KnitterMan

Okay, so I got this one done, just a couple more shapes to work on.   First the pic, then the comments:

Now that I’ve put away the camera and put the piece back into the workbasket, I realize that the lower right curve wasn’t smoothed out for the picture.

Anyway, it is knit flat back and forth,  until the inner bit is done, then 4 rounds (2 garter ridges) around the full perimeter.  The previous project (the Art Deco Shawl) used 1/4 circles arc and a 1/2 circle arc.    This piece is made with two 3/8-circle arcs.  It could have been done with two quarter-circle arcs, OR two half-circle arcs…. or …. ?     The cool thing that occurs to me is that with just wee bit of finagling  you could almost create two concentric paths round and round and round…  Hmmm… Well, that’s a project for the next series, I suspect.

I worked this up with Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton on a size 8 needle, but it would work as well with Peaches & Cream or Sugar N Creme, both popular brands of kitchen cotton.    Further, using triple or quadrupled strands, on slightly larger needles (like a 10 or 11…?) would make a firm enough and thick enough fabric to use for a bathroom mat, just for example.

Anyway…. instructions for doing this type of shaping will be included in the Shapes and Angles project coming for all who have made an order of $75 or more this month — they will get it automatically as soon as it is prepared.   And then it will be available for sale by itself later on for anyone else who wants to learn how to make shapes of various types.

Large selection this time! There are 12 Socks and 18 Dura-Lace, so be sure to scroll to the end and claim all the ones you want.  NONE of these are of my standard colorings–many are “similar” but these are either “inaccurate dye jobs” or experiments or simply Dump Dyes (using up small amounts of leftover dyes from real dye jobs). What you see is what you get, and you need to assume that none of these will be deliberately made again, except as otherwise noted (Sock #6A & B, specifically).

All of these will be shipping on Wednesday or Thursday (or within 4 days after payment).

As always these follow the main guides for Blog Reader Specials (if you’ve not taken a Blog Reader Special previously, be sure to click and read how I do them). Just EMAIL (click that link, or just email to ray (at) knitivity (dot) com) the name/number that you want; I’ll send a PayPal invoice and will ship when it’s paid. Very simple. Just be sure I know your shipping address so I can charge proper shipping (and sales tax if you are inside Texas). Only email requests will be honored, not blog-comment requests — there’s too many available today for me to keep track of various sources, so it’s all based on email time-spamp. thank you for observing this..

First, the Socks

These are two-of-a-kind hanks of SOCK yarn 4 ounce hanks, approx 460 yards, 75% washable wool/25% nylon, 4 ply. These were dyed two-at-a-time, so as to create deliberate pairings. I’ve priced them individually at the regular BRS price ($23.50) and you are welcome to take just one if you desire, but if you claim an available pair, you may have the pair for $45.00 — you just have to claim the matching pair, not just any two. If someone claims one from a pair, the pairing price will no longer be available.  Shipping and sales tax (if any) will be added to the invoice based on weight.

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BRS - 25July10- Sock 1-A. — $23.50. Reds, blues, and creams.  SOLD

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BRS - 25July10- Sock 1-B. — $23.50 Reds, blues, and creams.

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BRS - 25July10- Sock 2-A. — $23.50 “Bruise and Blues” SOLD

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BRS - 25July10- Sock 2-B — $23.50 “Bruise and Blues” SOLD

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BRS - 25July10- Sock 3-A. — $23.50 Browns, Golds, Chestnut SOLD

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BRS - 25July10- Sock 3-B. — $23.50 Browns, Golds, Chestnut SOLD

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BRS - 25July10- Sock 4-A. — $23.50 Cherry and Blues SOLD

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BRS - 25July10- Sock 4-B. — $23.50 Cherry and Blues SOLD

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BRS - 25July10- Sock 5-A. — $23.50 Autumn harvest colors   SOLD

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BRS - 25July10- Sock 5-B — $23.50 Autumn harvest colors  SOLD

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BRS - 25July10- Sock 6-A. — $23.50 – SOLD

This is a single-jar mix of all the leftovers used in the previous 5 pairs — little bits of dye all pour into the same jar to create a single overall color, and then using the Fades technique. I’m thinking Dusty Rose Mauve sort of thing. This is the one combination that I want to try doing on purpose and see if I can come close to repeating. It is sultry, sexy, and sensuous in both the deep end and the paler end. I LOVE it, I just can’t remember the proportions of the 8 or10 dyes I mixed for the Sock Session. <*sigh*> For now, assume it is a one-time offering.

