theraineysisters knitting and so much more

October 16, 2009

From Susan — New Player in Town

Filed under: Topsy Turvy — lv2knit @ 6:56 pm

First of all, thank you for the very kind words about my Aeolian Shawl.  Some of you went WAY overboard, and I loved it!

Today I checked out a new yarn shop in my area: Shepherd’s Choice in Anoka, MN.   It is a very nice shop — it does not try to be all things to all knitters.  I would call it more of a specialty or niche shop.  They carry all of the varieties and colors of all the Blue Sky Alpacas yarn.  And that, my friends, is worth the trip!  Wow.  Wow.  BSA yarn is fantastic.  They also carry most, if not all, of their patterns and had a lot of shop samples. 

In their own words:

Shepherd’s Choice is a yarn shop located in historic downtown Anoka, Minnesota. We offer exquisite and exclusive yarns for hand-knitters and crocheters.

Shepherd’s Choice also offers a line of natural products that are hand-crafted in small batches using the most environmentally “friendly” ingredients possible [soaps, lotions, essential oils]. Only high quality vegetable oils, pure essential oils, herbs and spices make these products truly luxuriant. Synthetic fragrances, colors, and preservatives have no place in Shepherd’s Choice products.

Over 10% of all profits are given to charities intent on relieving hunger and promoting education around the world. Use love to create a just, peaceful, stable world.

I will definitely be going back!!

My current project is a Topsy Turvy Moebius using Surly’s homegrown pattern.  It will be done TODAY (if it kills me).  Sally has been out of town of late and therefore hasn’t had time to put the finishing touches on the pattern, but it will be forthcoming.  It is a really nice pattern, if I can plug Sally’s work!!

Since I have no pictures, I’ll include this:

BHG by you.
Click on picture to enlarge

This picture, from the October Better Homes and Gardens, caught my eye.  First, because there is knitting in it and it’s not a knitting magazine!  Second, because the scarf looks like my Merci Scarf (and I do not mean to imply they used my “pattern,” which is really just a seed rib), and third, because the knitting is so – dare I say it? – full of boo boos.  I just wanted to say to the magazine, “Oh, Hon.  Go back and fix your mistakes.  The pattern is all messed up.  Please, rip it out!!”  Must. Avert. Eyes.

But they do show knitting and they do show beautiful, beautiful yarn, so I’m not complaining!!  Really.

Kay said, “Must have been a new knitter. If that’s the case, I think it’s a pretty good scarf.”  And I agree!  It IS a pretty scarf!  I just can’t help myself!  I see mistakes*!  Aaaaarrrrgggggggggghhhhhh!!  I need medication… 🙁

*Unfortunately, I tend to miss my own mistakes and must rely on the kindness of others to point them out!!

October 12, 2009

From Susan — from 3 to 983

Filed under: Susan's Aeolian Shawl — lv2knit @ 7:18 pm

You start with 3 [sts] and end with 983.  And there is a wild ride in between!  I am talking about the Aeolian Shawl (free pattern from Knitty) which is my latest FO.  I started this at the end of August and finished it over a week ago, but could not bring myself to block it.  It has a strange shape (like a Cylon raider) and I thought it would be a complete PITA to pin out. 

It was not as bad as I expected because I just eyeballed it and let it do its own thing.  Here is my Cylon Raider being blocked:

Aeolian Blocking by you.
Aeolian Shawl

Aeolian Blocking by you.

If you know this shawl, you’ll see that I changed the center back point: I did not like the plain “tail” so I continued the floral motif all around the border (much harder than it sounds!).  And, do you see the beads?  The hundreds and hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of beads (~2500??!!??)?  All placed one by one onto the appropriate stitch using the crochet hook method?

Beads by you.

The shawl being modelled by Lettie:

Aeolian 014 by you.

Compare to the shriveled, pre-blocked shawl:

Vesterheim 004 by you.

Project Notes:

Grade: A
Pattern: the Aeolian Shawl
Size Made: Largest version (there are three sizes given)
Yarn: Baruffa Cashwool (1460 yds/100 gms, 100% extra fine merino, color: Eggplant 26809) — the yarn was a lovely gift, thanks to “RH” (mwah!!)
Beads: Japanese Size 8 (~2500)
Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm) Addi Lace

I loved making this shawl.  It was well written and very creatively done.  The only errors were of my own making (though none made it through to the end product that I am aware of — fingers XXX’d).  I would never make this again UNLESS I were to knit a bead-free version!  The beads slow you down to a crawl.  There are also a lot of nupps, which do not bother me, but do bother some other knitters.   I love the complexity of the design and the visual impact.  The beads give my shawl some heft, which I think is nice because the yarn is SO lightweight.  All in all, I am extremely pleased.  Thank you, Knitty!

