Listening to a podcast earlier today, if I remember correctly it was Just One More Row, they were talking about a month of casting on, where you would cast on a project every day of one month and I gasped and thought that it was a strange thing to do.
And then I thought about it again.
Maybe doing a swatch when you bring the yarn planned for a project the week you get it and casting on the project within a set number of days? I tend to have issues finishing, buttons are my nemesis, so I'm thinking using a lure of allowing myself to cast on only if I sew on a few buttons on an almost finished item.
Why shouldn't I start a tonne of projects? What is my problem? Not enough yarn? HAHAHAHAHAHA! Not enough needles? Not the issue. Not enough project bags, nope, I have a glut of fabric bags due to Ireland's Plastic Bag tax. I'm starting to think that I should maybe have a project on the go for every category I have in my queue.
Is this madness? Could this work?
Saturday, 24 September 2011
Friday, 23 September 2011
entreKnits review
EntreKnits from Interweave Knits
PC Version
Mac Version
Ravelry Link
Impressions: This is an enhanced ebook. Well designed. You can flick through the book page by page or use the index to go to what you're looking for. There are portions of the pages that are interactive, videos, and some horizontal scrolling on some pages so if basically it's like chapters that you then can go down rather than having to flick through something you're not quite interested in to get to a more interesting chapter. Also usefully, if you're navigating by arrow, when you go left or right it brings you to the top of the next page. You can resize the pages, useful when I was looking at my small screen netbook for this review.
Mac Version
Ravelry Link
Impressions: This is an enhanced ebook. Well designed. You can flick through the book page by page or use the index to go to what you're looking for. There are portions of the pages that are interactive, videos, and some horizontal scrolling on some pages so if basically it's like chapters that you then can go down rather than having to flick through something you're not quite interested in to get to a more interesting chapter. Also usefully, if you're navigating by arrow, when you go left or right it brings you to the top of the next page. You can resize the pages, useful when I was looking at my small screen netbook for this review.
It starts with a section on storage, where you can open the items to see what they're like, and click through to the company's website, usefully using the default browser on your machine.
Next up is a yarn review, the initial page is the swatches, done in diamonds, and you can scroll through or click whichever one catches your fancy, the quick reviews talks about usefulness for entrelac knitting.
Now a Book review, where they look at some books, patterns and dvds with some modular/entrelac designs
Now the meat starts; Annie Modesitt talks about maths and kniting and about befriending maths, this will probably be a chapter I return to again.
next up is a pattern, the Turn About Wrap
Modular is the next section where Jenna Wilson (the Girl from Auntie) looks at the history of modular knitting and patents
Soap Bubble hat by Norah Gaughan comes next, an oversized hat
Vivian Hoxbro looks at 3D Domino knitting and provides a pattern for a folded domino bracelet
The penultimate page has resources where you can find all the websites in one place.
To finish (and I almost overlooked it! due to the last page) Knitter and photographer Maryse Roudier takes some images and knits them, a very interesting section of inspiration
Overall I think it's an interesting magazine with a lot of samples of the kind of different modular and entrelac forms, it's a good introduction to the methods and some of the big-name designers in the field.
The next section is Entrelac - Meg Swansen gives a guide to blemish-free blocks; and talks about knitting backward, while Eunny Jang shows in a video how it's done. A pattern called Cochin Shrug is next (photograph to left)
Then they have some links to some Interweave Knits entrelac and other modular knitting
Quilt Inspired is the next section; starting with the Sweet Hexagon Cowl, an oversized pieced cowl where they're all linked as you go. The Lancaster Blanket is a blanket inspired by quilts, made modular.
Modular is the next section where Jenna Wilson (the Girl from Auntie) looks at the history of modular knitting and patents
Soap Bubble hat by Norah Gaughan comes next, an oversized hat
Vivian Hoxbro looks at 3D Domino knitting and provides a pattern for a folded domino bracelet
The penultimate page has resources where you can find all the websites in one place.
To finish (and I almost overlooked it! due to the last page) Knitter and photographer Maryse Roudier takes some images and knits them, a very interesting section of inspiration
Overall I think it's an interesting magazine with a lot of samples of the kind of different modular and entrelac forms, it's a good introduction to the methods and some of the big-name designers in the field.
Colour/Black & White: All colour
Target Audience: Intermediate to advanced knitters
Comments on patterns:
The Turn about Wrap creates a square wrap out of three triangular units with an two-colour iCord edging
The Turn about Wrap creates a square wrap out of three triangular units with an two-colour iCord edging
Cochin Shrug is an interesting shrug made from various sized blocks.
The Sweet Hexagon Cowl is an interesting draped cowl, not really what I need in a cowl (I need something a little tighter for under my motorbike jacket), tempting though!
Soap Bubble Hat is an oversized hat using bubbleshapes and designed by Norah Gaughan. Very oversized, if you're fond of that style it might appeal but it's not my type of thing.
Vivian Hoxbro provides a Folded domino bracelet. A different pattern, not really my style but an interesting method of design.
Buy/Borrow: it's a bit of an ARGH! Because my primary machine is Ubuntu this is a little awkward to access, and part of the reason it took me a while to get around to reviewing it, which would probably be a barrier to my actually considering buying it, but I do like it and would have bought it if I could have easily accessed it. (It requires Adobe Air to be installed - if you can get it working on your machine you should be able to get the Windows version to work, my computer is just not playing ball.)
Where found: Interweave Knits gave me a free copy for review, weeks ago.