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BRS - 25July10- Sock 6-B. — $23.50 – (see notes on 6-A, above)  SOLD

And now, the Dura-Lace

These, like the Socks above, are all one-of-a-kind Dura-Lace, laceweight: 4 ounce hanks, approx 920 yards, 75% washable wool/25% nylon, 4 ply.  Each is available for $23.50, plus shipping and sales tax, if in Texas).

As for colors, they are either off-standard dye jobs (mistakes), or experiments, or good old Dump Dyes. Please assume that NONE of these specific combinations are joining the regular line-up.

Many of these DO appear to be similar (like 1 & 13, or 2 & 10, perhaps), and many of them “might” work as pairs, but each of these is dis-similar enough that I will not sell them as compatible pairs. I have, however, taken a group shot with ALL of them to assure the skeptic I am not trying to double-sell single hanks.

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BRS - 25July10 - Lace 01. — $23.50. –  SOLD

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BRS - 25July10 - Lace 02. — $23.50. –

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BRS - 25July10 - Lace 03 — $23.50. – SOLD

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BRS - 25July10 - Lace 04. — $23.50. –  SOLD

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BRS - 25July10 - Lace 05. — $23.50. –   SOLD

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BRS - 25July10 - Lace 06. — $23.50. — SOLD

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BRS - 25July10 - Lace 07. — $23.50. –  SOLD

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BRS - 25July10 - Lace 08. — $23.50. –  SOLD

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BRS - 25July10 - Lace 09. — $23.50. –  SOLD

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BRS - 25July10 - Lace 10. — $23.50. –

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BRS - 25July10 - Lace 11. — $23.50. – SOLD

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BRS - 25July10 - Lace 12. — $23.50. –   SOLD

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BRS - 25July10 - Lace 13. — $23.50. –  SOLD

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BRS - 25July10 - Lace 14. — $23.50. –    SOLD

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BRS - 25July10 - Lace 15. — $23.50. –  SOLD

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BRS - 25July10 - Lace 16. — $23.50. –  SOLD

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BRS - 25July10 - Lace 17. — $23.50. –  SOLD

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BRS - 25July10 - Lace 18. — $23.50. –  SOLD

Just a quick picture to show off what’s on the needles today.    This is still part of the shapes project, so please don’t think I’m running away from the shawl.

I’m using coordinated kitchen cotton for testing this, in order to have definite stripes to show off the shaping better.   The stitch count on EVERY row is the same — 100 stitches.    In order to get where I was hoping to go I should have cast on 401, but this will suffice to prove the concept.   isn’t it lovely?

You can look at it and easily discern the pattern principles, so I won’t explain it in detail here.  The instructions for this will also be included in the shaping package I’m assembling, along with the shawl.  If it looks a little confusing right now, don’t worry.  I won’t leave you ultimately hanging and wondering.   It’s all just basic math … a little give-and-take, so to speak.  A little “robbing Peter to pay Paul”, perhaps?

And now… into the day’s work I go.

Well… UPS did not bring me a box of yarn yesterday.

Which means I will not be dyeing up a bunch of yarns this weekend (although I do have a few that can be done, and therefore will be done);

Which also means I have NO EXCUSE (dang it) for ignoring long-overdue household chores.   For the greatest part of the day, the computer will be off, and I will be up to my armpits in wiping, dusting, mopping, sorting, pitching, and whatever other verbs relate to getting my house back in order.

Living alone means I don’t have to share my space with anyone.   Living alone means there is no one but me to blame for the clutter.   And I confess I am cluttered.  And somewhat dusty.   But I’m not dirty.   And by the end of the day I will be even more not-dirty than I am now.

On Monday…. back to the world of knitting and dyeing.

If you don’t hear from me in 72 hours please send in the dogs with rations and water.    Thank you ever-so-much.   

Woohooo!  Check it out!!

It’s a little brighter with the flash and indoor lighting, huh?   And I tried to finger-push the lines as straight as I could, without actually pinning and blocking it into perfection, since the top bind-off isn’t done.

