Knitting – Page 7 – Ink, Yarn & Beer

Too Much!

Some people learn things as they go along, living life on a daily basis and incorporating the new stuff without the disruption of everything else. Not me. When I am curious about something, I jump headlong with both feet. This has its good points and bad points, the worst being it can become obsession – luckily, it never does. The thing is, I am a collector. I collect information. I collect things. And I don’t usually get rid of stuff, either in my mind (though I will as senility approaches), in my closet, under my bed, or in the garage. Granted, when I return to that interest, costs are very insignificant!

Lately, in case you have not noticed, I have been doing a lot of photography, to the point I decided to set up a blog separate from Ink, Yarn & Beer. Here, I really want to get back into more personal things, such as the painting and knitting design, as well as just discussions or whatever I fancy. At that other blog I can focus on photography and what I am doing there, create my little encyclopedia of links, blither on about what I am doing. I’ve gotten a few hits there, mostly spam, but that blog, like this one, is for my own pleasure. And to create balance.

My artistic side finds photography rather frustrating, but I am beginning to see how it is tweaking me at the same time. Thinking about how something is made – effects, colors, process – begin to move into other areas. Looking at the petals of a rose make me wonder how I can capture them with a brush using ink or watercolor. Looking at the light shadows in an image make me consider contrast and detail in a painting and why something in a painting works, or does not. Realism does not need to be done, but the impact created by color, shadow, tone, shape gives an illusion of reality or its impression.

The fact is, any form of art is limited only by the person doing it. This can because of a lack of tools or innovation, or because one is still in the process of becoming or doing. I am limited by my interests in a lot of things – painting, knitting, reading, writing, photography, gardening, hiking, traveling – and it keeps me from doing anything well. On Outlook I have different activities scheduled weekly – creative activities – and that doesn’t help either! Regardless, the plan is to try to do a bit more of all of it, and be focused on it when I can.

Spring Break: Day 4

This is being written after the fact. The fact is I spent most of yesterday lounging around, and taking naps. Morning nap in the sun. Late morning nap in the sun. Afternoon nap on the couch. And to bed at 8 p.m. Anytime I have vacation, I usually do this sometime during the break, and yesterday was the day! I think it’s just something I need to do.

That said, I’ve reconsidered some of my list. In the knitting arena, I don’t feel especially like being challenged, so I pulled out a shawl in the Old Shale – a traditional Shetland lace pattern – I’ve been knitting off and on. The pattern is easy to remember, knits up comfortably, and can be done in front of the TV or outdoors while listening to an audiobook. I’m using 10 skeins of Noro in a worsted weight.

The pattern stitch is done in multiples of 18; the shawl has a 3-stitch garter edge either side, and is being knit lengthwise. So, if you want to do something like it, here it is in a nutshell:

cast on 78 stitches
Knit 3 ridges garter stitch to show on right side of work, ending ready to begin pattern.
Row 1: K3, place marker, knit until 3 stitches remain on right needle, place marker, K3
Row 2: K3, purl to marker, K3
Row 3: K3, *k2tog 3x, yo k1 6 x, k2tog 3x* – repeat pattern between * * to marker, K3
Row 4: Knit entire row

I’ve decided that I am not too crazy about clothing knit up in Noro stripes – especially sweaters unless they are knit totally in the round. The colors are beautiful, but the structure of a garment is lost. As a result, the garment must be structured to work with the yarn. This pattern actually is a good one for Noro because the broad stripes of color can be appreciated, and the ripple effect of the stitch pattern creates a colorful wave. I hope I can finish it before I go back to work – 6 skeins left!

The Pinning

The Saroyan has landed – finished, and now pinned out – to the tune of The Wizard of Oz, Little Big Man, and The DaVinci Code audiobook. Very pleased with it – not too pleased with these pictures! It’s outdoors on the patio table, weighted down with a rock, just in case the wind picks up. Once it dries, all the loose ends will be woven in.

Copycat

After seeing how nice Lori’s Saroyan scarf by Liz Abinante looked, I decided to go ahead and do one myself. Mine is in a wool-and-llama blend in a heathered orchid color. It’s coming along nicely, and soon I’ll be on the descent into the decreases. I’ll wash it, and block it, and mark it for me! With our cold spring here in California, it is perfect for a chilly morning or late night walk.

That said, it also is fun to use knitting to play with different elements of photography. And it is also a good way to brag: See? I’m actually making something!

Knitting Saroyan is very easy. It took a bit to get used to reading the chart as I generally knit in the round, but that along with the written directions make for an easy project. I like the fact that there are markers to separate the body from the garter stitch from the leaf pattern – my way to knit! I can easily complete the pattern part while watching TV. Once done, I’ll block it out and take a few more shots, especially of the leaves.

Altogether, this is a satisfying project to knit – and to photograph! (You can see more pictures of my Saroyan here.)

Another Pair of Socks

I made these socks ages ago, using Noro Kureyon sock yarn. I, like many knitters, did not enjoy the knitting experience, but like the final product. These are warm and toasty and very comfortable to wear, far more so than the yarn implies while knitting.

The tops of the socks are easily reproduced, if you are interested. What I did was c/o 55 sts. Pattern for cuff are the following two rows: 1) k2, p 3 to end. 2) k all stitches. Continue until 4″ or desired length reached. Garter stitch 3 ridges (p 1 rnd, k 1 rnd, p 1 rnd, k1 rnd, p 1 rnd) and then continue until you are ready to begin heel. Make the rest of the sock as you so wish. My gauge was 6 sts / inch. Note: Do not expect a stretchy rib that will hug your ankle; I measured my ankle to give some room, but not much.