The Cover Photograph is from Interweave Knits Website and the two pattern photographs are from Ravely and copyright their originators.
The Cover Photograph is from Interweave Knits Website and the two pattern photographs are from Ravely and copyright their originators.
Friday, 16 September 2011
Review of Crocheted Wraps & Throws
Ravelry Link
Published in the UK as Crocheted Throws and Wraps and the US as Crocheted Afghans
Impressions: Meh overall. Some of the pieces aren't bad but they're really not making me want to crochet them. Soem of them look rather insubstantial and wouldn't appeal to me for throws or shawls. Overall it didn't speak to me. I think part of the problem may have been the photography and settings.
Types of patterns: Piecework in crochet.
Number of Patterns: 25
Colour/Black & White: Colour
Schematics: no
Target Audience: it all looks like pretty basic stuff, the advantage with this sort of thing is that once you get the single blocks or the length roughly correct you can just make it bigger or smaller to suit.
How to crochet guide: yes, but the difference between UK and US terms isn't explained
Experimental/Classical/Modern: Pretty classical pieces
Comments on patterns: The first chapter is Vintage Style and they start with a Cream Comforter, pictured on a table, not what I'd use for a table is a piece with raised pieces. Made in Debbie Bliss Rialto DK (11 balls).
The Pale Green Textured Blanket is pretty simple, crocheted in one piece, with puff stitches, made in Debbie Bliss Como (22 balls).
The Circular Coverlet is first show as a shawl on a model, inspired by a vintage Doily. Made in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran (19 balls).
The Shetland-Style Shawl uses the shetland idea and makes a shawl with it in crochet. You could probably knit the center and crochet the outside, it's an interesting take on the Shetland blanket style. Knit in Baby Alpaca or Pure Wool DK (7x50g)
Puffs Baby Blanket - many, many puffs joined to make a blanket, the baby blanket requires 35g of colour A; 60g of colour B & C; 45g of colour D, E & F and 50g of G in 4ply. It notes that for every 10 puffs you will need 20g of yarn.
Argyll Afghan - worked initially like a parge colourwork granny square style affair from side to side with applied overchecks. This needs 9x 50g balls of Sirdar balmoral in 4 colours.
Gingham Blanket - a dense baby blanket worked in three colours and then edged, 8 x50g balls of Sublime Extra Fine Merino DK
Chapter 2: American Dream
Shaker-Style Throw - now the yarn isn't identified but it's a Silk Mohair and Wool Mix Aran weight in Random Shaded Grey (7x50g balls) and my mind is suggesting Noro. While this is an interesting homespun look, it doesn't say quaker to me, it isn't dense or practical enough. Also the squares aren't joined as you go but joined at the end.
Navajo Blanket center star and radiating saw-tooth borders. Inspired by Navajo design this one needs 18 balls of pure aran wool weight yarn in 6 different colours, done in pieces that are fastened together.
Seminole-Style Blanket - two strips that are then joined together; needs 14 balls of pure wool dk.
Sunshine & Shadow Throw, working in alternative squares of bright dark and light colours in a diamond pattern and then a plain border this usess dk yarn (wool rich); 270g of a, 65g of b, h; 50g c, e, g; 100g d, f; 200g I it would be aproximate though you could work with scraps of yarn depending on how much you had and work with filling in with approximate colours.
Log Cabin Coverlet - an interesting lesson in colour use and how to change colours in a round uses DK cotton yarn, 100g of A; 30g of B & C; 40g in D & E; 50g in F&G
Crazy Patchwork throw. Flowers are made square - about 170g of dk yarn in a mix of colours, this one could use up a lot of leftovers.
Chapter 3: Outside Inside
Rainbow Baby Blanket - strips joined and then with a rainbow sequence edging. - dk yarn 60g of A&B (red & Orange); 40g of (C, D, F) Yellow; Green & Violet; 90g in shades of blue (E) and 100g in Navy which is used as the edging.
Flower Garden Throw - Aran yarn made in hexagonal flowers and then joined - 11 x 50g balls in a variety of colours
Wild Flower Throw - flowers made from triangles and then set into squares and then worked together. Done in DK weight yarn with a single background colour and could be used to use up almost matching reds and pinks.
Roses and Daisies Throw - this one could be used to use up scraps with a solid background. 400g of a mix of dk yarn and 8x50g of background yarn.
Seascape Wall Hanging - this is a brown and blue hanging that echoes a seascape, as it's a hanging you could use any sort of yarn for this.
Landscape Play Blanket - a patchwork blanket
making fields, hills and sky for children to play with animals with. Done in a variety of dk greens with some yellow and blue scattered in.
Chapter 4 is Around the World
Tartan Blanket - bands of colour with grids of holes to weave contrast colours through. Done in DK yarn with 11 balls of dk yarn this could be one to for those who follow their clan tartan
African Beads Circular throw - inspired by tribal circular beadwork patterns. USing a contrast background to highlight the pseudo-beads, done in aran weight yarn, you would need 10 balls of yarn for this.
Scandinavian Sampler Throw - a red and white throw is cross stitched with red; 7 balls of 50g dk yarn
Aran-style throw - all in cream this is actually done in Aran Weight yarn - you will need 7x100g balls. There is a mock fringing which is quite effective.
Kelim Carpet runner - this makes me think more of New Mexican designs rather than more Turkish designs but we have here eight pointed stars in octagons joined in a strip. Aran yarn and you would need 7x100g balls for this, split over 5 colours
Indigo Ikat Throw - diamonds in the centre with chevrons coming off them in strips. a variety of blues, whites and creams dk weights
Buy/Borrow: I was a little underwhelmed; but this would be a great stashbusting book. Several of the designs look more ornamental than warming to me, I'd borrow to see what you think.