You can see, by viewing the design on the rug beneath it, that it really does fit into a regular triangular shape overall.  Yes, it isn’t strictly a hard triangle (duuhh!) but it will successfully be worn the same as any triangular shawl.

And, as I’ve said several times, this is intended to be a MINIATURE version of a full size shawl.    From tip to tip it is right now about neck-center to wrist on me, so a full size would be about twice as wide, and (theoretically) twice as long.    This will be achieved by adding three or four more side bands on each side; I’ll show how to do the end panel, and two expansion panels, which will explain how to calculate and insert additional panels, plus the center panel.    Seriously, it’s all just math and repetition.  What could possibly go wrong?

What you will get in the completed instruction package will be the basic shapes and simple shaping techniques, along with instructions for the center panel shaping and central closure.   You’ll also get guidance on taking the multi-stripe concept from the center, and using it on the side panels in a mirrored effect.  Can you imagine the interesting visual effect to have the multi-stripe design on the next-to-center panel on each side, with just a 2-stripe panel up the center?

And there will be some other shapes and concept ideas.  All in all, I think the pictures and written instructions and charts (yes, gotta have charts!) will be worth the effort.    I aim to have it done by the end of July (or shortly thereafter).    No matter… whoever orders $75 or more throughout the month will automatically get the PDF package whenever it gets ready, as soon as it is ready.    Fair enough?

And now… it’s past my bedtime, so I’d better get going in that direction before I spill the beans on what else can be done with this basic concept.  

These are “The Infamous Eight” from yesterday

As always these follow the main guides for Blog Reader Specials (if you’ve not snatched up a Blog Reader Special, be sure to click and read how I do them). Just EMAIL (click it, or just email to ray (at) knitivity (dot) com) the name/number that you want; I’ll send a PayPal invoice and will ship when it’s paid. Very simple. Just be sure I know your shipping address so I can charge proper shipping (and sales tax if you are inside Texas) Only email requests will be honored, not blog-comment requests.

These are entirely one-of-a-kind hanks of SOCK yarn 4 ounce hanks, approx 460 yards, 75% washable wool/25% nylon, 4 ply. These are the result of yesterday’s unfortunate emergency over-dye of accidentally stained hanks. They were over-dyed with leftover dyes of other jobs, and look similar to some of my other colorways. But because there was some minor staining of the yarns, I cannot and will not say I could repeat any of these — it is difficult to know exactly what difference the staining made.

Even so, it’s all just dye and color, so the yarn itself is fine. Here is the collection, shown in the same order as yesterday’s shot on the rack:

>

And here are the available offerings … please note, many of these were claimed from the preview postings; on these (or any previous) pictures that seem reduced, they are merely constrained for viewing; you can right-click on any reduced picture and select “View image” or “View picture” and it will show you the full sized image. (And thus it is clear that regular blog readers get the deal first! Hence, “Blog Reader” specials!)

BRS - 16Jul10 - SOCK 01 - SOLD

BRS - 16Jul10 - SOCK 02 - SOLD

BRS - 16Jul10 - SOCK 03 - SOLD

BRS - 16Jul10 - SOCK 04 - SOLD

BRS - 16Jul10 - SOCK 05 - SOLD

BRS - 16Jul10 - SOCK 06 - SOLD

BRS - 16Jul10 - SOCK 07 - SOLD

BRS - 16Jul10 - SOCK 08 - SOLD

I think this is probably the first time I have ever had almost the entire cycle of stuff happening all at once on the porch:

Up there at the top row is 4 hanks of yarn destinated for Oregon (hi Awntie…. see? I didn’t forget you!) ; those are partly obscured by shadow, but no one else can claim them anyway, so it’s okay.  Also on top are 4 pair of socks that I’ve knit along the way.    No, there’s nothing special about them, except they needed washed and I was washing Awntie’s sock yarns so I tossed my socks in with ‘em.

For the record (lest anyone is painfully squeamish about such things), I ONLY wear socks one day, never twice without washing.    And I ONLY include my own sock-yarn socks (NEVER any of my other socks or any other of my personals!)  with my own sock-yarn dyes, since they all get the same wash-rinse-rinse-condition process, and I hate to waste resources.  If that bothers you, I’m sorry; I won’t run a washing machine for 8 socks, and I don’t like running them through with the regular loads of store-bought clothes.

