FO - Vine Lace Scarf

I just had to post another FO before the year ends, and as it happens, this one was a surprise favorite.



Pattern: my own (coming soon), using Barbara Walker's Vine Lace stitch, learned from the Jellyfish shrug
Size: one size
Yarn: Patons Brilliant 69% Acrylic 19% Nylon 12% Polyester, color 3008 Crystal Cream; I used a little less than 1 ball, 1.75 oz/50 g and 166 yards.
Needles: aluminum 9-inch size 10.5 (my mom's)
Modifications: all of it.

Started: December 23, 2007
Finished: December 25, 2007



In my mother's family, we do a Secret Santa exchange among the adults, each person giving someone else one (or a few) big, personal gifts rather than everyone getting something small and impersonal. My recipient was my cousin's new wife, whom I barely know, and all of the family told me she just wanted an Old Navy gift card. Begrudgingly, I bought her the gift card (I hate gift cards), but I thought "Well I'm knitting her something too."



I had an extra skein of Patons Brilliant from Hope's shrug, and I knew I liked the way it knit up on size 10.5 needles. I had intended to knit a Branching Out, but I just didn't like the way it looked. Most of all, it took me several hours to do just a few pattern repeats. It's a great pattern, but this wasn't the time for it.



Seeing as I was starting this gift with a matter of hours to go (and a pile of baking, wrapping, errands, and other knitting to finish as well), I needed a pattern that would go quickly, stretch the yardage, and look good. I started and frogged probably five different scarves in the middle of the night between the 23rd and 24th, and I was starting to feel despondent.



I remembered how nice the vine lace stitch pattern looked on the Jellyfish shrug, and with a tiny bit of math and some fiddling, I cast on in the wee hours of Christmas Eve, conking out to sleep after a few successful pattern repeats.



The next day and night, I knit like a fiend, relying on muscle memory and repetition to carry me through the lace. Thankfully, I didn't make any big mistakes, I didn't have to frog a stitch, and it came out smoothly and beautifully. I collapsed asleep near dawn on Christmas morning, thinking "I wonder how I'll block it?" as my head hit the pillow.



Blocking was what made this scarf. As it is a synthetic fiber, I was nervous that it wouldn't open up nicely. I didn't have time to soak it and pin it out, and I didn't think that'd make a huge difference anyway. I had read about steam blocking online, but I wasn't sure I wouldn't melt the metallic bits in the yarn.

Cautiously, I laid the scarf out on a towel and used the iron spritzer to get it gently damp. I used my fingers to spread the lace to the desired measurements and with the iron on the "nylon" setting (thinking that was the most flammable of the materials), I gently steamed it open. It came out spectacular, the fabric actually a bit softer but maintaining its lace integrity. I had picked this stitch pattern because it looked alright unblocked, but when pressed and spread out, it becomes a whole new level of elegance.



Though I don't really consider it a "design" in any appreciable sense, I really loved this process, and I'm already planning to knit another of these scarves. In all my rush to get the gift wrapped and out the door on Christmas day, I neglected to even measure it, having simply worked until I was almost out of yarn and it felt like a decent scarf length.

My cousin's wife loved it and didn't believe it was hand-made at first. She thought it was just a lovely store-bought trifle included with her gift, and when my aunt shared that I'd knit it, she was amazed. I was hoping it would become more special to her than the gift card, and based on her immediate wearing and subsequent admiration throughout the night, I think she will enjoy it for years to come.

I'm going to make another scarf for measurements and additional photos, then I'll make this pattern available for free in the new year. It's a great one-skein project and I think it made a pretty perfect little gift.

FO - Hope's Jellyfish Shrug

Two Christmas gifts had to fly under the radar around here. While I'm not sure that my best friend Hope reads this blog, I do know she sees my Flickr photos, and I didn't want to ruin the surprise.



I also finished this one with almost no time to spare before rushing it to the post office in an express envelope and crossing my fingers that it got to Boston on time (it did!).



