Knitting – Page 5 – Ink, Yarn & Beer

Arachne Mittens – Finished at Last!

I designed these mittens last winter, in February. I finally completed the pattern – it’s nice to have some time off to finish things! Also, I admit, sitting in front of the computer to learn photography software is quite a drag, and very frustrating . . . so I pulled out the needles, and have begun to knit again.

I wanted to have solid-colored thumbs on these mittens, and practice carrying long floats at the same time. It took a bit, and I learned, too, the need to randomize the stranding on the thumbs. When I didn’t, the yarn got stacked up in rows, and affected the final design. If you look closely at the picture, I did a boo-boo when I took the picture – you can see the thumb is rather puckered. The second mitten is much nicer.

The pattern is not too hard to follow, and but for beginners, the stranding may be a bit of a challenge. The carried yarn makes for warm mittens, and if you start now, you could have a pair for yourself – or a loved one! – in time for the December holidays. (Shameless plug, huh . . . )

If you are interested in buying the pattern, you can find them under “My Patterns” page, or find them here on Ravelry. Cost is $4.00.

Buying Toys, i

For anyone who loves fiber arts, places such as Convergence or Spin-Off Autumn Retreat are a bit of hog heaven. Vendors from all over the country come to sell their wares. Workshops and classes abound.

According to many vendors, the turn-out for this Convergence was disappointing. No major crowds on any day, just a slow stream of buyers. In some ways, this was great, because as a buyer who has been to really crowded venues, I could take my time and wander here and there – and then return yet again, not feeling rushed to get something for fear it would disappear five minutes later! However, this is not good for the sellers who have spent money to be part of the market place, who have traveled many miles to get to Long Beach, and who have also spent money on food and lodging.

I did my bit, and met some absolutely wonderful people, and caught up with a couple of my favorite people, John Novak of Village Spinning and Weaving in Solvang, CA, and John Marshall, the master of katazome dyeing from Covelo, CA.

I bought items for spinning, weaving, knitting, and sewing. For spinning and knitting I bought . . .

. . . the world’s best ball winder from Nancy’s Knit Knacks. Suzi Liles of the Eugene Textile Center. I also bought a cone of Harrisville Designs Shetland in Emerald Green from her, which I have already swatched on US 4 needles and washed.

Suzi was wonderful to talk with, and everyone who was at her booth was helpful and knowledgeable. Had I a few thousand dollars, I would have come away with another spinning wheel, and a pile of yarn.

For spinning I got some to-dye-for (bad pun!) baby alpaca from Christine at Grasshopper Springs Ranch.

You cannot even begin to imagine what a lovely touch this has . . .

And, oh, yes, I bought more things, too . . . but you will have to wait for the next installment to see!

When Otherwise Not Occupied

The D7K has been gone for 3 weeks, only to be returned with a “nothing wrong” with it. Well, I don’t agree. SD cards work at times, and other times do not, even if they worked the day before. Something is off. I’ve got a card in there which is recognized and working, and for now will transfer pictures with the camera attached to a USB cable. Let’s see what happens with this card – could conk out one day.

Until the camera went into the hospital, I did not realize just how much time I was spending with photography. I am not sure that this is such a good thing. Other activities certainly went by the wayside, such as knitting and painting, and I have missed those. The past three weeks has seen a pick-up in the knitting area, and I’ve begun some socks and a hat, and designing a sweater (yet again!) for Josh.

What this all means is that my activities need to be more diverse – it feels almost OCD to always be focused (if you will excuse the pun) so much on pictures and software.

Spring . . .

Nothing like cold weather to make you want to be warm, but nothing beats that first hint of spring in the air. The wind changes, the buds swell, leaves from crocus, tulip, and hyacinth emerge through the crusty snow. In a drab winter world, that brilliant green is a visual excitement.

Soon, a new pattern will emerge here. It is being written up over the next few days.

Skep – A New Hat!

This hat is a simple mosaic stitch pattern, with texture created using purl stitches along with knit and slipped stitches. Although mosaic knitting looks complicated, it really is not. The fact is, each knitted round (or round with purl stitches) is done in only one color. The slipped stitches pull the contrasting color up from the row below. The biggest challenge in writing up this pattern was actually in translating the written pattern into a charted design.

Besides the mosaic pattern, the foundation round of the hat is done in i-cord, invented or unvented by Elizabeth Zimmermann. This creates an edge that is tidy, but a bit stretchy. The result is a hat with a snug edge which helps the hat hold its shape. From the initial i-cord cast on, the first round increases the stitch count, and thence the pattern commences. You can purchase pattern on Ravelry – follow the link here, or else click on the pattern listing under my “page” column.

Although I did not make the pattern available in different sizes, it would be easy to modify the pattern for a very large head or a child, simply by adding or subtracting repeats.

What is a “Skep”?

A skep is an old word for a beehive, made of coiled straw or grass, and shaped into a conical formation. In the New World, there were no honey bees, and so when the Europeans settled, they brought their bees with them. The shape and texture of this hat made me think of a skep – thus its name!

Unfortunately, our honey bee population is being challenged by viruses or some other horrible illness, and their number is dwindling. Add to this, they are mating with African bees, which are known to be very aggressive. Neither is a good thing.

A Bee Artist

I would like to refer you to a site I really enjoy, Pencil and Leaf, which is the blog of an artist who does wonderful drawings and painting of bees and flowers. Buzz over to see her fine work.