Where found: Dublin City Public Libraries has copies.
Published in the UK as Crocheted Throws and Wraps and the US as Crocheted Afghans
Impressions: Meh overall. Some of the pieces aren't bad but they're really not making me want to crochet them. Soem of them look rather insubstantial and wouldn't appeal to me for throws or shawls. Overall it didn't speak to me. I think part of the problem may have been the photography and settings.
Types of patterns: Piecework in crochet.
Number of Patterns: 25
Colour/Black & White: Colour
Schematics: no
Target Audience: it all looks like pretty basic stuff, the advantage with this sort of thing is that once you get the single blocks or the length roughly correct you can just make it bigger or smaller to suit.
How to crochet guide: yes, but the difference between UK and US terms isn't explained
Experimental/Classical/Modern: Pretty classical pieces
Comments on patterns: The first chapter is Vintage Style and they start with a Cream Comforter, pictured on a table, not what I'd use for a table is a piece with raised pieces. Made in Debbie Bliss Rialto DK (11 balls).
The Pale Green Textured Blanket is pretty simple, crocheted in one piece, with puff stitches, made in Debbie Bliss Como (22 balls).
The Circular Coverlet is first show as a shawl on a model, inspired by a vintage Doily. Made in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran (19 balls).
The Shetland-Style Shawl uses the shetland idea and makes a shawl with it in crochet. You could probably knit the center and crochet the outside, it's an interesting take on the Shetland blanket style. Knit in Baby Alpaca or Pure Wool DK (7x50g)
Puffs Baby Blanket - many, many puffs joined to make a blanket, the baby blanket requires 35g of colour A; 60g of colour B & C; 45g of colour D, E & F and 50g of G in 4ply. It notes that for every 10 puffs you will need 20g of yarn.
Argyll Afghan - worked initially like a parge colourwork granny square style affair from side to side with applied overchecks. This needs 9x 50g balls of Sirdar balmoral in 4 colours.
Gingham Blanket - a dense baby blanket worked in three colours and then edged, 8 x50g balls of Sublime Extra Fine Merino DK
Chapter 2: American Dream
Shaker-Style Throw - now the yarn isn't identified but it's a Silk Mohair and Wool Mix Aran weight in Random Shaded Grey (7x50g balls) and my mind is suggesting Noro. While this is an interesting homespun look, it doesn't say quaker to me, it isn't dense or practical enough. Also the squares aren't joined as you go but joined at the end.
Navajo Blanket center star and radiating saw-tooth borders. Inspired by Navajo design this one needs 18 balls of pure aran wool weight yarn in 6 different colours, done in pieces that are fastened together.
Seminole-Style Blanket - two strips that are then joined together; needs 14 balls of pure wool dk.
Sunshine & Shadow Throw, working in alternative squares of bright dark and light colours in a diamond pattern and then a plain border this usess dk yarn (wool rich); 270g of a, 65g of b, h; 50g c, e, g; 100g d, f; 200g I it would be aproximate though you could work with scraps of yarn depending on how much you had and work with filling in with approximate colours.
Log Cabin Coverlet - an interesting lesson in colour use and how to change colours in a round uses DK cotton yarn, 100g of A; 30g of B & C; 40g in D & E; 50g in F&G
Crazy Patchwork throw. Flowers are made square - about 170g of dk yarn in a mix of colours, this one could use up a lot of leftovers.
Chapter 3: Outside Inside
Rainbow Baby Blanket - strips joined and then with a rainbow sequence edging. - dk yarn 60g of A&B (red & Orange); 40g of (C, D, F) Yellow; Green & Violet; 90g in shades of blue (E) and 100g in Navy which is used as the edging.
Flower Garden Throw - Aran yarn made in hexagonal flowers and then joined - 11 x 50g balls in a variety of colours
Wild Flower Throw - flowers made from triangles and then set into squares and then worked together. Done in DK weight yarn with a single background colour and could be used to use up almost matching reds and pinks.
Roses and Daisies Throw - this one could be used to use up scraps with a solid background. 400g of a mix of dk yarn and 8x50g of background yarn.
Seascape Wall Hanging - this is a brown and blue hanging that echoes a seascape, as it's a hanging you could use any sort of yarn for this.
Landscape Play Blanket - a patchwork blanket
making fields, hills and sky for children to play with animals with. Done in a variety of dk greens with some yellow and blue scattered in.
Chapter 4 is Around the World
Tartan Blanket - bands of colour with grids of holes to weave contrast colours through. Done in DK yarn with 11 balls of dk yarn this could be one to for those who follow their clan tartan
African Beads Circular throw - inspired by tribal circular beadwork patterns. USing a contrast background to highlight the pseudo-beads, done in aran weight yarn, you would need 10 balls of yarn for this.
Scandinavian Sampler Throw - a red and white throw is cross stitched with red; 7 balls of 50g dk yarn
Aran-style throw - all in cream this is actually done in Aran Weight yarn - you will need 7x100g balls. There is a mock fringing which is quite effective.
Kelim Carpet runner - this makes me think more of New Mexican designs rather than more Turkish designs but we have here eight pointed stars in octagons joined in a strip. Aran yarn and you would need 7x100g balls for this, split over 5 colours
Indigo Ikat Throw - diamonds in the centre with chevrons coming off them in strips. a variety of blues, whites and creams dk weights
Buy/Borrow: I was a little underwhelmed; but this would be a great stashbusting book. Several of the designs look more ornamental than warming to me, I'd borrow to see what you think.