Down below, on the 2nd rack are “The Infamous Eight” — those  are the 8 hanks I mentioned this morning that I went to dye for work orders and discovered they’d been stained.    So I overdyed them.   You’ll see a better shot of them down below.

And then resting on the milkcrates and rack down below are the day’s last steamer full of stuff.  I set it out there to cool more quickly, yet still gradually, so I can start their processing tonight instead of tomorrow, if I can stay awake that long.

Here’s a close up of The Infamous Eight:

That dark blip at the top of the one on the right is just a shadow from the sock hanging above it.    These are some seriously leftover remaindered bits of dyes, I can’t even begin to describe them just now.  I am counting on the fact that when they are reskeined into presentation format they will suggest to me some interesting visuals and appropriate names.   But I’ll still just number them, anyway, I suppose.   These are all sock yarn (75% superwash/25% nylon, 4 oz, 460 yards), and they will all be presented as Blog Reader Specials, at the regular BRS price of $23.50 + shipping, when they are dry and reskeined tomorrow, in no particular order.   if you see something you really really just gotta have and don’t want to risk losing to someone else, feel free to email and claim them before then.

For now…  my body says I’ve done as much damage as I can do for one day.

I’m still at the critical point on the mini-shawl, but while there’s sunlight left I’m going to  now take it to the patio and carefully, row-by-row, photograph and document this ever-so-delicate process of completing the final closure process.   And yes, I confess — I have dawdled on this a bit, mulling it over and over in my head just how I wanted to account for the various stitches and bring them all into a cohesive unit without too much buckling, warping, or rippling.  as long as I photograph these steps and then write it out to explain what is happening and why I’m doing “this” instead of “that”, it will all be well and good.

Wish me luck!

Please ignore that quivering shapeless blob, curled in a fetal position, whimpering over there in the corner.

The day started so very, very well.   I slept well, and woke with near-full enthusiasm, ready to tackle the bins of yarns that were now ready for dyeing.

And then I saw it — the top layer of  yarns in one of the bins had become stained with the most atrocious shade of “baby-poop green”.   Eight hanks to be exact.

You see, I soak my yarns in plastic bins in preparation for dyeing.   And to keep them neat and prevent early evaporation, I stack the bins one into another.   They all stay lovely and moist and ready to go.    Apparently one of the bins had come in contact with my work space from yesterday’s dyeings.   And when it was stacked onto the one beneath, there was just enough color to be noticeably awful, but more than could be rinsed out.

I couldn’t do my regular (paid-for) recipes on it, so now there are eight unanticipated Blog Reader Specials cooling on the porch.     Selling those right away will help pay for the emergency order I just called into the mill to replace the damaged ones.   Thankfully, I was told that Monday’s order has already shipped to me, so tomorrow or Friday I will once again be on target for most of my dates, and what was ordered today will accommodate the rest.   I hope.    Gawd, I so totally hope.

Anyway, that’s what’s happening here — madly catching up on dye orders and hoping there are no further incidents or catastrophes to interrupt an otherwise pleasant upwardly swing.

And in other news:    I will finished the mini-shawl sample today, and will show it off when it is done.   I won’t show the close-up detail pictures because there’d be no reason to sell the package later if I give away all my secrets now, right?       (yes, I’m wicked that way… bwaahahahahaha)   

Also, I have in my head yet another new design, derived from all this playing-with-shapes that I’ve been doing.    It’s going to be a Double Quarter-Round Baby Wrap.  I’m going to do it in some leftover kitchen cottons (which are also AWESOME for baby blankets).  If what I see in my head is what I end up with off the needles, you will be seeing pictures and pattern for that as well soon enough.

But now…. back to the dye pots I’ll go.   My next post will be the Blog Reader Specials.

This isn’t going out to all the lists, but it is posted on the front page and the Socks-Lace page and I wanted to put it here as well:

Psst! Secret (unadvertised) Surprise! Limited Time Only. Don’t want the special Triplet Combo listed? Want a different combination? Between now and July 16, just go ahead and order ANY THREE (or more) skeins of your choice of Socks or Dura-Lace; when payment clears PayPal, I will issue an instant refund of $2 per skein. Couldn’t be easier!

