to complete a second sock) I knew it would be better for all of us if they didn't match. From there grew the idea of fraternal twins. Two related ( Read more... )

This sweater was begun at the start of summer, or the months that pass for summer in other places, and was knit throughout those rather chilly weeks here in Seattle. I thought, at one point, that when I was done Mark would be able to slip right into it. But no. Summer did arrive tardy but no less welcome for all of that, in late August. And today ( Read more... )

I worked on this most of the winter. I loved it's off kilter center, made by short rows. The design was intended for lace yarn, but I wanted a shawl that would be practical for fall/winter around the house and going out for coffee. It's garter stitch back and forth and so super easy to do while watching a movie. I'm very pleased.

And, a bonus photo ( Read more... )

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"You cannot grow a beard in a moment of passion." GK Chesterton.

Chesterton was right.  You can't grow one -- but you can knit one.

I hadn't originally intended to pass along this link from Ron, but the day is very cold here in Seattle, and there has been snow, and what else is needed to turn a lady's thoughts to beards?

So please admire the wit and ( Read more... )

"Go be geeky. It sounds like a Star Trek con for knitters. I'll see you later."

With those words, Mark bid me a fond farewell into the cobalt blue yonder and I headed for Tacoma. Which this weekend is hosting the Madrona Fiber Arts Winter Retreat. I dither every year about attending.  My attendance this year was purely a factor of yarn lust. I ( Read more... )