folklorica

Hey, look what I found at Bookman’s (Tucson’s local mega-used bookstore):

There were more magazines on the shelf, but a lot were really granny. Do you see the post-it notes sticking out? I did find some interesting things in these magazines. My time-traveling mini-reviews:

Cast On Spring 2004: Overall, this is the most granny of the lot. Not a thing in here I would wear, let alone spend weeks or months knitting. BUT, and this is a big but, I did find an article on double knitting. It was so clear, well written, etc, that I got the concept immediately and wow, it’s cool. Slow and tedious, but cool. I started playing with some dishrag cotton (separate post) and it actually works. Cool. So this one article was worth the price of the magazine (only $3).

[Speaking of the price of these magazine, all used, I noticed something interesting. All of them had been INCREASED in price! The original price stickers were in the $1.75-$2.50 range, but they had been covered by stickers ranging from $3-$3.50. Hmmm. I guess Bookman's has realized that knitting is popular and not so granny.]

Vogue Knitting Fall 2006: The Very New Very Vogue section is fun, just like it is in the real Vogue. The Tracy Ullman article was cute. I was interested in the Entrelac Workshop article, but the project was boring to me, and I am taking a class in Entrelac at Kiwi Knitting later this month, so I skipped that. Patterns I liked: Fitted Fair Isle Pullover, Nancy Bush Traveler’s Socks, Edelweiss Socks, Two-toned Turtleneck with Epaulet (although, in alpaca, this is an arctic sweater!), Cabled Scoop Neck.

Interweave Knits Summer 2005: Honestly, I kinda found everything yet nothing in this magazine issue. Everything was nice, but…nothing screamed MAKE ME. Although, I must say that the Bed and Bath Duo is probably the frontrunner in this ish. I love nothing if not cozy comfort. Also, it was neat to see some of the sock patterns which have since been collected in IK’s Favorite Socks: 25 Timeless Designs – they seemed like old friends already, even though I haven’t made them…yet.

Here is Calorimetry from Knitty:

My specs:

• Yarn: Noro Silk Garden color 47 (black, brown, grey). This is the last of three balls that i bought at Knit One Bead Two in Jerome, AZ.
• Needles: US 7
• Gauge: 4.5 st/inch. I didn’t get the pattern gauge (which is 5 st/inch), even after going down a needle size, and I liked the feel of the yarn with size 7 needles, so I CO 112 stitches instead of 120. My finished length is 24″ unstretched, and about 28″ slightly stretched (what is “slightly” anyway???), so it is longer than the pattern (which is 24″ “slightly stretched”). Mine is actually long enough that I can tie it at the nape of my neck. Therefore, I may or may not put the button on it. No need to decide now, anyway!

What an easy and relaxing knit. It really soothes me, especially after my recent knitting angst. Now I have a pair of wristers AND this headscarf in Noro Silk Garden 47. I can wear them together, especially on our upcoming trip to Anchorage and Homer! I truly love the coziness of the headscarf wrapped around my head and ears. I’ll add a picture of it on me soon.

I am really in love with the gradual color changes and soft yet sturdy drape of the Noro. I can see a sweater in this yarn. It would be gorgeous. But everyone knows that already, no?

I have been in a knitting funk. Casting on various things. Trying to finish the Dream Socks and the Chevron handtowel (one sock to go, just 3 segments of handtowel left). Tonight I cast on for the Le’ Slouch beret (brilliant, I think I have finally found my hat!), but I miscalulated the gauge somehow and after 1.5 inches of ribbing and 2 inches of seed stitch I realized that I was making a hat for a toddler. (Not only am I not a toddler, I have a Big Head AND this is suposed to be a slouchy hat.) So that will need to be ripped.

One problem is that I have gained respect for my stash — I have not a bad stash  for someone who’s only been knitting for 6 months — and keep looking in it to try and find things to knit from it. I have a lot of cool sock yarn, and the rest is made up of singles or twosies of yarn that I think is really beautiful and interesting. However, aside fm the sock yarn, I am not finding the EXACTLY right yarn for whatever project catches my eye. Hence my calculations forced by substituting yarn for Le’ Slouch, and the resulting baby-sized hat.

