Swatching Flat for In-the-Round

Happy New Year!  

I'm getting ready for MasonDixonKnitting's Bang Out a Revolution, a KAL that begins the first of February, in which we are making 

a top-down cabled yoke (sweater) using one of the many pieces of 

Norah Gaughan's in the brilliant Field Guide no9 Revolution and/or Interchange patterns.

The yarn I've chosen is the rich and gorgeous Hektos from Julie Asselin in the color London. 

Yes, yes, another grey sweater - but really - it's not just grey.  

There's a sweet layer of teal in there plus a little red and green and even a tiny bit of pink and purple.

Swatching Flat for In-the-Round

To begin to swatch cast on at least 26 stitches

onto the circular needle that you would use for the project. 

Knit across.

*Measure off 1-inch of relaxed yarn per stitch and make a slip-knot at that measurement.

Slide the stitches to the other end of the circular needle, place the slip-knot onto the right-hand needle and knit across using the looped end of the yarn.

Slide the stitches to the other end of the needle, remove the slip-knot and knit across.*

 

As you can see, the left-hand side of the fabric is very wonky

and should not be measured for your gauge. 

However, the right-hand side is firm and perfect.  

This is one of the reasons that I prefer this method over pulling the yarn loosely across the back (which results in both edges being distorted).  Also, it lays perfectly flat.

I did steam the fabric for the last photo but will bind off and wet block to confirm that I'm achieving my target gauge.

Follow along at the MDK Lounge for an already lively discussion. 

I'm making the Calligraphy yoke as a pullover and will begin with a provisional cast on.  Stay tuned for how and why!

PS.  I've been wearing this fab Wool & dress - made of a merino/nylon knit -

with POCKETS 

each day for a 100-day challenge.  

Follow me on Instagram and check out the tag to see!

I did not receive a free dress but chose to purchase and participate.

Slow Fashion October

Many of us regularly consider Slow Fashion; the origin and lifespan of our garments. I'm no longer much for fads - they often pass me by without a glance.  In either direction. 

While reading the first post on Fringe, in what is likely to be a marvelous prompt to look deep within our closets and by extension ourselves I'm considering my color palette. 
Black, some Blues, cool Grays.  

Meanwhile, I'm working on my Rhinebeck Sweater, Exit 19, in Jill Draper's delicious Empire, which is a color that I love and will go with all of the above.

I've added one of the 2 pockets. Oh, Pockets!
Have you listened to the latest episode of Articles of Interest from 99% Invisible?
Fabulous.  Thank you Avery Trufelman!

We're working on some reknits and updates of patterns, here are Sparrow Mitts and Timberline Hat in Jill's new Kingston.

While my hands are busy I'm avoiding most of the news and listening to Circe, a marvelously crafted Mythology read by Perdita Weeks.  
It's mesmerizing, mindful, delicious and makes me want to Smash the Patriarchy. 

xo

Fall Plans

Rhinebeck is less than 40 days from now, and I'm giddy with the thought of crisp air,  colored leaves, and a cider doughnut.

The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others
only a green thing which stands in their way.
 ~William Blake

My sweater is knit and ready to assemble, and 

I have a hat and mitt update in Jill Draper's new Kingston yarn.

There are several new patterns so very close to publication. 

Hiru

From November 15 - 18  I'll be in the beautiful mountains of Northern Georgia at  Dahlonega Spa, to teach at the Yarn and Yoga (and Whiskey!) retreat; there are only a few spots left, do join us!

If you'd like to know a little more about me, I've had some lovely interviews here and here. 

Finally, I've knit a few blocks of the Mitered Crosses Blanket to be added to several blankets of love; if you have a few hours and some worsted weight wools, it's a mighty good feeling to share. 

Until next time, Happy Knitting!

100 Days

#the100dayproject

___________________

#100daysoffinishingWIPs

I've been inspired, 

stash of yarn is sorted and labeled

some WIPs are now FOs 

and some FOs are patterns.

#whatsmakingmehappytoday

This is Liminal!

It uses Louet Mini Skeins from my good friends at Mason Dixon Knitting.

The sample was knit, I'd hit a snag with the sizing due to the mini-ness of the skeins.