PS — it snowed again today 🙁

PPS — I was asked why I did not pre-string the beads onto the yarn.  Generally, I prefer to pre-string beads because it is faster in the long run, BUT they do not knit into the project the same way (see picture below).  Placing the beads as you go was the method chosen by the designer.  Also, for a project of this size, the yarn would completely disintegrate if you had to push 2500 beads along cobweb laceweight for 1100 yards.  But, as I said, it sure did take a long time to add those beads!!

October 10, 2009

From Susan — The Theater of Seasons that is Minnesota

Filed under: Updates — lv2knit @ 10:06 am

Did I mention it is the theater of the absurd??

October in Minnesota by you.
October Morning in Minnesota

Jeesh.

More on the Yarn Harlot’s Lace Cowl

JOY by you.

GinkgoKnits asked about the yarn I used.  I would have mentioned the details but I was too lazy to go dig it out!  It is from Just Our Yarns and is called Myne.  It is micro-thin 100% cashmere (I held it double to make the cowl).  Sally is the one who originally bought it so I was 100% sure she would like the color 🙂 .  On their site, they warn that each color is unique, so purchase all you will need because the color varies, even within the same lot.  Sally thought they said, “Buy all of it you can get your hands on.”  😉  She ended up with so much, she gave me several skeins.  Enough to make many cowls, or a shawl or…you get the idea!

October 8, 2009

From Susan — FINALLY!!

Filed under: Updates — lv2knit @ 7:47 am

It’s about time, Steph!  I made this cowl for Surly for her birthday last February, but could not share it on the blog because Stephanie (aka Yarn Harlot) had not shared the pattern yet.  She allowed me to be an unofficial test knitter because I begged.  Just.  Plain.  Begged.  Pathetically.  It is a stunningly beautiful lace cowl knit in cashmere.  Here is my version (now Sally’s):

Lace Cowl by you.
Pretty Thing Lace Cowl by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee in stash cashmere

The pattern is available on Ravelry.  I love it, Sally wears it.  Go make one!!

Does my head look gone by you.

October 5, 2009

From Susan — Let the Blood Bath Begin!

Filed under: Updates — lv2knit @ 7:38 pm

I am not a football fan.  I am not a Vikings fan* (though I live in Minnesota).  But even I am going to watch tonight’s game!!    XXXXX XXXXX Hoping we win!

*Surly is a huge Vikings fan!

PS: Woo Hoo!  Great game! 

PPS: Now the Twins just won a twelve-inning nail biter to become the Central Division Champs!!  Again, I’m not much of a sports fan, but I can sure appreciate an exciting game!

October 3, 2009

From Susan — You Drove HOW Far??

Filed under: Updates — lv2knit @ 7:04 pm

Yes, I drove 6 hours (total, round trip) to see sweaters.  None of my non-knitting peeps can fathom why anyone would do such a thing, but you — my people — will understand completely.  These were not just any sweaters.  These were Elsebeth Lavold’s knitwear collection at the Vesterheim Gallery — Knitting Along the Viking Trail.  Special knitting friend Kathy accompanied me.  We met Friday a.m. at 7 am and arrived at the Vesterheim, in total anticipation before 10:00.  The exhibit did not disappoint:

Vesterheim Gallery by you.

We felt like kids in a candy store!  It was breathtaking and wonderful and overwhelming all at once.  I had brought along my copy of Viking Patterns for Knitting so we could see which designs were represented.  Most were there.  From the cover:

Vesterheim 018 by you.

There were so many gorgeous sweaters, it is hard to pick favorites, but here are some that I really liked or recognized:

Vesterheim 007 by you.

Vesterheim 006 by you.

Vesterheim 054 by you.

Vesterheim 055 by you.

Vesterheim 052 by you.

Vesterheim 053 by you.

Vesterheim 049 by you.

Vesterheim 015 by you.

Vesterheim 013 by you.

Cul de Sac by you.

Cul de Sac Back by you.

Vesterheim 016 by you.

Dragon Back by you.

Vesterheim about Runes by you.

There were many more, but I have made this a long post already.  I must give a shout out to a wonderful knitting store in Decorah, Iowa: the Blue Heron Knittery.  It is located just a few blocks down from The Vesterheim.  It is a beautiful shop, filled with gorgeous yarns and friendly people.  We felt right at home and were made to feel very welcome.

After lunch and yarn shopping , we made one more pass through the gallery.  I was so thrilled to be able to see these works of art in person and be immersed in the joy that is knitting.  I left exhilarated, inspired and exhausted.  And a special thank you to Kathy for being my companion on the journey — we laughed, we cried, we ate.  What a great day!!!

