FO: Thermal

Well, Here it is. Thermal!

Boy, it was sunny today!

Pattern:Thermal

Yarn: Knitpicks gloss in 'dusk'.

Needles: 3mm circs.

Modifications: none.

Notes: I'm in love. it fits just the way I want it to, it's warm and fabulous, and I've worn it two days in a row.

And I love the buttons:

Here's a shot of Thermal blocking: It took three days to dry, and at the end I wanted to wear it so badly I stood over it with a hair dryer for two hours. If I had known that, I might not have wet blocked it.

How excited am I to be finished Thermal?Oh yeah. I'm a dork.

Shoulda Been an FO......

Thermal is complete. So complete, I'm wearing it right now, and have had compliments heaped on me all day by my co-workers, and a woman that I did not know who is also a knitter (we had a great discussion about arm cap shaping). I feel great. Maybe a little too warm in my newly completed sweater, but great nonetheless.

Except... I don't have any photos yet. I am truly envious of my partner-in-yarn, Jen. Not only does she have a boyfriend who loves taking ultra-flattering photos of his beloved, but he's a professional photgrapher. I'll see what I can rustle up later. If I can't find anyone to play photographer (and I'm feeling a little anti-social at the moment- so I think it would be rude to call up someone to come over, take pictures of me, and then tell them to get the hell out), I'll explore the timer function on my camera! Stay tuned.

In the endless joy that is Ravelry, a new knit has just come to light: Gallery Jacket. Modelled and designed by Cirilia.

Now, this project came along at the perfect time for me. I've been wondering why I don't have any green yarn, despite the fact that green is my favourite colour. Why have I no green knits?! I was so enamoured with the pattern, that I immediately went to knitpicks.com to buy yarn for it. I decided to go for a full-blown merino, since I'm not one for angora.That isn't the yarn exactly, (knitpicks doesn't allow you to enlarge it's colour swatches online) but it gives a good idea of the colour. Now, I'm playing the waiting game, and as soon as that yarn arrives, I'll be swatching!

*Note to self: consider green when considering a future project. It is, after all, your favourite colour. It avoids that pesky problem of looking at your purple heather yarn that you got for Forecast and wondering what the hell you were thinking that day....*

for my birthday, I want to be locked in overnight at Romni Wools

There would be time to knit swatches of whatever you wanted! Pet without fear of looking like cheap yarno. When it was almost time to open shop, I would pile up the pricest cashmere and fall asleep in ia bed of squish. I'd tell them I was sent directly from the cashmere gods, they couldnt possibly be mad then. But I digress, I went there yesterday to meet up with Adam Hilborn one half of Parishil Studio. This guy oozes creativity, he knew almost exactly what he wanted and was able to draw it out, major bonus. I took him on a mini tour to pick out the yarns that would be best suited and lo and behold.. what did he like the most?

Rowan Cocoon. Man knows his stuff huh? After hammering out the finer details.... ribbing, spacing and cable type I begun swatching as soon as I got home. Rowan recommends 7mm needles, but the fabric produced is much to airy, 5.5mm got me the close knit guage I wanted. I effin love it.

yarn porning, i mean sourcing

I took a trip to Romni's on sunday to pet and rate the new yarns comming in for fall. And to get a gist of the color schemes being produced as I'm going to start some knit-for-profit hats/scarves this season. I pet and took notes till they kicked me out to close the store. I fell in love with so many, but three stood out for practical uses. 1. Debbie Bliss Rialto Aran My ever growing love for this brand exploded when I saw the Rialto Aran in this color combination. It's an extra-fine merino that is said to have a crisp stitch definition and drapes beautifully. For a better color estimate click here: http://yarn.com/webs/0/0/0/0-1001-1294-1323/0/0/4240/ 2. Jo Sharp Silk Road Aran: So incredibly soft. I'd knit a pillow case out of this it's so damn soft. A mixture of silk and cashmere softens the 85% woolen base. it's pallette is modern and has lots of darker colors- perhaps to break boyfriend sweater curse? I love the colorway names, very relaxing. my picks: Venetian Quartz Temple Meadow 3. Miski Yarns - Miski I can see tons of hats being made out of this. The colors are so vibrant, in store. The teal blue practically screams look at me. It's not the softest, but for hats it will do warmth wise. 100% Baby Lama and a link to the color card, here. Toby took some nice photos while we were there as well....checkiddoooouuuut.