So, it is time. I believe all this is a sign from the knitting goddess that it is time to pick a project, a real grown-up knitter project,  buy the whole lot of yarn for said project, and cast on with purpose. Not that I have to buy Noro Cash Iroha for the Hourless Sweater, mind you. But Knitpicks Andean Silk would do!

I am knitting Priscilla’s Dream Socks from my new book, Favorite Socks, and even though this is a simple pattern, I am learning so many new things.

Firstly, the “old Norwegian Cast On.” What a name! This is basically a long-tail cast on that creates a double cast on stitch for each repetition. (Weird at first, but after I got the hand of it, I found it hard to do the regular long-tail cast on and I had to look it up again!) It results in a very stretchy hem and I can see why it’s very nice for socks. My first attempt to CO for the sock didn’t go so well. I CO using the old Norwegian method and dutifully k2, p2 for three inches. Well, see the result for yourself:

Que lastima, no? It’s a real mess. In an effort to CO loosely, I created loops that seemed to bloom, looking very sloppy. Time to rip out and start over. Here is my second attempt:

Much better! Now, the only problem here was that since I snugged up every CO stitch, my first round, where I had to k2, p2 into every doubled loop, was VERY tedious. The round, 64 stitches, took at least 20-30 minutes and I felt like my needles (Addi US #2 circulars) were BENDING. Not good. My technique must be able to be improved. I’ll see on sock #2 if I can do something about that. But, in the end, the edge looks really nice. Here’s another angle:

What’s another thing I learned? A new, and nice, way to make short rows! Previously, I have used the “wrap” method to prevent the gap caused by turning the work during short rows. The pattern in Favorite Socks uses YOs and backwards YOs to create pairs of stitches, one stitch of each pair being knit up when the abandoned stitches are reclaimed. Sounds complicated/hard to visualize with my lazy description, but it is very clear in the book. I think the result is slightly superior, visually, to the wrap method. I found it faster and simpler as well, maybe because it was  easier for me to see what was going on with the paired stitches. This made it possible for me to simply follow along with what I saw on my needles, rather than counting or keeping track on paper. Nice! Take a look at the nice heel I created:

And, finally, these will be my first socks with a contrasting color for heel and toe. It’s a fun color change to make; it helps to pick up the interest both aesthetically and process-wise.

Can you tell that I am pleased with the way these socks are going?! And, they are such a cheerful color. So, after about 3 days, here’s where I am with sock #1:

From The Panopticon

Ten Alternative Ways to Say “I Love You” to a Knitter

1. The lady at the yarn shop said you like cashmere but she wasn’t sure which color to suggest, so I just bought everything she had.
2. You shouldn’t have to pull boxes out from under the bed every time you need to get a ball of yarn. Let me give you my closet.
3. Which would you prefer for vacation this year, sweetheart–New Zealand, the Shetland Islands or Rhinebeck?
4. Is that all you want? Why don’t you have another look around in the sock yarn while I get out my credit card?
5. You look so hot when you’re reading lace charts.
6. I can see you’re counting, so I’ll just make dinner, clean up afterwards, and put the kids to bed, so that when you’re finished you won’t have to wait for me to massage your hands. Okay?
7. Too much yarn? Don’t be ridiculous. We can always add another room.
8. But, dearest, I think it would be silly for you to have only one spinning wheel.
9. It’s called “Koigu.” Do you like it? Is twenty pounds enough to make a sweater?
10. Put down those needles and come here, you sexy thing. One more row? Of course I’ll wait.

I am going to join Secret Pal 10! Here is my questionnaire:

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

Please, no acrylics! (Except maybe a small amount in a sock yarn…) I am in LOVE with Blue Sky Alpaca Sport (lux, I know), and have difficulty passing by Noro Silk Garden and Manos de Urugay.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I use a very sophisticated system of two Pom Wonderful Tea glasses, an arty hand-blown glass from Germany, a smallish ceramic vase, and one of the cool new tissue boxes (emptied) for circulars.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

It’s complicated. I crocheted as a child, and learned to weave during college. I tried to learn to knit when the “hip craze” first started, when I received SnB as a gift from my sister, but I wasn’t very successful and only made one scarf. Then, last summer (August 2006), I took a class at a LYS and it JUST CLICKED. So, I’ve been knitting now for about 7 months. I consider myself Intermediate.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Oh, yes, it is here.

