Friday, July 28, 2006
Hittin' the Greens
SHARING: just got this cute pattern in my inbox from Berroco, Sacha Ballet Slippers
i finished Rachel's Stitch Diva 'Celebrity Shawl'. it looks gorgeous, put it in the store window until i can get it to rachel. it's too colour fangled for me, my aesthetic is moving towards purist, but it's perfect for someone who doesn't live with yarn. I'm reading "pattern recognition" by william gibson, a referral from jody (jody also sends me to interesting books) and i'm starting to relate to the main character who only wears minimalist, unbranded garments in grey and black because she's allergic to marketing.
the shawl is very simple in concept and you can easily adapt it to any gauge of yarn (great stash buster, perfect for a single skein of Fleece Artist Kid Silk). suggestions:
1. read the patern very closely.
2. it's really easy to get disoriented with this piece and you're going to need to know which end is the bottom and which is the top so you don't work along the sides by accident (you work the pattern along the top). put a marker in the bottom triangle as soon as you finish it to help orient yourself.
3. check every row after you finish it. make sure your stitches are good and you haven't worked them down the side by accident.
i don't have pictures today, the camera is charging. i was working on the Stitch Diva Double Knit Hobo Handbag last sunday with meaghan. Meaghan wanted to make it and I nonchalantly said "Sure, no problem, we'll figure it out together!". HUBRIS. this thing is THE knitting Olympics! it's the most challenging knitting I've ever encountered. not that it can't be done, but it took a while to figure out what we were doing. i'll get back to it when i have some time alone to concentrate. It's ingenious, i don't know how Jennifer ever dreamed it up, she must've been an engineer or sidoku designer in her last incarnation. Chelle knitted the store sample, she is a trooper, i owe her BIG!
So what am i doing? I can't concentrate on anything sophisticated right now, iu have summer Brain fog. It's my dad's birthday this week and I started making him vintage golf club covers last night at the party. I'm using Cascade Cotton Rich, partly because it's the right gauge, partly because it's soft & squishy (makes good padding for expensive golf clubs), and partly because it's just hanging around. the pattern is sucking up more yarn than i thought it would, if i was a regular consumer i'd probably substitute Mission Falls 1824 Cotton, Super 10 Cotton and just tweak the gauge (not hard at all with this pattern and I don't really expect golfers to be hand washing their golf club paraphenalia), or Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece for a more luxurious tactile experience. Actually, Come to think of it, Cascade Sierra Quattro would do nicely too since it is worsted. hmmmm, options. i'm thinking in the keyboard.
anyway, instead of the clum numbers i'm going to topstitch my father's name into the covers. that should tickle his fancy!
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
baby blanket-o-matic
here is the blanket that supplanted the shawl. oh! i finished the green celebrity shawl! very satisfying crocheting (hence i'm making a second one!), i keep forgetting to bring it in for "photography". blanket is Crystal Palace Cotton Chenille and pattern will be available in store as a kit when it's done.
celeb shawl diakeito
i meant to finish this Celebrity Shawl last night but i was waylaid. i visited a friend, dropped off the baby bolero i made for her and when i got home i started working again on the baby blanket i had started for her last december when i found out about the pregnancy. my attention span is limited, but i always go back to things. eventually.
streetknit hats liane
Liane brought in a whole bunch of hats for Streetknit today! she used textured garter stitches to try and keep the warmth in the acrylic. she's a machine, she's the 'knit-o-matic'! and it's not like this is the only stuff she's knitting, she brought in a felted toe today and i know there's a baby blanket in the works too. amazing.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
hemp washcloth
less impressive but very gratifying, i made a plain hemp washcloth with the Hemp for Knitting "Allhemp6". i'm taking it home with me and the bird tonight to give it a test run over the weekend. i wrote a simple pattern, i'll get it together and post it on monday.
i have plans to make a lace facecloth next, will post as that goes.
i can't wait to replace the old scrub mit in my shower!!! :-)
elizabeth jacket
Elizabeth also brought this little red jacket she made for Liza's new baby (breakfast TV). The pattern is the "Robin Hood Jacket" from Adorable Knits for Kids by Zoe Mellor and she used Needful Yarns 'Super' (it's 100% merino)
deborah socks
Elizabeth finished the colonial socks Deborah commissioned from Hand Knit Holidays. They are so sexy!!!! koigu KPM. i see them worn over a lace pantyhose in the fall, very pink. initially i was thinking of making them longer, but now i wonder if they should be knee-high? whatever, it's all good.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
celebrity shawl
celeb shawl, originally uploaded by myhighfiber.making another stitch diva celebrity look-alike shawl, now that i know how to avoid the slip-ups. manos del urugual cotton stria colour 204, I hook
FREE: Fast & Easy Hat Pattern (Knitting)
fasteasy, originally uploaded by myhighfiber.finished my first streetknit hat and wrote a pattern for it so you can make lots & lots of them too! it was all done quick & dirty, no frills but lots of thrills! :-)
Fast & Easy Hat
Materials
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.streetknit hat
i cast on a street knit hat too. i'll go an finish it right now and post the pattern. big needles means more hats!