Kelly's Ribbed Bolero

Nice stitch mmm? I bought yarn for this on a whim, one time while gathering kitchen supplies at walmart. Odd enough, there was no yardage on the band, or for most of the yarns that Walmart carries might I rant. Do complanies think that yardage is not necessary anymore? I mean, jeez, it's only one of the three determining factors (weight, yardage, fiber) when picking a medium. Wtf. Just a heads up that in Toronto, all variations of RedHeart, Bernatt and Georgia all do not have yardages listed. [/rant] Great however, is that I managed to get a whole shawl from one hank of the Redheart Wool/Acrylic blend. I was drawn to this color at once. Doesn't it look like Twinkle's Urchin? I think so. I always thought the color would flatter practically anyone.And it goes great with all the greys i've picked up for fall and winter. I used 5.5mm needles throughout, though I switched to straights after the ribbing as I found the double YO's to be particularly difficult on circulars. The second YO gets too tight when sliding the lace along the needles over the join. Even using Addi's so...use your own judgement (or save yourself some frigging and use mine ; ) It knit up quick and mindless but I will make some adjustments if/when I make patterns like these in future. See the slight sag by the armpit? I notice that everyone (on ravelry) has these too. Perhaps one should make the shoulder span measurement smaller than it actually is to account for the negative ease? Either way, I like it and wore it today for a trial run on my errands in the beaches. I didn't tack down the collar, I like it popped- it's a bit more 'me'

Canadian Midwest Moonlight

In the constant need for subway knitting, here is Midwest Moonlight, from Scarf Style. I just can't seem to go to work in the morning unless I know I've got something for that half hour ride. I was actually 20 minutes late today, just because I needed to get a project oganized. I didn't wake up knowing I would be starting this today, but here she is:

I love the pattern a lot more than I thought I would. Just complicated enough to keep you engaged, not so daunting that I'm worried I'll mess it up if I'm bleary eyed with fatigue. I'm not using anything fancy, yarn-wise. That's just some icy blue acrylic that I bought years ago (remember a time when you didn't know anything about fibre? that's when I bought a huge bag of this stuff), that has a thin pearly strand in it. I actually really like it- it's very soft, and has a lovely sheen.

And Thermal? why, it just needs a couple of buttons...

Le Tigre!

I am so close to finishing Thermal I can almost taste it- and just to give myself that little extra push to finish (and block, and sew on buttons, etc). I needed a quick knit that would give me a little FO satisfaction. Ladies and gentleman, may I present... Le Tigre! No need to be afraid- only his cuteness is fierce.

Pattern: Tiger with Dress

Yarn: generic acrylic craft yarn

Needles: 4 mm

Modifications: none.

Notes: Well, I didn't make the dress yet, and now I don't know if I will. I think I want a little yellow dress for him (tigers can cross-dress if they want to!), but I didn't have the right yellow (butter-coloured would be pretty, I think). Now I'm wondering if I can still make the dress at all- I might not have positioned the arms properly for the sleeves. Hmmmmm.

Oh that tiger- he's such a ham. And so darn photogenic.

You Know it's Fall When Even Your Mug Wears a Jacket

It is with a certain amount of apprehension I'm busily preparing for my first swap- the Knit 1 Tea 2 Secret Swap. I've done lots of research on how to be a good swap pal (mostly by stalking the swap pal forum on ravelry). Part of the swap involves a 'tea related' knitted object. I've stalked my secret pal, and know that she prefers mugs. So, the mug jacket: The gratuitous use of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies is just to give it some context.

I used the great pattern from MK Carroll, which can be found here. And here is a blurry close up of the pattern (sorry, i was feeling too lazy to have another mug jacket photo shoot!)

Corner Store Sneak Peak

While I normally detest cleaning I find myself everyday willingly doing routine chores. I like the sense of order it brings, and the suprises it yields. I naturally do these chores in my (comfiest)grubbiest pair of jeans and random tank tops. Fine for in house, and even runing to our former corner store...but not so fine for running errands on Bloor Street. It's busy and I'm self-consious. Enter mystery box. It's the last one in my room and untill yesterday I had been putting my tv on it. Inside lay a treasure I had long forgotten. So far, I'm calling it "Corner Store" because thats when I think i'll use it the most- running to get fruits, gingerale and movies. I doubt it will stick, but whatever, it's fine for now. I took a look at the piece and found that I either had horribly bad taste for 2005 or was acutely fashion forward for this shawl fits in perfectly with the falls big chunky knits. I'd go as far to say it's practically twinkle-eqsue. Lots of negative ease, chunky(double stranded yarn) and large cables. I remember starting this project hoping to remake a shawl I saw on some random subway girl. I don't have pics just yet - phones charging. But hopefully by the end of tonight. Stay tuned ;)

The War of Thermal

I know that I'm going to love Thermal to pieces once it's finished. I know that it's destined to become one of my favorite sweaters, there is so much to love about it- the fine gauge, the straightforward design, the classic fit. It's going to be great.