Pattern: Jellyfish by Iris G in the July 2007 MagKnits
Size: Small
Yarn: Patons Brilliant 69% Acrylic 19% Nylon 12% Polyester, color 3008 Crystal Cream; I used a little less than 2 balls, each 1.75 oz/50 g and 166 yards, for approximately 332 yards total.
Needles: aluminum 9-inch size 10.5 (my mom's) and Knit Picks Options size 9.
Modifications: Changed yarn and needle size, accidentally changed lacy rib pattern.

Started: December 7, 2007
Finished: December 22, 2007

Hope is a sparkly, fun girl, a musician who works in IT by day, a classically glamorous style mixed with a punk-rock sensibility. She's recently lost a lot of weight and has many weddings to attend this year, so I thought a sparkly new shrug would complement all her pretty dresses in an exciting but relaxed way.



This project actually started with the yarn, a delicious cream color with gold metallic flecks running through it. It reminds me very much of champagne and shouted "I am for Hope!" from the shelf a year ago.



I consulted a Ravelry forum for suggestions, and everyone was taken with the Jellyfish in a solid color. I didn't know if I'd have enough yarn, since I was subbing a stretchy DK for worsted weight mohair, but I ended up with plenty, even some leftover.



I loved the fabric it created - nice structural stitch definition but very delicate drape.



I have adored this pattern since it came out, and it was an absolute pleasure to knit. The vine lace stitch pattern is beautiful, easy and simply flies by. I memorized it within the first few rows, which really helped me keep knitting through the very stressful last two weeks of the semester. The shaping is elegant and entertaining without becoming cumbersome, which I think is a mark of a brilliant pattern. I knew exactly what to do on every single row, but it didn't feel like I had my hand held - the instructions were clear and well-written and this project was a pleasure, through and through. I can't say enough good things about it.



This was the shrug while blocking, an interesting shape. I was very pleased that the lace opened up at this point, as I'd worried about using a synthetic.



I had a few accidental modifications when I got to finishing. When I picked up stitches for the ribbing, I ended up with spaces. Because they were regular, I decided it'd be a little lacy detail, and I didn't let it bother me.



I also misread the pattern while doing the lacy rib, so the order is a little off, but I kind of fudged it and think it came out alright. This project had such an all-over serendipitous quality that I really felt that anything I did was okay - it looked great no matter what!

I'm really happy with the outcome, and my friend absolutely loves it. She called me on Christmas Eve saying it fit perfectly and she would wear it to a New Year's Eve wedding - woohoo! I will ask her permission to post photos of it modeled soon. This was a really fun knit, a great gift, and a remarkably pleasant experience.

Crochet on the Runway

I've been watching the first season of Project Runway Canada with great interest on YouTube (you can check out all the episodes here).

I was really stoked when one of my favorite characters prominently featured crochet as a major design element in the finale show.

There was a pretty funny exchange toward the beginning of the episode, when the mentor raises an eyebrow at the crochet:

"What if somebody calls it a doily, what are you going to say to them?"
"It is a doily, I just glamorized the doily. It is a doily actually, that's the idea."

At times, like this crochet blazer, I thought it was exquisite.



Similarly, I could really appreciate when the crochet was incorporated into the cut of the design.



Other times, I felt like it was just crocheted circles, kind of stuck onto the clothes.



Iman (the host) said she liked this crocheted bikini and coat best.



Not bad, as far as crocheted bikinis go.

I don't really know anything about crochet, but I thought this was certainly an interesting application. At one point a competitor had said incredulously, "A $4000 crocheted blazer? My whole collection isn't worth $4000," and it made me wonder to what extent the crochet was innovative, or if it was simply a clever trim.

What do you think? Would you go for crochet couture?

Perfect Day, indeed

(Sorry this entry is just popping up now - I saved this as a draft and realized I neglected to post it).

I find myself rushing to finish my father's shooting gloves, now that I have in my hot little hands some of the most beautiful sock yarn I've ever seen.



