theraineysisters knitting and so much more

I know.  It’s been a long time since I posted.  I was under a big deadline over the summer and fall and did very little knitting.  Now I’m revising instead of writing so I have a bit more time for my favorite activity.

Before I post a recent project, though, I want to bid a very sad farewell to Shibui Knits.  They are closing their doors — no longer selling yarn.  I first encountered Shibui yarn at a store in Portland when my son was a student at Reed College.  I fell in love, especially with Silk Cloud.  There are many silk and mohair lace weight yarns out there, but none are as beautiful to me as Silk Cloud.  The colors!  The luminosity!  I also loved Pebble, especially when held double.  When I read the announcement that they were shutting down, I went on a panicky web search for some of their yarns.  I realized it was madness.  I have so much other yarn in my stash and so many projects I want to knit with other yarns.  I am going to hold on to the memories.  (Although some of their yarns may be on their way to my house . . . )  Goodbye Shibui!  We loved you!

Back to business.  One of the few sweaters I was able to complete over the past few months was Harper.  Unfortunately, this pattern isn’t available on Ravelry.  It’s a String Yarns pattern which you can purchase on their site.  A friend of Susan’s had knit it, and that’s how I heard about it.  I already had the yarn — their Dolcetto DK (merino and cashmere) in a beautiful charcoal — and wasn’t sure what to make out of it.  Susan suggested Harper and I cast on.

I made a few changes.  First, I lengthened it several inches.  Next, I switched out the set-in sleeve for a “T-shape” shoulder.  Then I picked up the sleeves and knit down.  Finally, because the front splits at the hem where the cable starts, I decided to mimic that split on the sleeve at the wrist.

My photos are NOT great — combination of winter light, dark yarn, and a sweater that looks better on a person than it does on an armless mannequin.  It’s simple but elegant.  The yarn is wonderful — butter soft and a dream to knit with.  At the price of that yarn, it should be beautiful!

I hope everyone has a wonderful, safe, healthy, and happy New Year.  Thank you for reading us.

PS from Susan to Pru: It’s true the cashmere yarn called for for Harper is $53/skein, but Dolcetto DK is only $28.  It totally feels like cashmere and has great yardage: 206 yds instead of 154.  It would only take 7-8 skeins instead of 9 for the largest size.

Here is a hat I made for John using leftover Dolcetto Worsted.  I didn’t have enough, so I added the Malabrigo Worsted cream yarn to stretch what I had.

I attempted to “fix” the fair isle pattern break — the far right >><< pattern.  The pattern is Laurelhurst, free on Ravelry.   A nice, quick holiday gift idea!!

I just finished this cute Chunky Fiola Headband and really enjoyed making it!  I used CaMaRose Snefnug, color Askegr (!) – that’s light gray to you!!  🙂  The yarn is of the “blown” variety and super soft.  This took 1.4 skeins, so 3 skeins would make two.

You start by knitting a long tube, which takes a day or two.  This is a gift for my daughter, so I made it longer — about 24 inches.  I had read on someone’s project page that you lose a couple of inches in length when you do the chains.  You drop 3 sts all the way down in 2 places for the two chains.  Then you hook back up, four loops at a time.  That was the fun part!!  Then you do some weird folding and seaming.   The pattern includes full photo tutorials.  So, a very quick and unusual gift!  Super warm.

I love it!!

PS to Alison:  The method described was pretty fast.  Three sts were dropped that were right next to each other, so it had to be done after knitting.