Yarn Rambles

Round Two for Kimonos

 

Jessica sent wonderful photos of Fritz wearing his brother's "hand-me-downs". You have probably forgotten but the buttons I originally used on these kimonos, from Mason Dixon Knitting, were too small. They kept slipping out of the i-cord opening. So, before Fritz arrived, I took back the kimonos and sewed on new, much larger buttons. Jessica says that they are working much better!!

I knit these in Shine Worsted with the cream color used as an i-cord edging. I like that the cream i-cord makes the kimonos look like a "set" and gives the kimonos some substance.

 

As you can see, we have had ideal autumn weather this last week. I suspect that Jessica decided it was good light for photography.

When Bob and I were visiting his son, Adam, at Princeton, we picked up rompers for the boys. Walter and Fritz look very comfortable!

 

I thought it would be fun to look at Walter when he was wearing the kimonos. He has certainly grown a lot!

Note the too-small buttons!

 

Improvement on index card, lace knitting system

Sometimes I like to follow charts when I knit lace. But, when there are a lot of changes in the pattern, like what happens with circular shawls, I prefer to use my tried-and-true 3x5 index card system. Marianne Kinzel is a very considerate designer. She provides charts and written instructions. And, the instructions have a space between each round. That makes it easy to copy the pages and cut each set of instructions into a small bit of paper. Then, I tape one round of instructions on its own index card. I used to divide the cards up by sections of the shawl. There is always a logical transition that works out well. I put the card groupings into a zip-lock sandwich bag. That way I can see the instructions through the plastic. When I finish a round, I move the card to the bottom of the pile and knit along.

 

So, Monday morning I walked over to Office Depot to buy a couple packets of 3x5 index cards. I was in for a very pleasant surprise. Some  brilliant person had designed a sturdy, plastic binder for index cards!! Not a spiral binder, mind you! A ring binder! And, there were packets of cards with the holes already punched in the top! And, there were even two plastic tab pages! Be still my heart!!

I bought the green binder and lots of cards. Thanks to the binder, I am able to keep all of the cards for the Balmoral Thistle Circular Shawl all together. As I finish a round, I will just move the tab page up one step. Whenever I start knitting, I can just flip the tab and be right where I left off!!

A surprising drop spindle

I've come to the realization that drop spindles are becoming my ideal chocolate truffles. No calories and the pleasure lasts MUCH longer! And, there is the challenge of finding the "perfect" spindle truffle. I have discovered some favorites that I will always enjoy but I do like the excitement of finding a new spindle artist.

Last week I could not focus on my To Do list so I went off to Etsy and typed in "drop spindle". Just like heading off to a Godiva Chocolate shop, Moonstruck Chocolates or even Whole Foods for a quick chocolate fix. I clicked on SpinSanity Spindles and knew I had found a new truffle!!

 

Meet Shannon Fukuyama's Ornate Square Top Whorl Spindle. I had several concerns regarding this spindle but I felt that for the price of only $20.00, I would enjoy it as a bit of art. This spindle is amazingly lightweight - not even one ounce. I thought that it wouldn't spin very long without more heft to it. Wrong! It spins and spins and spins.

There is a surprise that comes along with the light weight. I have absolutely no concerns regarding my spun strand breaking and dropping the spindle. It's like having a fairy put twist into the fibers with no heavy pull. Magical!!

I find that I am carrying this spindle around the office with me because of the light weight and because the square shape is easy to set down if I need my hands. Yet another benefit of the weight is that my arms don't get tired. The only change I would make would be to have a Swan's Neck hook. But, not having one is a minor matter.

We are going to a high school football game tonight and I think I will take along my new spindle. And, the Golding Aromatherapy spindle. These two are turning out to be my favorite spindling treats.

Easy Lattice Shawl

 

My experience with my friend's Prayer Shawl seems to have started a shawl knitting frenzy. It was such an easy and quick knit that I couldn't resist using the same Lattice Pattern from The Prayer Shawl Companion to make the long-promised shawl for Xena's breeder.

 

Lora's work causes her to travel quite a lot. As a result, her wardrobe is all about black, white and grey. I had already gotten Suri Dream in Stone for her shawl but the balls had been sitting in my closet for months. I'm making very good progress thanks to college football! Would you believe that I'm already thinking of making a Lattice Shawl for myself? I want to try one of the hand-dyed colors of Suri Dream. Ummm, I love Bayou!

Aran Cardigan all finished!

  My apologies! I completely forgot to show you photos of the cardigan with my corrected neckline. I decided to skip the buttonholes and use a stick as a closure. I love this sweater!!

 

 

I've finished two bangles!!

Oh, the bangle inspiration from Vogue Knitting has taken over!! My bangles were actually more narrow than the ones used in the magazine. So, I choose two simple stitch patterns and cast on enough stitches to fit around the bangle. I knit a piece long enough to fit when stretched out a bit. I didn't want the fabric to be floppy on the bangle. I used a fishnet pattern for the larger bangle to allow the turqoise of the original surface to show through. I still have a rather narrow bangle to knit with a golden/orange yarn. I will do it during football games this weekend.

A creative method for organizing your knit scarves

   

I know this scarf holder involves some sewing but the instructions are excellent and the work is actually very simple. You could make several and stack them up the back of your closet door.

Handy Altoid Tins

Last year we had a catalog with a short tutorial on using little items from around the house as handy knitting tools. Of course, several of us have already figured out that empty Altoid tins are wonderful for keeping stitch markers in your knitting bag. But, I thought this article was fascinating. If nothing else, I think I would like to decorate a collection of Altoid tins rather than use them "as is".

I'm going to make a tiny watercolor set for my sister!

Baby Blanket Recipients

 

As you know, I've been knitting baby blankets like crazy in a vain attempt to keep up with new arrivals in the family. My two youngest nieces had their little girls within just a couple of weeks of each other. Seana flew up from San Francisco with Parker last week so she could meet her cousin, Delila. I love this photo of Seana at the airport.

 

And, remember, this was Parker's Moderne Baby Blanket.

 

    

 Here are the new cousins. On the left is Delila and Parker is on the right. 

 

Delila's blanket is a different version of the Mason Dixon series of blankets designed like quilts. I'm just getting started and I have to say that I enjoy knitting this blanket more than the Modern Baby Blanket. Each block is only 9 garter stitch ridges (19 rows) so there is a lot of changing of color and direction. I am using Swish Worsted in Sunshine for the center and then I will i-cord the edge. For the purple half I am using Swish Clematis Heather, Wisteria and Bordeaux. For the green half I am using Swish Dublin, Tidepool Heather and Bok Choy. 

 

Delila's big brother, Dylan, is handling everything well. He still has his blanket to comfort him if he ever feels "negleted". Not likely to happen!

Here are the sisters, cousins and dog heading out for a walk!

   

A lazy family weekend

My blog entries haven't kept up with my photography. Matt, Jessica, Walter, Fritz and Montana came up for the weekend a couple of weeks ago. Sorry, no knitting content in this entry - just family!

   

Walter exploring the back deck. Good thing we planned for little crawlers and had the guard rail spaced close together! Walter was able to enjoy himself and I followed along with my Socks for Soldiers in a Go-Knit Pouch. 

 

I'm ready to come in for dinner.

 

 

   

Only Bob slept in on Sunday morning!