Nuppified (rhymes with stupified): to be overcome by the desire to knit nupps; the act of knitting nupps; an incurable form of insanity
We have both been nuppified. We are either in the process of or shortly finished with nupp-filled projects.
From Susan
In my convalescence, I have been focusing on smaller projects and have finished two of them. I will share the second one first! I stumbled upon a really lovely pattern on Ravelry (another freebie no less!) and thought it would be perfect for the gorgeous yarn given to me by sister, Sally, as a nice little present: Spirit Trail Fiberworks’ Atropos — 100% Bombyx Silk Laceweight, 550 yds/50 gm, Color “Dance the Orange.” A stunning semi-solid orange that looks like the brightest color that copper can be. This was one of Sally’s treasures from Maryland Sheep and Wool — she snagged a skein for each of us.
The yardage was enough for something smallish. The pattern I chose was Fylleryd by Mia Rinde. It has the advantage of being adjustable to any size, plus I liked that it had nupps.
I can’t get great photos and I should not have blocked it (too much time off the couch!). I worked four repeats of the petit pattern and two of the blueberry — the third set of nupps is in the final chart. All of 3 grms of yarn remained — whew! I was sweating those last few rows!
From Sally
I’ve always had a special interest in Estonia because one of my close childhood friends was of Estonian descent. Every Saturday, she and her sister attended Estonian school to learn the language and culture. Anne taught me several words in Estonian, which I still remember all these years later: ema (mother), isa (father), and nupp (pain in the ass button). I was casting around (knitting pun, please groan in unison) for something to knit out of the Atropos I had bought for myself. Susan suggested the Crown Prince Shawl from Knitted Lace of Estonia by Nancy Bush. I had somehow missed this book when it first came out, but I bought it immediately and started knitting. Here is a photo of the shawl from the book.
Now, nupps have the reputation of being a bit of a pain in the button. They’re not difficult, but they can be fiddly; it is easy to miss a nupp loop when you are purling them together and it is also easy to accidentally catch the next stitch while reducing the nupp loops. But they are a hallmark of Estonian knitting and the effect can be lovely as the Crown Prince shawl shows.
Here is a photograph of the yarn I am using: Atropos in the shade Dragon’s Blood. (I just couldn’t resist the color even though I have so much red lace weight yarn in my stash.) The coppery orange skein tossed in is the same color Susan used for her Fylleryd.
From Susan: Sally’s picture captures the orange beautifully
And here is a photo of my Crown Prince in progress. It’s pretty tiny so far. I think I have more of a Baron or Duke than a Prince right now.
So you can see we are well into our nupps and demonstrating lots of sisterly cross pollination of knitting projects!
Stash Reduction Sale!!!
Susan’s Thursdays at 4 Knitting Group is hosting a stash busting sale this Saturday from 9a-4p. All items are a third to half off and there are some fantastic yarns from which to choose! If you are interested in the details, leave a comment requesting information and Susan will email you with the information.
PS: Yes, nuppification is very contagious!
PS2: Patricia mentioned two fabulous shawl patterns: the ever popular Swallowtail by Evelyn Clark and the Percy Shawl by Sanna Kalkman. We have both made the Swallowtail and the Percy is stunning — must be added to queue!
Wow! There certainly are a lot of nupps there. These are a couple of nupp heavy projects. I put them on my swallowtail shawl, and had trouble getting all the loops in on my P5tog. In several places I missed one or two and had to do nupp repair work later. I think if the yarn had been less fuzzy, it would have been easier. I love the final result, however.
Your shawls look fabulous.
Comment by joanna — June 2, 2011 @ 4:00 pm
What a gorgeous post from both of you. Funny, we were just talking about how much we enjoy your blog at my Thursday afternoon knitting group. I think I may have to buy the Estonian Lace book — I’ve been eying it for a while. Susan, the Fylleryd is lovely; I hope your recovery is progressing as well as your knitting is. And Sally, I love your rec crown prince. I don’t think I would have the patience for that many nupps.
Comment by Astrid — June 2, 2011 @ 4:25 pm
I have nupp envy… These shawls are so beautiful. I just might be inspired to cross to the nupp side and try some.
Comment by GailR — June 2, 2011 @ 4:26 pm
Stunning. Simply stunning. I have yet to go down the slippery slope of lace (let alone nupps) but it’s posts like this that make me want to take a step closer. Keep doing the amazing work you do… it’s inspiring.
Comment by Kyle Kunnecke — June 2, 2011 @ 8:30 pm
Simply beautiful! I have never attempted nupps. You both make it look so … do-able, and totally worth the effort.
Comment by Kym — June 3, 2011 @ 11:50 am
You are working on 2 beautiful shawls. I’m interested in your stash reduction sale and would appreciate getting more info. Thanks.
Comment by Elizabeth — June 3, 2011 @ 12:51 pm
Once again, I am in AWE!!! These shawls are so gorgeous! I am not familiar with knitting ‘nupps’ but now I see that they can be incredibly beautiful. Maybe someday. . . (sigh!). . . I love your blog and I love your work – thanks so much to both of you!
And to Susan, best wishes for a healthy recovery.
Comment by Barb — June 3, 2011 @ 3:25 pm
do you think that nuppification is contagious?
Comment by dana — June 3, 2011 @ 4:50 pm
Have either of you got the Haapsalu shawl book? I got it on special from amazon.co.uk. Amazing book – nupps galore!! Experienced knitters only as there are no line by line instructions for shawl construction.
BTW – loving your blog!!
Comment by Helen — June 4, 2011 @ 6:20 am
Two years ago I knitted an Eastonian stole by Evelyn Clark that started me on nupps. I love them! When I need a really quick to knit shawl that will knock the socks off nonknitter friends I whip out one of her Swallowtail shawls. I’d recommend that pattern to ‘newbie-nuppers’.
Have either of you tried the freebie “Percy Shawl“?
I’ll watch with great envy your progress on Crown Prince! TTFN!
Comment by Patricia — June 4, 2011 @ 3:20 pm
Fact: nupps really are(can be) a PIA – –
Fact: nupps really make you feel like “a real lace knitter” – ’cause they can be a
PIA & yet are so bee-utiful
Fact: nupps aren’t hard – they just require careful attention – – like YO’s . . . .
Fact: I can royally screw them all up, but still – – –
I knit ON. . . .
it’s what we do. . . .
Comment by Metta — June 4, 2011 @ 6:58 pm
Nuppin’ doin’. At least, that is what I say. I know I have nupps in my future – especially when you two do such a nice job of them!
Comment by twinsetellen — June 5, 2011 @ 3:57 pm
The shawls are stunning!! Any advice for working nupps? When I worked mine, the yarn broke in a few places.
Thanks.
Karin
Comment by Karin — June 6, 2011 @ 1:12 pm