September 29, 2009

From Sally — Topsy Turvy

Filed under: Topsy Turvy — Tags: — surly @ 11:10 am

Last May, I bought some gorgeous yarn: two skeins of Rhapsody from Artyarns. It’s a wonderful combination of silk and mohair (a strand of unplied silk and a strand of Kidsilk Haze or its identical twin) in an acid chartreuse green. Here is a photo Susan took of me eyeing the yarn before I admitted I to myself that I was taking it home.

I couldn’t quite figure out what to make with it as I only had about 500 yards. Then, two weeks ago, a knitting friend (Hi Phyllis!) reminded me of the moebius I knit a few years ago out of pale pink Kidsilk Haze and suggested that as a good use for my Rhapsody. (You can just see my pink moebius in the lower right hand corner of this photo of my stash of pink yarn.)

I didn’t want to use the same pattern (which is a good thing since I couldn’t find mine anyway). I decided to make up my own because I hadn’t been feeling frustrated enough lately. It’s tricky making up a moebius pattern because the knitting grows from the center out and the pattern in effect reverses itself. I did a lot of experimenting and ripping out, but I do like the results. It fits me better than Lucy; her shoulders aren’t quite broad enough to let it hang right. If I were to knit this same pattern again with this yarn, I might make it a little bit smaller in circumference. It did turn out larger than I expected, even after swatching, blocking, measuring. Le sigh. But I do LOVE the color of this yarn, and that’s the most important part of this particular project. I named it Topsy Turvy because the blocks pull in different directions and the pattern reverses itself.

September 26, 2009

From Susan — SABLE

Filed under: Updates — lv2knit @ 9:30 am

SABLE = Stash Acquisition Beyond Life Expectancy…here is one way you might outlive your stash!!

And, if you haven’t seen the baby dancing, here it is.  2CUTE4Words

September 25, 2009

From Susan — 50 Hats

Filed under: Wrapped in Care — lv2knit @ 10:08 am

Yogurtandgranola on Ravelry has offered up this challenge:

“My friend and I are collecting hats for the Simpson Housing Shelter to give as gifts on Christmas Eve. Details below, ALL knitters are welcome and encouraged to participate. Please contact me [Yogurtandgranola ] with questions. Thank you!

The Details:

  1. Knit a hat for a man. Any weight yarn. Any pattern. Knit something that you would feel comfortable giving to a man in your life whom you love (husband/partner, dad, brother, friend, etc.). Complicated or simple, it’s totally up to you.
  2. Mail your hat to: 50 Hats for Christmas First Universalist Church ATTN: Catherine/UU Stitchers 3400 Dupont Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55408 USA

Deadline: Saturday, December 5, 2009

Remember: Minnesota winters are COLD (how could we forget?). Being homeless in this state is a tragic thing (being homeless anywhere is a tragic thing) so having a warm hat to pull over your ears will go a long way towards keeping a person’s spirits up and feet moving in the right direction. To that end, wool yarn is definitely recommended.

The goal is 50 hats for Christmas. Think we can do it?

Thanks, Knitters. I knew you’d agree. 🙂

(And when we surpass 50–since we’re well on our way–we’ll partner with other shelters to share the love. So just keep ‘em coming!)”

Can we help them out?  50 hats in ~two months seems more than doable.  Let’s start knitting!!  Keep it simple and warm! 

If you have a great hat pattern, please share the link.

Thanks, all!

PS: Check out the view from our window this morning:

Fox 003 by you.

Little Foxy here is very interested in the tree full of sparrows!

September 22, 2009

From Sally — Where Did This Come From?

Filed under: Updates — surly @ 10:59 am

On Saturday evening, I was invited to a casual birthday party for a dear friend. That afternoon, I rooted through my closet looking for something to wear. It was a beautiful day, but it was a bit cool and we were going to be out in the country where the temperatures would be lower than in DC. So I wanted a sweater.

Looking for something else — although I am not sure what — I stumbled across something stuffed into the back of a shelf. It was one of those “I finished this but I’m not sure I’m happy with it” projects. I’d never worn it. The ends weren’t even woven in — a sure sign of failure. It was a cardigan designed by Martin Storey, called Plaza. The original design has these intriguing crocheted corkscrews dangling all over the deep shawl collar:

I actually made them, put them on, and then removed them. They were lovely in the design’s photo but on me: not so much. Anyway, out of curiosity and desperation I tried the sweater on. Hey. This doesn’t look so bad, I thought. I asked my husband; he liked it.

Well, it was a casual party among friends. Why not? I wore it and got lots of compliments on it. So although it may not be my favorite sweater, I’m putting it into the rotation. And here it is:

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