liane socis elephantitis
Liane's giant to-be-felted socks from last night's SNB. Meaghan was indisposed with laundry - guess she didn't know we have a machine here, ha-ha! it was a quiet night, which is nice for a change.
felted basket
felted basket, originally uploaded by myhighfiber.finished felted knit basket! 3 balls crystal palace iceland.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
temporarily blind
i have lots of pictures today but the server at FLICKR is down. i'll update it tomorrow. i finished the baby bolero and a wash cloth in hemp (making more of those as hostess gifts & regular little thank yous and i love yous ... 'cause nothing says i love you like a wash cloth).
i started a fast streetknit hat tonight, i'll post a pattern for it later. 3 street knit kits have been claimed sine monday and Terri dropped off 2 hats. Sadie dropped by to pick up a huge bag (like a garbage bag) full of streetknit donations. i don't know where she's going to store it all!
i taught my father how to do laundry today and lauched the new felting machine with a tall knitted basket (pattern TBA). i like it much better than the crocheted ones, but it is reminiscent of the cat in the hat.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
burberry fall 2006
burberry fall 2006, originally uploaded by myhighfiber.came across a fall fashion trend spread in Elle this morning while i was on the john and caught another glimpse of this hat from Burberry Prossum and decided maybe it needs to be made. so i'm gonna make it. it's slow at work today because it is soooo hot (although the store is amply air conditioned) and i've already started experimenting with yarns & gauge & figured out how many stitches. I've cast on with Lana Grossa Pashmina in cream and i'm working on the ribbing. i've studied the hat from as many angles as available and i think i understand how it works. the decreases will be the tricky part, but i don't have to worry about that till i get to it. i don't know what i'm going to call it. can't use the brand name. i'm going to ikea tomorrow with Meaghan, and she is good at making up names, maybe she'll have an idea. it kinda remiinds me of the hats Rhoda used to wear on the Mary Tyler Moore Show, maybe i'll just call it Rhoda. :-) claire just popped by to pick up the vintage rug hooking stuff that passed through my hands (i swear, i used to study redistribution centres and now i am one!). I didn't realize that Claire is Needlebook! i'm pretty clueless, my networking is totally ancillary. anyway, i love her stuff, i was happy i found a welcome home for the materials, but i'm thrilled that they are helping to support a local artist (she has an etsy shop). coolio. claire left with some Fable too, it's getting to be popular stuff, 3 people in as many days. I'm glad the vibe is getting out, It's mommy andrea is good people and it's good stuff. i finished the baby bolero, i'll take a pic on monday when i have the enrgy to deal with the technology and it's been blocked (still damp). It's really lovely, so sweet, very happy with it.
Friday, July 14, 2006
baby bolero a
the bolero has arms! bu-ah-ah-ah (evil laugh)! it looks good, it's a hell of a lot of finishing for a little thing, next time i'm making that little top from last minute knitted gifts that's knit in the round. this baby isn't going to wear this long enough to deserve this much finishing. i still need to pick up the stitches for the border. actually ..... i could have made the arms by picking up stitches and working down, but i didn't think of that. this nubblg yarn is hard to seam with. i'm cranky & need a nap.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
cable hat
i need a new hat & scarf for winter. Think i'll make these from some burgundy Lana Grossa Pashmina i've got kicking around! mmmm, soft!
wash kit
finally got around to finishing the hemp bathi kit too ... 2/3rds of it was done & on display already. now i'm going to wash it on the washer to see how soft it get!
washer
fianlly! i've got washing facilities ... heh-heh, FELTING facilities! the felting classes can begin!
baby bolero
i'm making this super cute Bolero from one skein. It's VERY satisfying, going fast (can't stand slow baby projects, seems like a waste of time). This one if for Marny who just had a girl!
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
kerri
kerri, originally uploaded by myhighfiber.and lets face it, you just can't go wrong with a classic styled cardigan in your closet. its the garment you wera over and over for years and years. i like the marled colours, very subtle. i'm hooking Maureen up with this ensemble, hopefully she'll dig it. that's what happens when you get a handle on people's style, you can shop for them. i should be a professional shopper, but i would have to move to LA. :-)
berroco yarnsmagda
magda, originally uploaded by myhighfiber.a little wrap sweater makes me happy in the fall ... but not the bohemian hooker boots.
trixie
trixie, originally uploaded by myhighfiber.i'm a Prada girl, i dig the Italian yarns and the fashion patterns when it comes down to it. i knit slow and i like my work to last for years & years. not very knitterly, i know.