(and yes, it’s okay to tell your friends)

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Times are tough for everyone, and I understand that.   But I really need to sell some yarns.   I’ve already posted to the available ad lists and various venues this week, updated my Ravelry ads, and increased my exposure on other lists, but I need to find ways to “invite/encourage” more visitors.

You guys have been great about coming to pick up the Blog Reader Specials, and many of you are regular customers as well, which I really appreciate.   My regular customers (you guys and gals) have literally kept me going all these months, so the problem isn’t that you guys aren’t buying, it’s that there aren’t enough new eyes and ears hearing about Knitivity and coming to look and see.   Most of the better-known designers, dyers, and crafters got to be “better-known” by lots of word-of-mouth exposure, and that’s what I need.

So, if you have a blog or other venue, or participate in some of the other knitting/crochet/crafting lists, please consider sharing a link with your readers and regular visitors.   I’m on Facebook and on Twitter as well.  Or  they can join the KnitivityKnitterati group on Facebook or the KnitivityKnitterati group on Ravelry.

Also, if you are on an interesting group on Ravelry with knitters who would be interested in my yarns, feel free to let me know or send them a link to the Ravelry group.

Increased utilities and lowered sales have put me several months behind, and I’m hoping this will be the last year having to deal with the “summer slump” — but the only way to do that is to increase my exposure and I’m just not able to do it on my own.  There’s just a limit to how many places I can be, and how many eyes can see me on my own.

Thanks!    

Okay, so I’ve done as much as I can do today, and must turn my attention elsewhere, but I wanted to show you the progress so far:

Nana commented on the previous post that she thought I would kitchener graft the left and right pieces.

i don’t know what school Nana went to, but everyone knows that kitchener grafting is straight from the pits of hell, devised by Satan himself to confound and torment all of us who …. who …. umm… okay, so I’m just kidding.   But I really REALLY would not want to graft that yawning span in the middle.   There are still 16 stitches left in the bottom arc that must be brought to 4.    I “could” continue in pattern, until all the arc stitches are consumed, but doing so would then force me to graft the remainders of the left and right.

Not just “no”, but “hell no!”     hehehehehe  

I have a different trick up my sleeve, which will be revealed when the project is ready for distribution.   yeah, you’re just going to have to wait a bit longer, while I re-work the math just a bit, knit up samples of the basic shapes, individually, for this and the other shawl ideas I have, and write up the instructions.    Once you see the shapes, with guides for combining them, you will have all the tools you need for constructing anything you wish with them, and you will not need a formal pattern for this or that specific shawl.

I can already tell the math does need just a small bit of tweaking, and the finished project MUST be severely blocked in order to force the curves to lie flatly-flat as they should.    But, this is the nature of knitting and not a significant fault on my part.   (Stupid math is my fault, of course)

Anyway, other work must be done or I’ll never get anything ready for shipping.  I would definitely encourage you to invite your modular knitting friends to come and take a look, and to consider placing an order in order to receive the instruction packet when it is completed.

No seriously…  be honest… raise your hands if you actually expected this to be one of the possible combinations for putting the parts together….    and be honest!

naaahhhh… I bet you didn’t!

But from that position, it’s totally easy to consider this:

Yup.   I started at the upper right corner, knitting across the open stitches, picking up the side slipped stitches, and then did a long-tail cast-on in the middle, then picked up the slipped stitches on the near left top edge, and finished by knitting across the far left top edge.

Are you starting to see how the shawl is coming together?     No, seriously, some roundy-bumps on the right and some roundy-bumps on the left,  with a bit around the top for security?    Can’t you see it?

Well… how about now?  (click it and see)

NOW does it make sense?

And don’t forget — all orders over $75 this month will automatically get a copy of the project file when this is completed!

Okay, so I’ve been rushing madly to complete this project to make it sale-able.    I was out on the patio this morning trying to finish the 2nd half of it, and as I finished I realize there was clear evidence of the tension and pressure currently resting on me.

Just look how my needle has dented my thumb!     Yeah, okay, so it’s not permanent damage or anything, but just shows how firmly I’ve been driving my needles!

Oh… I guess you want to see what I’ve been working on, huh?    Okay.   Y’member a few days ago I showed you this:

Well, it has now become this:

which could also be configured like this:

Or, some contriving contrarian mind might even think of something like this:

And yes… it doesn’t LOOK like the bits and parts will align, but the stitch count is verified and all will be well after blocking.