Do you think I can crank out a pair of socks for him, too?



The yarn is from Perfect Day Yarns, a wonderful indie dyer I discovered on Ravelry. I've never purchased from an indie dyer before, sticking usually to WEBS and the Loopy Ewe for sock yarn.

Everything about this transaction was a pleasure. The site was easy to navigate, and the descriptions were clear and charming. Each yarn has a story, and I found them really entertaining to read. I especially love those named from poems and literary sources - it really speaks to my inner lit nerd.



I ordered one skein of Free Verse, in the Jungle colorway, which is a wonderfully manly wool/nylon 3-ply. Unlike most "masculine" sock yarns I've seen though, the colors are richly saturated and not at all muddy. There are highlights of vibrant greens that are evocative of the real lushness of a jungle. It is a spectacular array of shades and tonal variations along a subtle spectrum, and I cannot wait to knit it up.



If I don't make these in time for Christmas (and let's be honest, I probably won't), I'm sure I'll find another occasion to make this delicious yarn into socks for my father.





The second yarn I got is just pure fun, a superwash 100% merino 2-ply called Beat Sock in the color Xanadu.




Though I originally thought of Olivia Newton-John and roller skates, I loved the actual inspiration much more:

This beautiful colorway is inspired by Coleridge's Kubla Kahn or, A Vision in a Dream, A Fragment, surely colors from a vision in a dream.
Blues mix with golden orange and purples.

Once again, the color is intense and lovely, and feel like this is going to become one of my favorite pairs of socks.



I had a feeling I would be ordering from Perfect Day Yarns again, so I got a skein of both of my favorite yarns to compare. The Beat Sock yarn is slightly thinner and seems a bit more tightly spun than the Free Verse. In contrast, the Free Verse is a little squishier, with a texture very similar to Dream in Color Smooshy. Naturally, I love both and couldn't possibly pick a favorite.

The shipping was lightning-fast and included a highlighted note asking the mailman not to leave the package unattended outside my apartment (at my request - packages notoriously go missing in my building). The yarn was carefully packed with a sweet hand-written note.

I really couldn't be happier, and even though it may create more competition for me the next time I go to buy these gorgeous yarns, I thought I should share.

Now, back to my regularly scheduled Christmas rush!

FO - Toe-Up Magic Stripes Socks

I actually finished these socks at the end of November, but today is the first time I've had anywhere near enough light to photograph them.



I know there is some kind of irony (or foolishness) that I live with a professional photographer, yet it never occurs to me to ask him to shoot my knits. He's now on a month-long trip around Asia, so please bear with my attempts.



These are very probably my favorite socks I've ever owned, hand-knit or otherwise.



Pattern: Universal Toe-Up Sock Formula by Amy Swenson in the summer 2006 Knitty
Size: custom fit to a lady's size 9 with 9-inch foot circumference and 9.5-inch foot length (see notes below)
Yarn: Lion Brand Magic Stripes 75% wool 25% nylon, color 310-201 Denim Stripe; I used every speck of 3.50 oz./100 g (330 yd/300 m)
Needles: Knit Picks 6" nickel-plated double-pointed needles, set of 5 size 1 (2.25 mm)
Modifications: None, as they were custom fit to my feet.

Started: October 27, 2007
Finished: November 30, 2007



I absolutely loved every bit of this experience, as it was such a clear, specific, and elegant process. Every calculation paid off for a uniquely perfect fit.



The formula starts with a gauge swatch (you can see mine here), once you've got the combination of needles and yarn for the fabric you want. In this instance, my gauge was 8 stitches per inch.

From there, I used my foot circumference and length measurements and a lovely little formula from the pattern to derive a set of numbers. This was all incredibly easy math and because I'm a nerd for numbers, I loved the way mine worked out.