But damn, this has been one slow-going knit. That fine gauge and waffle stitch is obviously the black hole of knitting. I did put it down for a while to work on Central Park Hoodie (which is currently napping, now that my love has switched back to Thermal) but I knit and knit and knit- and it still feels like I'll never finish the sleeves. I'll have been knitting for an hour, and then think to myself, "I must be nearly ready for the next part. I'll measure to be sure." And that's when I discover that despite being very sure that I've gone through the four row repeat dozens of times, the sleeve seems to hardly increase in length at all.
But I do love the way the sleeve increases move up the inner arm, as though they were seamed... And I have no idea why Thermal looks grey in this picture. I know I need to build a light box, because my basement apartment is seriously hampering my photos.

Designer Knits- they are asking for it....

I, like many who have gone before me, have fallen in love with a stupidly expensive sweater:
This is a $650 (US) Burberry sweater. That's right, they are charging $650 for garter stitch. But as you know, being a knitter means you've been behind the curtain at Oz, you know how the whole thing works. So I did what any sane knitter would do- I took that obscenely expensive sweater into the change room,whipped out my measuring tape, and made a lot of notes, very quickly:
The xs size stats are as follows:
- Length: 18.5", Bust: 31", Sleeve: 12", Waist: 29"
- Gauge: 6sts/inch (body), 7sts/inch (mandarin collar)
- Belt is a 1"-wide tube of stockinette, pressed flat. belt loops are also stockinette, sewn on.
- 2" high mandarin collar
- Edges of front panels have slipped stitch edges
- Hem has some sort of tublar cast on
- Buttons are 3" apart
- Raglan sleeves

It gets it's cuddly softness from being a squishy 70% alpaca/30% silk blend. What do you guys think? Did I miss anything in my stats gathering?

Most embarassing interview -ever-

So here I am, trying to present my wonderful leadership qualities, product knowedge and customer service skills.. you know put best foot forward... what do I end up talking the most about ? Knitting. Knitting cozies. Knitting cozies for male members. chyeah.. I know!!! I was way way too nervous and in my defence I couldnt help it! I was asked what was the most extreme thing I've ever knitted! I was as red as a tomato, I'm positive of it. They actually might be reading this..(Hi guys! Nova Scotia! Confused? Scramble! ) I figured checking out the blog might give them a little more insight, into my nutter of a brain because I suck when I'm nervous. Nothing comes out right when the brain is thinking too fast for the mouth :( But here are some examples of ...cozies. Some designs are so crazy they rock. *Scramble edit* ! It's GADFLY! Meaning a horsefly, a warble fly or botfly(wtf?) Either way, you can all sleep tight now. :)

The Ultimate Combination of Cupcakes and Knitting....

You all need to go here immediately to check out these amazing knitting cupcakes. There is even a tutorial on how to 'knit' the marzipan into those shapes!!

Yay internet!, Yay FO !

The free internet that I had been tapping into has mysteriously stopped working. Internet withdrawl is a scaaary thing my friends, I knew I was dependent but to what extent-I did not even fathom. Ya'll know it how it is . Of course, this is the time when I had a zillion and one blog ideas, fascinating stories of the cottage and falling asleep under the stars... not so facinating now huh? yep. thought so. However, I have been holding back on you dear readers but with good reason, I can assure. Remember the beaded cami turned halter? The cottage seemed a perfect place to showcase her, so without blabbing further (yaaay im on t3h 1n7@rw3b!) Allow me to introduce you to my modified beaded halter.