Where found: Dublin City Public Libraries has copies.
Thursday, 15 September 2011
Irish Patchwork
Impressions: This is a book that accompanied an exhibition of Irish Patchwork. A useful place to start if you want to look at the traditions of Irish Patchwork. It's an interesting peek into times gone by. There were three main methods. Mosaic, Log Cabin and Applique. Applique seems to be in the majority. She defines Mosaic as small pieces of cloth sewn together, while log cabin is where strips are sewn to a square. This shows how some women took what they had available and made something out of it. Patchwork was never, apparently, seen as commercial so this was a domestic task only, so people made them as gifts or for themselves.
Colour/Black & White: All colour
Target Audience: visitors to the exhibition
Comments on patterns: This would be useful if you're doing Log Cabin or other forms of pieced knitting, in making you look again at the concept and perhaps finding a different sequence you could take the piece in. The Cover map of Ireland is also interesting as a concept piece.
Buy/Borrow: I'd borrow, finding copies could be interesting as the exhibit was in 1979. I've seen copies pop up
Where found: Dublin City Public Libraries has copies in stock
Wednesday, 14 September 2011
Knitting & Crochet Bible
Impressions: Take the Knitting Bible add the Crochet Bible, bind for cheaper than the two separately, et voila. I'm not really going to review this one as I have both and plan to review them separately. I didn't see any new patterns and the copyright information didn't mention any revision details only published and dates.
Buy/Borrow: If you want both books but didn't get them separately
Where found: Dublin City Public Library has copies in stock
Buy/Borrow: If you want both books but didn't get them separately
Where found: Dublin City Public Library has copies in stock
Sunday, 14 August 2011
some wardrobe advice
(I'm going to cross post this to my blog, but I think it will get a better variety of comment here!)
So I've been looking at some of the advice presented about knitting to fit and choosing patterns that suit and I thought that they missed on a few details. Using your own wardrobe to see what suits you.
To start you will need some paint chips, those strips of colour available free; and a notebook or camera.
Now you root around in your wardrobe.
First you need to take an overall look at your wardrobe. Split it into the basic four themes. Work; Leisure; formal and other. Look at what they're composed of, how do the garments flow? More flowing garments are better complemented by finer gauge yarns. You also need to look at the gaps in your wardrobe, where would there be space for knits and what would add usefulness to things? Make notes as you go.
You need to examine the garments and see what it is about the garment you like, put it on and see what you think about it and why you like it. Is it the colour? The shape? The fabric? Use the paint chips in your notes to colour match things that you like the colour of and that you get compliments about. You will probably see that there are themes running through your wardrobe. The colour chips also come in useful, particularly if you get a good variety, in seeing complimentary colours, colours that would suit what is there already.
Now look at the items you don't wear. Why not? Ill fitting? note what's bad about them, note what attracted you in the first place to them. Colour? A single detail? Sketch or photograph them and be honest with yourself, do you really need them? If they're all bad, note it, note what doesn't suit it's often as important as what does suit and get rid of them. I have one main rule about outfits, if you have to tug on it beyond the Picard Manoeuvre to rearrange your garment after sitting, then there is something wrong about it. Examine what makes your uncomfortable about it. You may be able to change the garment a little to fix it, all those pretty knitted and crocheted edgings might come into use.
I know folks have rules about how long since you wore something that suggests when you should get rid of something. However you should remember that there are some things you may want to hold on to, beyond the regular spacings. A good interview outfit that fits is important but ensure it still fits well and is complete.
Now what you need to do is get a measuring tape and either use someone else to help and measure yourself or conduct a cheats method; take some items you like the look of on you and measure them flat. Note good lengths on you, note what makes you comfortable again.
How deep is good for v-necks, how deep do you like round necks, do you like collars?
Where does waist shaping look good on you, do you need it?
Do you like crop tops? Where should they hit? They are often the same length as shrugs. How low looks good on you? Don’t dismiss them, just because you don’t wear cropped tops, Boleros are another short length.
Waist length tops are another length that can look good and bad on people. Decide if you want it and where is good. Some jackets work at this length.
Next length is the hip length on you, for most if not all people this is a point below the widest part of the waist, often just below crotch length
The last usual length is a long tunic length. Usually this is where the end of your fingers come when you put your hands straight down by your side.
Now there is also the consideration of lifestyle. A lot of top lengths for me are dictated by the fact that many of them have to fit under a biker jacket, so while the length mightn’t be ideal as a look on me it’s more important for me to be warm on the bike!
This is only the start of some thoughts about this topic, here's hoping someone will find use from it.
So I've been looking at some of the advice presented about knitting to fit and choosing patterns that suit and I thought that they missed on a few details. Using your own wardrobe to see what suits you.
To start you will need some paint chips, those strips of colour available free; and a notebook or camera.
Now you root around in your wardrobe.
First you need to take an overall look at your wardrobe. Split it into the basic four themes. Work; Leisure; formal and other. Look at what they're composed of, how do the garments flow? More flowing garments are better complemented by finer gauge yarns. You also need to look at the gaps in your wardrobe, where would there be space for knits and what would add usefulness to things? Make notes as you go.
You need to examine the garments and see what it is about the garment you like, put it on and see what you think about it and why you like it. Is it the colour? The shape? The fabric? Use the paint chips in your notes to colour match things that you like the colour of and that you get compliments about. You will probably see that there are themes running through your wardrobe. The colour chips also come in useful, particularly if you get a good variety, in seeing complimentary colours, colours that would suit what is there already.