For my own future reference, my math and cheat sheet numbers are as follows:

gauge = 8 st/inch on size 1 DPNs

foot circumference = 9 inches
sock circumference = 9 x 0.9 = 8.1 inches
length of foot = 9.5 inches
length of foot - 1.5 = 8 inches (A)
desired length of cuff = (when I run out of yarn) (B)

sock circumference x gauge = 8.1 x 8 = 64.8 --> 64 stitches - Key Number (C)

Number of Stitches for Toe & Heel Short Rows: divide C by 2 = 64 / 2 = 32 (D)

Number of stitches at end of toe and heel: multiply D by 0.4 = 32 x 0.4 = 12.8 -- > 12 (E)

Cheat Sheet:
A - 8
B - when I run out of yarn
C - 64
D - 32
E - 12

The toes and heels are worked exactly the same, using short rows with wraps. Both are exquisitely comfortable and because I knit the sole to the exact length of my foot, the heels cup my feet so nicely.



I took this project with me on the subway, and I think it may have been what saved my sanity. This semester I was taking a French class in Manhattan, which involved three hours of traveling through rush hour twice a week. It doesn't sound like a lot, but it really adds up in terms of fast little rows of stockinette.



As I approached the end of my first sock, I started compulsively weighing the skein to determine the exact middle. I was excited at the prospect of using every last centimeter of yarn because I was working toe-up.



I found the half-way point and realized that I would be incredibly close to the stripe sequence at which I'd begun my first toe right at the mid-point of the skein.



It therefore only took a little bit of winding off and weighing to match my stripes precisely. As it happened, I was left with a small enough length of blue that I could split it evenly for the top stripes and incorporate it into the pattern where it belonged.



I really love when things go my way.



While I know that this pattern is basically just a generic toe-up formula, I think it's perfectly written to make simple sense of sock construction and get a custom fit.



It literally took me less than three minutes to calculate all my numbers and the pay-off is tremendous.



I can't recommend this method highly enough. The formula is also adaptable to other stitch patterns than stockinette, like cabling, lace, entrelac, and so on.

In this instance, I thought the stripes were such a strong design element that a simple and clean stitch best showcased what I loved about this yarn.



All in all, I couldn't be happier with this experience. I was so happy, in fact, that I immediately cast on for another pair of socks within minutes of finishing these. No second (or sixth) sock syndrome around here!

Previous Entries on this Project:
- Unfaithful
- Oh oh oh they're magic...

Zig-Zag Thud

I try not to be superstitious, but I can't help wondering if maybe this yarn just doesn't want to be a hat.



To be fair, I've never designed a hat before, and I have extremely limited experience in knitting hats. As in, I made one baby hat and one way-too-small Unoriginal Hat.

Looking at this yarn, I thought it would stripe nicely in zig-zags. I was toying with this idea when an episode of Ghost Whisperer came on, where Jennifer Love-Hewitt's character Melinda was wearing this hat:



I knew I had to give it a try.

Not having that reference photo on hand, I resorted to the only zig-zags I knew, from the Jaywalker sock pattern. It just happened that when I calculated my gauge and measured my head, I'd have the exact number of stitches that the larger size of the Jaywalkers called for. I thought it was fate.



I struggled a bit with how to do the decreases, but a Ravelry user very cleverly worked out a system of dropping the side increases while continuing the center double decreases.



Everything went as planned, but unfortunately it looks kind of like a helmet, with these weird scallops dipping into my eyes and leaving an opening that elongates my forehead.



Seriously, my forehead is not this long!



I tried to tell myself it looked like a cloche style, that it was actually very cute... but this delusion could not persist.

I think there is potential in this idea. Twice or three times as many zig-zags and a snugger fit would probably reduce the amount it dips down into the eyes. Also less ribbing would probably be a good idea.

The upside is, I still love this yarn and it's really comfortable as a hat. I'm planning to frog this one and do something fool-proof like an easy roll-brim hat, this time from a pattern and being honest with myself if I try it on and, once again, look a fool.

Third time's a charm, right?