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September 27, 2005
Evolution of an edge
One of the very first things that struck me while I was working on Annie Modesitt’s Backyard Leaves scarf (from Scarf Style), was the ingenious slip-stitched edging.
This edging: it’s reversible, lies flat, looks like stocking stitch... exactly the type of edge I needed for Trudie. And because this was not the first time I had been wishing for such an edge, I knew it would come in handy for all manner of projects in future. A little experimentation led to this:
For something like a neckband, or a front band on a cardi (as shown above), where you want something that looks like stocking stitch but which lies flat, this is perfect. Here’s how it’s made:
Cast on an odd number of stitches (the sample shown below uses 11).
Row 1: *K1, slip 1 with yarn in front* to last st, K1
Row 2: slip 1 with yarn in front, *K1, slip 1 with yarn in front* to end.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until your tubular edging is the desired length. Cast off and mattress stitch in place.
Next, I want to see what happens if I put buttonholes in it. Think it’ll work?
Posted by Anna at 01:39 PM | Comments (15)
September 26, 2005
Thundersocks
Gentle reader, if I owe you correspondence (and the chances are good that I do), please bear with me just a little while longer. I could not let my tardiness with email delay the uncoverment of my Sockpaltwoza socks. Debra, sadly blogless, captured all that is au courant in hosiery at Raitte Hall this autumn: lace, Koigu. The blow suffered from parting with my own lace Koigu socks, which even now are winging their way across the Atlantic, has been quite cushioned.
They have a delicate picot edge, and are the of colours rainclouds gathering on evening blue skies.
My feet are really very happy. Thank you Debra! And thank you Alison!
I almost forgot to add – Debra included in her parcel to me some adorable stitchmarkers, and two postcards one of which features some very charming cows. And an IOWA sticker (now on the fridge). I forgot to take pictures of them... now I'm using the markers and the postcards are being bookmarks, I fear it’s a little late.
Posted by Anna at 09:21 PM | Comments (17)
September 20, 2005
Trudie
Trudie, started 7 Aug 05 finished 8 Sept 05
Pattern: My own, available from Hipknits.
Yarn: Hipknits silk
Petals, and insect wings. In seaweed green and a rich deep purple, it put me in mind of peacocks, and scarab beetles. It feels refined, precious, cool and heavy against the skin.
Edit: a couple more pictures added, as requested by Francoise:
Posted by Anna at 10:27 PM | Comments (38)
September 18, 2005
Roundup
Many thanks to those who wrote with steadying words. Let me show you what I’ve been working on, so we can all be up-to-date.
Giotto socks, started 31 July 05 finished 18 Sept 05
Pattern: My own, available here, or as part of a set here here.
Yarn: Koigu KPPM 701
Only a few days late with my Sockpal2za socks. I think, where my sock chum lives, it will be too warm to wear woollen socks, even Koigu woollen socks, for several weeks yet. These will go in the post in the morning along with two postcards from my day of horsey-culture.
There are some more images of the work in progress here.
£2 - you will be sent a link to download the pattern as an electronic (pdf) file, approx 900K.
About once every five years I partake of one or two of London’s tourist attractions. As you may remember Mother Dear turned 60 this summer and celebrations have been prolonged. This visit, by Mother, Sister and Me, marked the official end to festivities. First we went to Stubbs at the National Gallery, then for a superior sort of lunch at the National Gallery cafeteria, followed by a short walk down St James’s Park to the Royal Mews. There we saw ma’am’s horses, carriages, Rolls Royces and spunky young coachmen, and had further confirmed the really dreadful taste shared by so many generations of royal; crowns, gold-plated cherubim and other palace-themed kitsch as far as the eye could see – only redeemed by Daniel, one of the Windsor Grey horses. I thought Daniel was a splendid name for a horse. A visit to a royal establishment is a distasteful proposition on many levels, but made an interesting visit historically and architecturally. The horses stalls were tiled in exquisite eau de nil hexagonal glazed tiles, with a herringbone brick floor. I envy the look for my own, human, home.
I digress.
Because it is such a wrench to part with these socks, I had immediately to start a new pair, for myself, which you saw in its embryonic stage here. It’s name is Nautilus, the pattern is reminiscent of Go With the Flow, and it has a similar sort of pace to knit up.
In this shade of Koigu (bought for a song from Kerrie) it reminds me of chain mail, or chainlink fencing. I’m wondering if I can get two footlets out of one skein.
Finally, and importantly, I must note that despite lack of communication, I am diligently working on my ‘Stitch Ya Neck Out’ scarf for Annie. It is Annie Modesitt’s Backyard Leaves scarf in DB Cashmerino Aran.
I picked this up and cast on after posting about ennui a couple of weekends ago. I was bored with my projects, which had been behaving tiresomely, and needed to do something else for a while. By Sunday at elevenses I had cast off the first half. I set it aside while I worked on some pieces with earlier deadlines, but now that three pieces are off the needles I can tackle this again. The pattern is utterly compelling: one repeat is never enough.
Posted by Anna at 04:47 PM | Comments (24)
September 16, 2005
It moves me
The ingenuity behind these techniques. That there’s no join.