Now look at the items you don't wear. Why not? Ill fitting? note what's bad about them, note what attracted you in the first place to them. Colour? A single detail? Sketch or photograph them and be honest with yourself, do you really need them? If they're all bad, note it, note what doesn't suit it's often as important as what does suit and get rid of them. I have one main rule about outfits, if you have to tug on it beyond the Picard Manoeuvre to rearrange your garment after sitting, then there is something wrong about it. Examine what makes your uncomfortable about it. You may be able to change the garment a little to fix it, all those pretty knitted and crocheted edgings might come into use.
I know folks have rules about how long since you wore something that suggests when you should get rid of something. However you should remember that there are some things you may want to hold on to, beyond the regular spacings. A good interview outfit that fits is important but ensure it still fits well and is complete.
Now what you need to do is get a measuring tape and either use someone else to help and measure yourself or conduct a cheats method; take some items you like the look of on you and measure them flat. Note good lengths on you, note what makes you comfortable again.
How deep is good for v-necks, how deep do you like round necks, do you like collars?
Where does waist shaping look good on you, do you need it?
Do you like crop tops? Where should they hit? They are often the same length as shrugs. How low looks good on you? Don’t dismiss them, just because you don’t wear cropped tops, Boleros are another short length.
Waist length tops are another length that can look good and bad on people. Decide if you want it and where is good. Some jackets work at this length.
Next length is the hip length on you, for most if not all people this is a point below the widest part of the waist, often just below crotch length
The last usual length is a long tunic length. Usually this is where the end of your fingers come when you put your hands straight down by your side.
Now there is also the consideration of lifestyle. A lot of top lengths for me are dictated by the fact that many of them have to fit under a biker jacket, so while the length mightn’t be ideal as a look on me it’s more important for me to be warm on the bike!
This is only the start of some thoughts about this topic, here's hoping someone will find use from it.
Sunday, 17 July 2011
Working on versus in progress
I've been looking at my blog and playing a little with it. I do know that it's not the most exciting look but I prefer the background to the others offered.
One of the things I got rid of was the Blog Roll. I don't use it honestly and found myself a little upset recently when someone else didn't list me on their blog roll, so realised that I didn't list folks I read because they link to their blog posts on their twitter feed or I get them through the Irish Knitting Blogs list. So it's gone.
I also took a look at What's on my Needles and realised that while yes, those projects are technically not finished, and I do want to finish them there's something in the way. I think it was all precipitated by a project that I've been working on, the Roundabout Leaf Tank. I finished the main body yesterday and pulled it on.
Oh dear. It's too tight on the bottom, too loose at the top and I don't think that working on it any more will make it any better. I will rip it, but I'm holding on to it for the moment, I'm not through the mourning period for it yet.
What I am working on is Ivory, Copper & Gold; a cotton t-shirt in the same yarn as failed me before, I have a lot of this and will probably be able to finish it before needing to rip the Roundabout Leaf Tank.
I'm working on a pair of Eagle's Flight Socks for my husband, I wasn't sure how he would take them when I had got a little bit in, but he likes them, which is good.
I'm also occasionally working on Sagrantino Shawl these three form the bulk of my knitting these days.
I really have to get the zip into my pseudo-Biker Jacket but I have zip fear. I also have to add a lot of buttons onto my Purple Versatility and the sleeves need to be ripped out wholesale from the cardigan I've been working on.
What would be a good first moment would be to get some measurements of ME and use them to fix some pieces. That or bribe someone to do the finishing for me!
One of the things I got rid of was the Blog Roll. I don't use it honestly and found myself a little upset recently when someone else didn't list me on their blog roll, so realised that I didn't list folks I read because they link to their blog posts on their twitter feed or I get them through the Irish Knitting Blogs list. So it's gone.
I also took a look at What's on my Needles and realised that while yes, those projects are technically not finished, and I do want to finish them there's something in the way. I think it was all precipitated by a project that I've been working on, the Roundabout Leaf Tank. I finished the main body yesterday and pulled it on.
Oh dear. It's too tight on the bottom, too loose at the top and I don't think that working on it any more will make it any better. I will rip it, but I'm holding on to it for the moment, I'm not through the mourning period for it yet.
What I am working on is Ivory, Copper & Gold; a cotton t-shirt in the same yarn as failed me before, I have a lot of this and will probably be able to finish it before needing to rip the Roundabout Leaf Tank.
I'm working on a pair of Eagle's Flight Socks for my husband, I wasn't sure how he would take them when I had got a little bit in, but he likes them, which is good.
I'm also occasionally working on Sagrantino Shawl these three form the bulk of my knitting these days.
I really have to get the zip into my pseudo-Biker Jacket but I have zip fear. I also have to add a lot of buttons onto my Purple Versatility and the sleeves need to be ripped out wholesale from the cardigan I've been working on.
What would be a good first moment would be to get some measurements of ME and use them to fix some pieces. That or bribe someone to do the finishing for me!
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
Some finished socks
I've been a bad blogger and forgot to update my finished objects so I'm going to do a cluster of them spaced over a few days. Hopefully I won't leave so long between updates next time. The Last Item I finished was the Canal de Midi Socks.