A solution was found and a new tech editor was located.

Hooray, now you can knit one, too!

This is my mod of 100 Acts of Sewing Dress #2

Now sleeveless with a slightly more open neck, perfect to pop over tees.

It needs bias binding, I'm thinking of cutting some of my indigo dyed fabric.

This was a long-languishing cardi of Rowan Wool Cotton, 

which is now completely assembled and 

awaiting a decision on the right band techniques and buttons.

Check out the pile of markers, all in this sweater noting 

increases, decreases, and other measurements.

This Ichi needed a few seams and ends run in.  

This Ichi variation needs a pattern edit and both are in my closet.  

Ichi's are knit with a few 450 yard cones of Habu Tsumugi Silk 

(I see that Habu's current put up has been changed to 265 yard balls)

I've been working on many less interesting or very secret things, 

and have enjoyed our tempestuous spring, and it's pink flowers.

Keep up with daily posts on Instagram and follow some great hashtags.

Heavenly Lilacs

Gauge - It's Much More Than a Number

I've just finished Banging out a Carbeth.

The original design was knit with a double strand of Buachaille, a yarn that I have yet to have the pleasure of working with - therefore I don't know it's particular qualities.

The pattern gauge is stated as 3.5 stitches to the inch.  

What is unknown is the actual fluidity of that fabric - that best suits the design 
as it was intended.

Two Swatches

Log Cabin A Long with Rowan Kid Silk Haze

(a swatch that just happens to be right here)

Carbeth with Quince Osprey

Both of these fabrics measure approximately 4 stitches to the inch, 

but are a world apart in everything else.

Just where am I going with this?  

As happy as I am with my dense-ish fabric sweater, 

I think that I would have LOVED a lighter weight yarn knit in a more open stitch.

 Perhaps this beautiful Romney Worsted from Prado de Lana?
It's perfect.

New Year.

A most frigid outing to the shore at Ocean View Beach Park, 7 January 2018 

Here are some highlights of the first week of this shiny New Year -

I'm working on a wrap for the Fringe and Friends Logalong

In my stash, I found the bag of Rowan Kid Silk Haze odd balls that I'd been collecting... and chose a few 

I've chosen 6 of these colors and ordered just one more to fill in a gradient gap.

This is Court House Steps, a variant of Log Cabin.  

Pithy Notes : It begins with 5 stitches.  

The ratio is 5 horizontal ridges or 10 vertical ridges, which will keep the desired rectangular shape. With this spiral design, if the bind off is done with the RS facing, the yarn tail is ready for picking up the next section... since there are 4 sections with each color, that will avoid A LOT of fiddly little ends.

I'm waiting for a skein of what I hope is a better grey to hit the mailbox.

I also remembered this WIP from 2006.  There's a shade or 2 of Noro Kureyon, Stonehedge Mills Shepherd's Wool Worsted, several colors of Kristen Nichols original run of Julia (which I LOVE) and Cascade 220 from felting days.

I have nearly completed knitting all of the yarn that was stored with it and will make a little border of black, which I had leftover from Haley's beautiful 
Cracker Blanket.

My wishes for the New Year are Balance and Stability. And as always, Love.

How to Make a Tassel

How to make a Tassel.

 Wrap the yarn around your tassel template.  Here I'm using Loome Toole Slingshot XL

I wrapped 12 times - there will also be 4 more ends after looping the tie back through.

Cut 2 more 14” strands.  

Hold them together and thread under 1 side of the wound strands.  

I use the tip of a tapestry needle to guide the overhand knot placement 

and to leave a gap for threading in the tie ends.  

Remove the tassel from the template.   

Smooth strands out evenly.  

Lay a new strand of yarn end from the cut end toward the tied top.

Wrap and coil the yarn firmly, but not too tightly around the strands toward the bottom of the tassel.  

Using the tapestry needle, run the end of the wrapping yarn from the bottom to the top under the wraps 

and trim all of the ends.  

To fasten the tassel,  thread one double tie end through an opening either in fabric or as I did here, 

the eyelet of a key fob - then thread the other in the opposite direction.  

Run both sets of ties carefully through the overhand knot and into the tassel.  

Trim all ends.