ali
ali, originally uploaded by myhighfiber.just browsing the fall patterns from berroco. I really like this one, but don't know how comfortable it will be to wear (i get a bad case of itchy bum from knitwear on my southern hemisphere)
Monday, July 10, 2006
Saturday, July 08, 2006
toronto outdoor art exhibition, louisa pucci, july 7, 2006
ah, flowers! this soooo makes me want to yodel! by Louisa Pucci at the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition
Friday, July 07, 2006
felted-flowers
felted-flowers2, originally uploaded by myhighfiber.a FREE felted flower pattern from knitscene
tangelo
23-tangelo, originally uploaded by myhighfiber.not so sure about the garden going on, but i like the tone-on-tone, and this is a classic shape i'll wear all winter & fall for years & years. i see the collar and button bands in the slightly darker tone. fall 2006 knitscene.
molly
molly, originally uploaded by myhighfiber.baby Tees are the new vests, such pretty layering. www.knitscene.com
dog-walker
27-dog-walker, originally uploaded by myhighfiber.i like this urban dog sweater ... www.knitscene.com
hear-no-evil
9-hear-no-evil, originally uploaded by myhighfiber.just like this for downtown guys. maybe i'll make one for the family holiday exchange .... knitscene fall 2006
curtain-call
30-curtain-call, originally uploaded by myhighfiber.i love this idea, will have to make a bunch of wall hangings for the store! fall 2006 knitscene
central park
central park, originally uploaded by myhighfiber.www.knitscene.com one of my fave things about knitscene is their very thorough website. they have a pile of freebie patterns, as well as alternate shots so you can get an idea for what the garment looks like. i don't know if i'll make this one now, but i'll file this under easy wearing. i hate the TSC Donegal, it's itchy and all wrong, will have to find a nice substitute first. maybe something from cascade ... i'll have to check the schematic too, not sure if this one actaully closes. if it doesn't it might need some modifications for the canadian climate! anyway, it's an idea!
noro iro sherbie
thinking about throwing this on the needles for early fall .. something quick & easy wish a satisfying result. and i've always been happy with the noro blended yarns, especially Iro. not going it in red though.
skamama bag snb crochet
i'm working on the baskets at the store and the bag at home. i'm THRILLED with the results but it's slow going ... not the kind of crochet i ususally enjoy (i'm not into single crochet, i prefer openwork). i can't do the hard knitting all the time, but when i put in the effort I find it SOOO satisfying! this is going to be a satisfying product, sensational end result.
the textile looks great, the hemp is PERFECT, it has just the very vintage florida-chic aesthetic i was trying to achieve. i think i'll just use some large bamboo handles and it will be my bocca bag (bocca rattan, like where old people retire).
i finally got to the decreases last night. it works by making increases, then working straight, then corresponding decreases. i keep carrying around the handles in the vain hope that i get to it RIGHT NOW! :-) the handle flaps come next. i'm so excited i'm counting down the rows.
the pattern was very simple. i didn't really understand how it worked spatially (where the top is, where the bottom is, etc) but once i got the stitch down (there's only one!) and it started to grow i was able to conceptualize it. i also ghanged the gauge & the dimensions (a real bocca bag's gotta be big! my bubbies always had big, bottomless bags with candy for me) .
summary: i'm happy, this will be a garment that i won't get bored of when i'm finished the work!
ikea basket
it' summer and i'm summarily into ceramics. this specimen will someday soon (hopefully) be a large bowl/small basket. i'm kinda into the idea of making felted bowls that resemble traditional ceramics. i'll have to tale a field trip down to the Gardiner museum for research.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
browsing
what i'm looking at while i knit (or why i don't need cable TV):
- Twinkle by Wenlan Chia ... 'kay, you gotta keep an eye on this chic, Vogue Knitting loves her, keeps making her designs into patterns, and she's got a knitting pattern book coming out in the new year (!!!!!)
- Alexander McQueen ... check out the cool aran knee socks! i've been itching to make a pair for a year or so, there was a cool pattern in the cornelia tuttle araucania naturewool book
- Dolce & Gabanna ... knits everywhere
- Marc Jacobs ... how to wear your layers (or go to Marni from 2005 or 2005)
- you know what, just go straight to Marni right NOW! do not pass GO.
table bowl
my fave bowl/basket, but the worst pic. that's always the way, isn't it? i hasd a bit of a mango juice leak in my purse and now my camera is sticking. it's not a good month for electronics. i think i have to floss the camera. should really make a camera-case for it!
anyway, very pleased with the solid coloured bowl. i'm going to make more of them for the store, all kinds of blue. i'll be all caught up on my laundry by the end. :-)
SNB was very fun this week. didn't take any pics due to the attendance of new people, but it was raucus, a real menagerie. a good time was had by all, including me.
big basket
my felted baskets ... the big basket. it worked well, but i think i'd like to give it another run through the washer. the freedom wool felts real goood! all of the pieces came out well in shape, this one i blocked with a towel, the tall needle version i bloced with a glass container, the small one didn't really need blocking at all. i prefer the solid colours over the variegated, but i think a hand dyed yarn might work nice too, even if it's just kool-aid at home.
Knitted Bodice stitch diva
KnittedBodice stitch diva, originally uploaded by myhighfiber.just came across this baby on Glampyre's web site ... she's designed it for Stitch Diva Studios. Coolio, can't wait till it arrives!
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