The important thing you need to know is that there will be NO SEWING, NO SEAMING.    And I am currently using Down Home Solids in a fingering weight, but because of the nature of this project it can be done in ANY weight wool with any weight-appropriate sized needles.

And this is the first of several designs using the same core shapes and concepts, simply combined in different ways.   I won’t give away too much of it just yet, but the complete series instructions will be available at the end of this month and will be sent to everyone who places an order of $75 or more before the end of July.

The package will include the component charts, sample knittings, and written guidelines for using the core components in your own designs.    I will not attempt to knit several full size shawls in the next 3 weeks, of course, but will knit mini-shawl samples of the various designs to show that the  math and concepts work.  I will also include a color chart of several color combinations that you can play with.

As I said, everyone placing an order of $75 or more in the month of July WILL get the electronic PDF of the project when it is completed.    After July the package will be available for sale.

And now…. time to get back to joining these two parts with a third part.   

I really think you’re going to like this.

This week’s Triplet Collection began with Glacier Lake way back during my first year.    That inspired Lake  Berry and then eventually I tried combining both colorays and came up with Glacier Berry.

And from now until next Saturday, you can get this Triplet Collection for a discount when they are bought together!

Glacier Lake Inspired by this picture of Glacier Lake	Glacier Berry This is what happens when I mix <– Glacier Lake and Lake Berry –> – VERY cool, isn’t it?	Lake Berry Inspired by the Glacier Lake picture, replacing Teal with reds, thinking of the mountain berries that might grow in the area.
SUPER SPECIAL - GET A SET OF ALL THREE IN THIS COLLECTION FOR A DISCOUNT. Get Glacier Lake, Lake Berry, and Glacier Berry at a reduced combined price. When ordered together they will definitely be dyed from the same dye batches to ensure maximum coordinating potential!	Dura-Lace Glacier Lake Berry Collection $70.50 (save $6.00) offer expires July 17	Down Home Art Yarns Socks Glacier Lake Berry Collection $70.50 (save $6.00) offer expires July 17

This is what I’ve been working on, hoping to have at least the core instructions and charts done within another week.

Lately I’ve been flooded with ideas in my head for various ways to tackle a common theme from different directions.   This is just the start of a much bigger project.

And it is laid out on the work table rather sloppy just to get a general picture.   This is the 3d or 4th attempt and it is the first one even pretending to conform to the image I saw in my head.    I need to develop a better cast-on edge, and come up with a treatment for the open edge at the top.    But it’s all just math and judicious application of common techniques and basic shaping principles.   :-)     Beyond that it’s just squares and quarter-circles.

I will likely work a few more panels from both directions and create a miniature prototype, just to verify the math works for all (starting and subsequent) sections.    Then write the details out and have the pattern available for those who wish to buy the yarns.   Or perhaps I will assemble kits for this, with 2 or 3 different color theme options.     Whattaya think?

Anyway, it’s a busy busy DYE week ahead, so I won’t have a lot of time for actual knitting.    But I confess that I’m rather excited about this since I’ve not seen something exactly like this elsewhere, and I’ve had to calculate the math from scratch.

Okay… onward into the day.    It’s a federal holiday so no mail and no banking.  But plenty of local work to do.   See ya!

Ahhh yes, another month begins and I have another little bundle of fun for you!

As always these follow the main guides for Blog Reader Specials (if you’ve not snatched up a Blog Reader Special, be sure to click and read how I do them). Just EMAIL (click it, or just email to ray (at) knitivity (dot) com) the name/number that you want; I’ll send a PayPal invoice and will ship when it’s paid. Very simple. Just be sure I know your shipping address so I can charge proper shipping (and sales tax if you are inside Texas). Only email requests will be honored, not blog-comment requests.