I made some Bartholomew's Tantalising Socks
from Cat Bordhi's New Pathways for Socks Knitters
I also made some Fawkes
a free pattern from ravelry
I currently have a pair of socks for Mac on the needles. A pair of Eagle's Flight in Regia 4-ply Line Steps Colour
I also abandoned a pair of Widdershins I had them almost finished when I realised that they were too tight and weren't going to work, so another knitter took them off my hands and plans to finish them. They were going to be my pair of knee socks for this year but every inch I knit it seemed to get shorter.
I made some Bartholomew's Tantalising Socks
from Cat Bordhi's New Pathways for Socks Knitters I also made some Fawkes
a free pattern from ravelryI currently have a pair of socks for Mac on the needles. A pair of Eagle's Flight in Regia 4-ply Line Steps Colour
I also abandoned a pair of Widdershins I had them almost finished when I realised that they were too tight and weren't going to work, so another knitter took them off my hands and plans to finish them. They were going to be my pair of knee socks for this year but every inch I knit it seemed to get shorter.
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
Ethnic Knitting: Exploration Lithuania, Iceland & Ireland
BookDepository Link; Ravelry Link
Impressions: It's a slightly different book. Photographs are there to inspire, the garments are sketches, and it requires you to do some maths. It and it's companion Ethnic Knitting Discovery are more an exploration of how you would go about using yarn, patterns and styles to create a basic jumper. It's really not a book for absolute beginners but a book for intermediate to advanced knitters. Though, if in doubt try, what's the worst that can happen? You have to rip it? It's not the worst thing that could happen.
The initial garments are mostly jumpers but there are instructions for adapting for cardigans in a couple of different ways. There's also a capelet that's basically a practice piece without sleeves or a body for a yoked sweater.
She starts with an introduction to some techniques, some useful charts about yardage, guage and a few others and then explores the knitting traditions of Lithuania, Iceland and Ireland. The Lithuanian Chapter has some colourwork patterns, a fingerless mitten pattern; a Ragland Pullover with a Border pattern; a Raglan Pullover with Multiple Patterns and the chapter ends with suggested ways of working with Large Motifs.
Iceland is the next chapter. Another country where the "traditional" is modern, the icelandic yoke-style is a 20th Century innovation, she talks about how to knit with the unspun Loki Yarn and gives some traditional patterns. Then we have the Caplet, a pullover with horizontal bands on Yoke and a steeked Cardigan with horizontal bands
Ireland is the next chapter where she walks about Aran designs (though Baineen is probably more correctly White-ish, from the word Ba/n meaning white and een meaning little, or small; natural is close). She goes through knitting a swatch and how to make a swatch with cables more square! Her samples show, not only a photograph of what's going on but the photograph has an outline showing where the repeat is. The first pattern in this chapter is a poncho. As it's basically two rectangles sewn together you could probably change it to a wrap or throw. Then there's Aran Pullovers with Saddle Shoulders. There's a note about the Aran-style cardigan for an adult on the cover. She admits herself that she prefers working arans in the flat due to the pleasure she gets from the rest rows, but she does include instructions for knitting in the round.
The last chapter is about cardigans with three techniques, all for round-necked cardigans.
It's an interesting book, it requires some work from the reader but overall if you're looking for some designs from these countries it's a good place to start.
Types of patterns: Clothing
Number of Patterns: 9
Split of patterns: mostly jumpers with a pair of fingerless gloves and a capelet thrown in
Size Range: It's based on your numbers so technically any size
Colour/Black & White: Black & White
Schematics: yes
Target Audience: more for intermediate to advanced knitters than beginners.
How to knit guide: no, but a fair number of tips and tricks.
Experimental/Classical/Modern: Pretty Classical
Buy/Borrow: it's not a book for someone who wants quick and easy work, this one needs work. It's packed with good advice though and would be invaluable for someone on the path to learning to design.
Where found: Found in Cork County Library via Borrowbooks, I also bought my own copy.
Impressions: It's a slightly different book. Photographs are there to inspire, the garments are sketches, and it requires you to do some maths. It and it's companion Ethnic Knitting Discovery are more an exploration of how you would go about using yarn, patterns and styles to create a basic jumper. It's really not a book for absolute beginners but a book for intermediate to advanced knitters. Though, if in doubt try, what's the worst that can happen? You have to rip it? It's not the worst thing that could happen.
The initial garments are mostly jumpers but there are instructions for adapting for cardigans in a couple of different ways. There's also a capelet that's basically a practice piece without sleeves or a body for a yoked sweater.
She starts with an introduction to some techniques, some useful charts about yardage, guage and a few others and then explores the knitting traditions of Lithuania, Iceland and Ireland. The Lithuanian Chapter has some colourwork patterns, a fingerless mitten pattern; a Ragland Pullover with a Border pattern; a Raglan Pullover with Multiple Patterns and the chapter ends with suggested ways of working with Large Motifs.
Iceland is the next chapter. Another country where the "traditional" is modern, the icelandic yoke-style is a 20th Century innovation, she talks about how to knit with the unspun Loki Yarn and gives some traditional patterns. Then we have the Caplet, a pullover with horizontal bands on Yoke and a steeked Cardigan with horizontal bands
Ireland is the next chapter where she walks about Aran designs (though Baineen is probably more correctly White-ish, from the word Ba/n meaning white and een meaning little, or small; natural is close). She goes through knitting a swatch and how to make a swatch with cables more square! Her samples show, not only a photograph of what's going on but the photograph has an outline showing where the repeat is. The first pattern in this chapter is a poncho. As it's basically two rectangles sewn together you could probably change it to a wrap or throw. Then there's Aran Pullovers with Saddle Shoulders. There's a note about the Aran-style cardigan for an adult on the cover. She admits herself that she prefers working arans in the flat due to the pleasure she gets from the rest rows, but she does include instructions for knitting in the round.