Turkish cast-on as decribed in the latest issue of Vogue Knitting.
Posted by Anna at 11:03 PM | Comments (12)
September 13, 2005
Scullery Made
Very quickly, before I go to bed.
These are my first attempts at dyeing, under Kerrie’s careful supervision.
At the back is the silk, all blue and purpley, like Hipknits Sully but darker. I was aiming for a dark sky, when it’s almost dark but not quite, I could have gone darker but these blues are rich and beautiful. In front of that, gorgeous gorgeous cashmere sock yarn. These colours are so not ‘me’, the turquoise and heathery purple, but I like them. The yarn has it’s destiny planned. And in front, my love, my sweet, my pink and white merino sock yarn. Seaside rock. Possibly a paeony. There’s not many places you see that pink, certainly not many in nature. And this yarn is now dry. And so squeezable.
In the background you can see my large purple bottle of wool wash. Country Homestead Wool Mix. The perfect substitute for Eucalan. It is biodegradable, phosphate free, pH neutral, smells of lavender, lasts forever, and you don’t have to rinse it out. It's made in Australia, but if you live in Britain you can get it from Lakeland.
Posted by Anna at 11:21 PM | Comments (15)
September 12, 2005
Dyeing (not dying)
In between bouts of feeling sorry for myself, I spent a wonderful Saturday with Kerrie, dying yarn for Hipknits. It was a lovely day, despite the rain. I had such fun, being the type of person who finds peace and quiet (not even the hum of a computer), yarn, colours, and horses, fun. We got through quite a lot of dying, I thought, though I know Kerrie was disappointed that we couldn't get to the large consignment of silk (it being held up in customs). It’s been such a long time since I’ve done any ‘messy play’, or since I've mixed colours... I’ve been thinking non-stop whether I could manage any dying at home without entirely sacrificing my white kitchen cupboards. The only down side was the traffic getting home; the A406 north circular on a Saturday evening – should come as no surprise to anyone who has ever driven in London. But I did see some spectacular lightening displays.
The best part of all? Some yarn of my own to bring home! It’s still drying in my bathroom (the weather has been dank and humid, not at all conducive to good drying). Some merino and some cashmere sock yarn, and lots of that glorious silk. I’ll try and take some pictures this evening.
Thank you Kerrie for inviting me to play – I’ll definitely come again! And thank you so very much too to Jenna, who made us spaghetti carbonara for lunch (the poor girl was half-starved because we lost track of time and didn't turn up to eat til 3 in the afternoon).
Posted by Anna at 09:17 AM | Comments (12)
September 11, 2005
Fighting, losing
Apologies for the lack of posts. Ennui has become depression. I am fighting, but losing. In the meantime this, via Juno. (I promised myself I wouldn’t do this. I promised myself there would be no black dog on this blog.)
From my Birthday Calendar. Moody? Stubborn? Tends to egoism? This sounds a lot like someone you know.
My birth tree is
Fir Tree, the Mysterious
Extraordinary taste, dignity, cultivated airs, loves anything beautiful, moody, stubborn, tends to egoism but cares for those close to it, rather modest, very ambitious, talented, industrious uncontent lover, many friends, many foes, very reliable.
My lifepath number is 8. Materialist? Competitive? Lonely? Oh yes. Discounting the feelings of others? Ask my sister.
With the Life Path of the number 8 you are focused on learning the satisfactions to be found in the material world. The Life Path 8 produces many powerful, confident and materially successful people. You are apt to be very independent, forceful and competitive. Your routine is involved in practical, down-to-earth affairs, and there is relatively little time for dreams and visions. You will want to use your ambitions, your organizational ability, and your efficient approach to carve a satisfying niche for yourself. Most of your concerns involve money and learning of the power that comes with its proper manipulation. This Life Path is perhaps the one that is the most concerned with and desirous of status, as an accompaniment to material success. If you are a positive 8 you are endowed with tremendous potential for conceiving far-reaching schemes and ideas, and also possessing the tenacity and independence to follow them through to completion. In short, you are well-equipped for competition in the business world or in other competitive fields of endeavor. You know how to manage yourself and your environment. You are practical and steady in your pursuit of major objectives, and you have the courage of your convictions when it comes to taking the necessary chances to get ahead.
The negative 8 can be dictatorial and often suppresses the enthusiasm and efforts of fellow member of the environment. Often, the strength of their own personality excludes close feelings for other people with whom they come in contact. Material gains and rewards often become issues of utmost importance, even to the neglect of family, home and peace of mind. Dedication to success can become an obsession. Emotional feelings are often suppressed by the negative 8, resulting in isolation and loneliness. All Life Path 8 people must avoid discounting the opinions of others.
Posted by Anna at 05:49 PM | Comments (14)
September 03, 2005
Claude addendum
Claude. In working the sleeve, I give the instruction “Cont without shaping until sleeve measures 21 cm (9.5 inches), ending with a WS row.” The measurement should be 24 cm (9.5 inches) (correct as shown on the schematic).
Posted by Anna at 03:23 PM | Comments (0)