DURA-LACE = 4 ounce hank, approx 920 yards, 75% washable wool/25% nylon, 2 ply

BRS 3July10 - Lace #01 - $23.50 & shipping. A mix of leftover blues/greens, a dump dye from the Changing Tides Collection orders that were dyed this week SOLD

And a close up:

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SOCKS = 4 ounce hank, approx 460 yards, 75% washable wool/25% nylon, 4 ply

BRS 3July10 - Sock 01 -

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BRS 3July10 - Sock 01 - $23.50 & shipping. Reminds me of painted woodend toys from the 1950s SOLD

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BRS 3July10 - Sock 02 - $23.50 & shipping. Another dump-dye from the Changing Tides Collection. SOLD

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BRS 3July10 - Sock 03 - $23.50 & shipping. leftovers of Art School, Jr. SOLD

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BRS 3July10 - Sock 04 - $23.50 & shipping. A mashup of leftover Banana Tree colors. (Banana Tree is not publicly available). SOLD

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BRS 3July10 - Sock 05 - $23.50 & shipping. Lovely wild greens — picture a meadow 2 days before everything bursts into bloom! SOLD

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BRS 3July10 - Sock 06 - $23.50 & shipping. Mostly reds and red-faces, some whites and smidges of yellowing. SOLD

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BRS 3July10 - Sock 07 - $23.50 & shipping. a mash-up of Carina Nebula colors. SOLD

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BRS 3July10 - Sock 08 - $23.50 & shipping. If there’s a green in the world, it’s probably in here somewhere! SOLD

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BRS 3July10 - Sock 09 - $23.50 & shipping. another mashup of Carina Nebula colors. SOLD

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BRS 3July10 - Sock 10 - $23.50 & shipping. Another dump-dye from the Changing Tides Collection with an overlay of salmon.   (yeah, really — SALMON…. it turns a funky golden brown when overlaid on these greens!) SOLD

(related to this blog, of course)

What would it be?

[ed:  Hi there, Hannah's Friends!  Thanks for dropping by; feel free to look around... there's a special sale going on this weekend, too!]

Y’member a few weeks ago i introduced the Romance Collection, which included both Luscious

and After Hours

Tuesday I got a delightful email from Jan Avcin, a regular customer:

Just wanted to show you how my DD is mixing Lucious and After Hours sock yarns into a very cool pair of hand warmers.  She is using a circular one stitch below pattern.  I think the fabric is very striking and shows off the colorways well.

And these are the pictures she sent:

(front/public view)

(front/public view)

(back/private view)

(back/private view)

In my mind it appeared like a regular 1×1 slip stitch sort of design, allowing contrasting colors to knit vertical stripes.   When I asked about it, this is how Jan explained it:

On circular needle(s) w/ a even number of stiches:

The pattern is

Row 1 (Color A)  K1, K1b
Row 2 (ColorB)  K1b,K1

K1b is literaly knitting into the stitch below the loop on the left needle then dropping both it and the working stitch over the new stitch on the right hand needle.  Every stitch is knitted on every row. I’ll comb the net for a clearer explaination.

The reverse side is also attractive. It makes a kind of flying V design.

As time allows I will post pics. To the Yahoo group.
Thanks!
Jan

Okay, so the K1b is Knit 1 Below (not the normal Knit 1 through back loop, which is variously noted as K1b or K1tbl).   (NOTE:  This is why it is important to check the symbol/abbreviation key for the pattern you are working on — designers use their own codes and they don’t always do it the same way!  And for designers: always always always include a legend of symbols and abbreviations, and be consistent through your pattern and don’t change meanings partway through that pattern.)

It is a fascinating process, and creates a lovely vertical striping.  I’m also thinking that it should create a slightly more flexible (horizontal) fabric, more than a regular 1×1 slip stitch*, which would be:

Row 1 (Color A) K1, Sl 1

Row 2 (Color B) Sl1, K1

Or another way of doing it would be to carry both colors on every row and do this:

Row 1 K1 A, K1 B

Row 2 (and continuing) K1 every A stich, K1 every B stitch

Essentially when knitting in Color A, you slip all the B stitches, and vice versa.  With variegated yarns in a collection it can be VERY difficult to determine which is which, if you are simply going by color.  Thus, this is a great technique for SOLID colors.

Either way, you now have access to another way to combine coordinating and/or disparate variegated yarns in a way that might not have seemed appropriate before.

* The reason I think it would create a more flexible fabric is that you are knitting each stitch on each row (which takes up a length of yarn for each stitch), and then every other stitch you are knitting into the stitch below the next stitch and thus releasing that length from the stitch above, but it is caught up into the fabric and not left hanging, as would happen when carrying yarn behind a slipped stitch.