5. What’s your favorite scent?

Lavender, also citrus and bamboo.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Yes. The cookie monster resides within. Caramels, chocolate, crunchy nuts, mmm.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

No, I don’t spin, but I dip into all kinds of crafty things. Even though I haven’t had a sewing project in a while, I’m always ready, as well as fun painting projects, or trying something new!

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

Most recently played on the iPod: Regina Spektor, Victoria Williams, Vic Chestnutt, The Mountain Goats, Luna, Lupe Fiasco, Eels, King Floyd.

9. What’s your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can’t stand?

Gosh, I think I love all kinds of blue – indigo, teal, sky, sea. But there’s not much I don’t like, except for dusty rose and pepto pink. I truly dislike those colors.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

Recently married (October 2005) with two dogs and two cats.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Yes (lots); yes (some, no ski hats); sort of (fingerless mitts are great in Arizona); not really (although I think they are very cool).

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Having not yet done a lot of things (see answer to #3), I would have to say a this point it’s SOCKS, and toys. I really liked making the little bear from LMKG.

13. What are you knitting right now?

I’ve got a list of WIPs, about four at the moment. Also, I have ordered the Rowan Denim yarns to make the Courthouse Steps blanket from MDK.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Well, yes, I think so.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

They all have their good qualities and for me, it’s nice to switch things up. I don’t have any plastic needles so I don’t know about them.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

I have a swift and a nostepinne (very helpful, as you can stop and put it down!).

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

That would be the Little Slip of a Thing bag, which goes back to November 2006.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

I really like the winter holidays. Maybe because I get a lot of time off to stay home and cook, knit, read, relax…it’s a good time of year.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

I file my magazines…so I supposed that is a collection. But no, I don’t really get into collecting a lot of tchotchkes.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

After assessing the environment for a while, I just decided to subscribe to Interweave Knits. As alluded to in #19, I do loooove magazines and hope to get more eventually. I am really just beginning to build a knitting library so I am very open-minded.

21. Are there any new techniques you’d like to learn?

I would like to learn more about color knitting.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

Socks are great fun!!! My shoe size is a Women’s 9; my foot circumference is 8.75″.

23. When is your birthday?

December 1.

• Patt: MDK
• Yarn: Crystal Palace Breeze in “Celery” and “Indigo” (my names for the colors)–100% mercenized cotton
• US 5

I started this on 2/7/07, and have been noodling about with it. I haven’t been that productive due to lots of work and stress leaving me feeling knocked out every evening. But I am chugging along, and I’m going to start a fun sock soon to pick up my spirits.

Tonight, they are finished and on my feet!! Yay!!

I am kicking myself for not writing down the YO bind off that I used on Sock No. 1. I distinctly remember thinking at the time I was doing it–oh this is so easy, I’ll definately remember it, no worries. Well I did not remember it and I did a YO bind off for Sock No. 2, but it is different and not as stretchy or fluted-looking.

YO bind off used for Sock No. 1:
UNKNOWN, but I will re-discover it and record it here.

YO bind off used for Sock No. 2:
BO 1 st, * YO, BO YO, BO 2 sts *

Found in MagKnits February 07, I think this pattern is pretty perfect for what it is. I managed to finish it in two nights, even after ripping back in the beginning

Specs:

• Noro Silk Garden 47 (brown, black, grey)
• Patt: Worsted weight version
• US 7

And, when I finished this hat, guess who it looked best on? ANDY!! Evidence is below.

Still, for me, it is not the ideal, beautiful, ultimately flattering and adorable beret-type hat for which I am constantly searching. If I remake it using Noro Silk Garden (which I might do), I will use larger needles and perhaps doubled strands of the yarn–to see if that will make that hat bigger and looser and baggier…inching towards my dream hat.

Kinda like this…almost…