The last chapter is about cardigans with three techniques, all for round-necked cardigans.
It's an interesting book, it requires some work from the reader but overall if you're looking for some designs from these countries it's a good place to start.
Types of patterns: Clothing
Number of Patterns: 9
Split of patterns: mostly jumpers with a pair of fingerless gloves and a capelet thrown in
Size Range: It's based on your numbers so technically any size
Colour/Black & White: Black & White
Schematics: yes
Target Audience: more for intermediate to advanced knitters than beginners.
How to knit guide: no, but a fair number of tips and tricks.
Experimental/Classical/Modern: Pretty Classical
Buy/Borrow: it's not a book for someone who wants quick and easy work, this one needs work. It's packed with good advice though and would be invaluable for someone on the path to learning to design.
Where found: Found in Cork County Library via Borrowbooks, I also bought my own copy.
Saturday, 21 May 2011
Knitting Sweaters from the Top Down - review
The first cover is for the hardback and has the Hyacinth Jumper on the cover
BookDepository Link; Ravelry Link
Author: Cathy Carron
other info: 1600595545
Impressions: Ill-fitting and ugly. I'm sorry, I wanted to like this book, I actually did. I like the concept of knitting from the top down and in the round, where I can concentrate on getting the fiddly bit done first and then moving on to the fairly straightforward bits, where I can work something in the round so there's minimal seaming, but this isn't the book I'd recommend to get into this technique. This book draws my eye for all the wrong reasons, novelty yarn, very bulky yarn, awkward angles and poses and what looks like kill-me-now expressions on the models faces. Add to that design elements that appear to hit on the wrong place and overlarge arm holes and you get a pattern book that has me looking at one garment and saying "well with some changes I'd knit that" (Coast for the record). The necklines are quite limited and don't The book also uses variegated yarn and ther's a lot of interesting pooling and flashing going on, if you don't like that effect, you might try alternating two balls.
This book fails for me on a few levels, it's completely not my style, it's going to date badly and I see nothing that I can't get better online. Now the initial advice isn't bad, the patterns just made me squirm, though the touch of having the yarn weight along the edge of the first page of the pattern is a nice touch.
Types of patterns: women's garments, though the general instructions could be used for any age or gender
Number of Patterns:
Split of patterns: Jumper (1)
Size Range: 36-48" (91-122cm)
Colour/Black & White: colour
Schematics: yes
Target Audience: Intermediate knitters.
How to knit guide: Basic knitting knowledge is assumed, this expands it to add a fair bit of information about this technique.
Experimental/Classical/Modern: the stuff is going to date, but under some of the dated yarns there is a potential for classic styles.
Comments on patterns:
The book opens with Cocoon, a fun-fur bulky bracelet length sleeved jumper. Shudder. (Pictured in Karbella's Barbados)
Aspen is a Belted cardigan, where the belt hits below the waist and with trim on the collar. In a bulky yarn. (Pictured in Karabella's Puffy)
Sparks is knit in bulky weight yarn again, with novely yarn on the cuffs and collars. Original knitted in Classic Elite's Rave and Bernat's Boa... a very plain jumper
Verandah is a boxy cardigan/jacket with some contrast yarn on the cuffs, which is stitched in. Knit in Bulky weight yarn the original was in Blue Sky Alpacas' Bulky.
Nest is a bulky weight v-notch jumper with wide sleeves. The author made me laugh with her advice to be careful about eliminating excess bulk and streamiline the shape, this thing is a bulky jumper that larger people should be careful about wearing, it will add a lot of bulk, the model is enlarged in it. Original knit in Rowan's Big Wool.
Birch knit in a bulky weight yarn with a turtleneck, relies on the yarn to make it different, the original is knit in Classic Elite's Tigress which is a thick and thin yarn.
New Leaf has a long rib that starts under the bust, again knit in chunky weight yarn, the original was knit in Classic Elite's Paintbox
Indian Summer has an extended cowl collar, knit in Chunky weight yarn, the original was in Muench's Vamos, apart from the extended cowl it's pretty plain
Evergreen just made me twitch, very wide collar that sits quite far back in a contrast yarn, matching the cuffs, the ties have pompoms, it's in chunky weight yarn. The original was knit in Lion Brand's Moonlight Mohair and Reynolds Lopi. The model is depicted with her arms folded in front, careful reading suggests taht the only fastening involves the pompom decorated neckties.
Hyacinth is the depicted jumper on the front of the hardback copy, yes the one with bobbles... knit in chunky weight yarn with stripes and bobbles in different colours it's knit in Reynold's Lopi
Flora this is a chunky weight yarn, polo collar, the sleeves in this just looked a bit too wide at the armhole. 3/4 length sleeves, original knit in Muench's Ocean.
Dewdrop is a v-necked cardigan with fun-fur edging and rounded ends. The original was knit in Artful Yarn's Legend and Reynold's Scandal, the sleeves are just below the elbow, the yarn is chunky.
Peony tied at the neck, knit in heavy worsted yarn, cardigan. Originally knit in Classic Elite's Minnie. The 3/4 length sleeves are also fastened by ties.