Anyway… I hope you enjoy this and find a way to use it in your own knitting!

Okay, I mentioned on FB that I have this pile of odd ball fingering.

Jennie suggested I use it to start this year’s winter holiday Stocking.    I did one last year, providing various graph charts each week, but I never heard if anyone else was following along to make their own versions.  So I’m not sure I want to do that again this year.

It is an interesting collection and could make some interesting graphic or geometric modular designs, or some sort of stripes.

Most of these have been collected over several years — people would order  this or that and I’d get a few extra for myself to have on hand.   Well, now I have them on hand and not sure what to do with them.

So I will put it to you - what would you like to see me do with this collection of oddballs?   I won’t promise to actually DO any particular idea, of course, but I’m interesting in hearing some options

Well, actually, hoisting the cane onto my back in order to carry it when I ride my bike:

If you’ve been following along over the years, you know I walk with a cane when I leave the house, mostly because my leg joints hurt, and sometimes they fail to support me.   The cane helps with my stability, although thankfully it is only really bad when I have to go up or down stairs, or walk a long distance and my legs tire or whatever.

And you know I have a decent bike, which will allow me to go a distance without walking.  But when I get where I’m going, I have been without my cane to go in stores, run errands or whatever.

Well, that problem is no more.   I can now ride my bike AND have my cane with me when I get there:

I used my Mattel Barbie Knitter to use up a ball and a half of Noro Kureyon (I started with the green at the top of the cane, and the first ball ran out just beyond the gold, running into the grey).

Anyway, it’s just one l-o-n-g tube.  I crocheted around the open end (at the green) and then crocheted down one side, closed the other end, and crochet back up the other side.  When I got back to the starting point I did a row of single crochet to join the closed end to the back side of the open end.

So now, I can just sling it over my shoulder and across my chest so that the cane rides on my back.  No worries about it hitting the spokes of my bike, and it doesn’t extend beyond the width of the handlebars, so no big concerns for hitting or snagging other things.

I thought about felting it to make it a little sturdier, but this is totally utilitarian (albeit it pretty).   If I were to do it again, I would likely use Tunisian crochet worked flat, with a joining seam running up the center of the back (private) side.    Tunisian crochet would allow a firm base upon which to cross-stitch all sorts of things — my name, a brief quote, whatever.

This is the result of a long thought process.  I was originally trying to make something to attach to the bike, like a sort of pocket or something.  Then my brother mentioned a biker he knows who needs a cane when he gets off his motorcycle, so he carried his cane in a quiver-type device (like an archer uses for arrows).   That got me thinking in a new direction.

O’course, now that I’ve made it, I realize I could have just as easily just bought a rifle strap/sling, but I would have to attach the hardware, and then find the appropriate adjusting devices to quickly release it for throwing over my shoulder, and then just  as quickly pulling it snug or tightening it back down against itself for when I actually need to use the cane.   Heaven forbid I should get my foot tangled in a sling strap dragging off my cane!  LOL

Anyway, that’s my creative bit for the day.   Who wants/needs more detailed instructions to create your own similar project?

OH!   and when I am using the cane, obviously it comes out of the sling, and I can just toss the sling back over my shoulder as I run my errands.

While the Gulf oil spill continues to mess up the lives of countless thousands of seafood-business families, let’s imagine back to a better time…

Midnight on the Bayou — Imagine paddling your pirogue gliding toward the island in the middle of the bayou, surrounded by the cypress, listening to the waterworld creatures (perhaps the splash of a gator near the shore?). The water below looks so deep you could practically fall into it and never hit bottom. Glancing above, you see through the trees only the ever-changing cloudy figures silhouetted by the moon behind them. Through the clearing just ahead you see the family’s little fishing cabin erected on your island… so far away in the night it looks like forever.

These prices are the pre-posting preview prices extended only to Blog Readers and announced only to the Knitivity lists. These new colorways will join the regular line-up (at the regular prices) on Wednesday, June 23.

ed.  Blog Reader’s Preview Pricing has now expired; the Midnight on the Bayou Collection is now on the Socks-Lace page.

For reference, here are the original pictures used for the Blog Reader Specials:

Midnight Below

Midnight Above

Midnight Forever (I wasn’t originally going to include this one, but it is different enough, yet compatible enough, that a 3-skein collection was appropriate).