Inspiration: Beaded Cami by Black Dog Designs and Kelly-10 Feet Tall Yarn: Debbie 6 Debbie Bliss 100% Cotton DK in teal (50g) Needles: 3.5 Knitpicks circular Notes: The pattern itself was more of an outline to me, because I had planned on modifying it so much. It was a great start, because of it’s concise and direct instructions it was easily adaptable. One of the advantages to following in the footsteps of (craftster)friends is learning from their troubles and triumphs. Modifications:First thing I did to change the still then cami was to cast on for 4 instead of 5 scallops on each side and only 3 selvage sts on the side as I was knitting it in the round. Once I finished the lace repeats I knew I would have to shape it by doing decrease rounds every other row until on me it reached my waistband. After that I climbed the intervals, with every 3 then every 4, every 5, every 6 being a dec. round. When I reached my bustline I emphasized the empire waist, I casting off the front side sts using Zimmermans sewn BO. I continued to knit the back until the flap reached past my bra strap. I cast off again using Zimmerman's stretchy sewn BO. For the front I cast on for three scallops, each scallop having 5st leaves and 2 selvage for each side. I knit the pattern once and then added short rows using the wrap method. I did about 8 or 9 rows which should have been substansial but perhaps I underestimated myself. Ha! It’s not me honey, it’s Victoria Secret! Anyhoo…. I grafted the sides together and then thought about straps. I had beads, but no crochet hook. Right. Packed those away ages ago. I tried two thin straps but the proportion wasn’t right for the structure I had created. I needed something solid. An inspiration came to me in my bead box, where I had a few skeins embroidery floss my mind suddenly screamed – “friendship braclets!” So I used the dk to make a four stranded cord of about 3.5 arm lengths. Added beads at the attaching points in the scallops and boom. You’ve got my halter.

VK Fall 2007 Review

The Vogue Knitting Fall 2007- 25th Anniversary Issue! Here's a wee sampling:
They obviously took the idea of a retrospective very seriously:I don't really see the point in putting some of the patterns from the 80's. Who on earth is going to knit this? The yardage alone is enough to make my head hurt.

But I think that these two are on my Must Knit list: A wine coloured lace hoodie? I'm sold! I love this so much. I whis you could see a bigger picture of the back- it's gorgeous.

I haven't quite figured out one thing- there is a section of the magazine that has photos and website links to several patterns that are offered by various yarn companies, that are supposedly 'in honour' of the 25th anniversary. But when I went to follow up on one some of the links, it seems that not all the patterns are free, which is disappointing to say the least.

There are some really great articles, notably the two interviews with Knitting's 'old guard' (Kaffe Fassett, Alice Starmore, Mari Lynn Patrick, and Meg Swansen) and knitting's 'new guard' (Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, Clara Parkes, Debibe stoller, Vickie Howell, Shannon Oakey). Their discussion of how the internet has impacted the knitting world is particularly relevant. Go read it!!


Edit:Jen I'm interested in that article since well, the internet has sensationalized almost every aspect of our lives anyways.

Silver Streak by Veronik Avery is what jumped out at me first and foremost. I saw it first on raverly and didn't realize it was actually a long sweater coat till I printed off the -FREE pdf- I'll shorten it somehow, later to be determined. There are some great flickr photo's of the details that are lacking in the vogue issue due to styling. Hell they could style a garbage bag and I'd be like, 'hey jules, think it's too flashy?'

I can has cheezburger ?

I'm going a little crazy, to be honest. I don't know if it's the lack of food or the lack of human contact but I'm going bonkers in the house unpacking by myself. I've almost finished my entire room, but here is a corner that i'm not completely ashamed of.. and a view from the hallway looking through the living room to the back veranda And turns out that the chest i mentioned? for the yarnstorage? Well it's perfect. When I dig it out I'll make sure to get a shot or two of its functionality. I've got a lill bit of yarn porn for ya. Friday was my last day of work, and my coworker Sylvia bought me this maginficent hank of GOLDILOCKS! Completely bowled over I stated plainly and loudy- FLEECE ARTIST! (how did she know!?) I hear Julie from the other side of the wall - FLEECE ARTIST?! I'm comming! lolz I love the colorway, only one teeny tiny problem. I'm allergic to mohair. Allergic enough that I can't knit with it, or have it touch my skin really ( I broke out into hives later on that day after not being able to resist petting and phtographing). So if you are interested in a swap for similar quality/quantity I couldn't be more pleased to exchange! I'd like to keep it for the sentimental value but my body simply says no way! Goldilocks: 56% kid mohair, 24% silk, 20% nylon -500m/546.8yds; 125g/4.41oz