Cherry Blossom is the top featured on the cover of the book, it's knit in Heavy Worsted Weight Yarn, to me the armholes are too wide. Overall not too bad. Originally knit in Karabella's Empire Silk
Flame is originally knit in Classic Elite's Montera this is a hooded sloppy heavy worsted weight yarn with a textured stitch pattern
Ember round-necked with horizontal knitted tubing on the neck, waist and sleeve ends. This requires a particular body shape, one I don't have, oroginally knit in Artful Yarns/JCA's Cinema which is a heavy worsted weight yarn.
Snowberry has an off-to-one-side collar in a contrast yarn and uses the yarn to create interest, the yarn is Berocco's Softy, a heavy worsted weight yarn.
Wild Plum I think it's trying to be kinda kimono-ish but it just doesn't seem to work. A contrast belt with a ribbon tie which hits mid-waist might work bettwe if it was on the waist. The ruffled sleeve edge also just didn't really work for me. It's in Heavy Worsted Weight yarn. Original knit in Muench's Touch Me.
Coast is a polo-necked top, split in front, knit in DK weight yarn, some shaping could help here, and I'm not sure how it sits because the model is standing a bit strangely. Original knit in Reynold's Saucy. My favourite of all patterns.
Breeze is a widenecked top with beads, with reverse stitch horizontal stripes. In Dk weight. Classic Elite's Bamboo
Bloom is a boxy cardigan with a contrast collar and a flower on the shoulder, originally knit in Rowan Classic Yarns' Soft Lux and Lurex Shimmer. the cuffs are wide with contrast stitching.
Stardust is a sleeveless top using a sequin strung yarn knit in with the basic yarn. It's knit in Blue Sky Alpacas' Sport Weight and Berocco's Lazer FX a dk and polyester sequin thread. polo neck.
Verbena has a ruffle neck, with beads and textured stitches, a dk weight short-sleeved top. I would kinda like to see this without the ruffle, it might be okay. Original in Karabella's Zodiac
Violet horizontal wide stripes in DK weight yarns, original in Berroco's Glace, a wide-ish neck, ribbed along the sides to help with shaping.
The end of the book has a number of basic patterns in different guages, cardigans and pullovers Basic DK Pullover is one. Ignore the 10 st guage and 8 stitch guage in the titles and check out the yarn weights and actual guage in the text.
Buy/Borrow: I would be more inclined to get Barbara Walker's Knitting from the Top
or Custom Knits
by Wendy Bernard, Wendy Bernard more for the patterns and Barbara Walker for the how-to.
Where found: South Dublin County Libraries, borrowed through Borrowbooks.ie
BookDepository Link; Ravelry Link
Author: Cathy Carron
other info: 1600595545
Impressions: Ill-fitting and ugly. I'm sorry, I wanted to like this book, I actually did. I like the concept of knitting from the top down and in the round, where I can concentrate on getting the fiddly bit done first and then moving on to the fairly straightforward bits, where I can work something in the round so there's minimal seaming, but this isn't the book I'd recommend to get into this technique. This book draws my eye for all the wrong reasons, novelty yarn, very bulky yarn, awkward angles and poses and what looks like kill-me-now expressions on the models faces. Add to that design elements that appear to hit on the wrong place and overlarge arm holes and you get a pattern book that has me looking at one garment and saying "well with some changes I'd knit that" (Coast for the record). The necklines are quite limited and don't The book also uses variegated yarn and ther's a lot of interesting pooling and flashing going on, if you don't like that effect, you might try alternating two balls.
This book fails for me on a few levels, it's completely not my style, it's going to date badly and I see nothing that I can't get better online. Now the initial advice isn't bad, the patterns just made me squirm, though the touch of having the yarn weight along the edge of the first page of the pattern is a nice touch.
Types of patterns: women's garments, though the general instructions could be used for any age or gender
Number of Patterns:
Split of patterns: Jumper (1)
Size Range: 36-48" (91-122cm)
Colour/Black & White: colour
Schematics: yes
Target Audience: Intermediate knitters.
How to knit guide: Basic knitting knowledge is assumed, this expands it to add a fair bit of information about this technique.
Experimental/Classical/Modern: the stuff is going to date, but under some of the dated yarns there is a potential for classic styles.
Comments on patterns:
The book opens with Cocoon, a fun-fur bulky bracelet length sleeved jumper. Shudder. (Pictured in Karbella's Barbados)
Aspen is a Belted cardigan, where the belt hits below the waist and with trim on the collar. In a bulky yarn. (Pictured in Karabella's Puffy)
Sparks is knit in bulky weight yarn again, with novely yarn on the cuffs and collars. Original knitted in Classic Elite's Rave and Bernat's Boa... a very plain jumper
Verandah is a boxy cardigan/jacket with some contrast yarn on the cuffs, which is stitched in. Knit in Bulky weight yarn the original was in Blue Sky Alpacas' Bulky.
Nest is a bulky weight v-notch jumper with wide sleeves. The author made me laugh with her advice to be careful about eliminating excess bulk and streamiline the shape, this thing is a bulky jumper that larger people should be careful about wearing, it will add a lot of bulk, the model is enlarged in it. Original knit in Rowan's Big Wool.
Birch knit in a bulky weight yarn with a turtleneck, relies on the yarn to make it different, the original is knit in Classic Elite's Tigress which is a thick and thin yarn.
New Leaf has a long rib that starts under the bust, again knit in chunky weight yarn, the original was knit in Classic Elite's Paintbox
Indian Summer has an extended cowl collar, knit in Chunky weight yarn, the original was in Muench's Vamos, apart from the extended cowl it's pretty plain
Evergreen just made me twitch, very wide collar that sits quite far back in a contrast yarn, matching the cuffs, the ties have pompoms, it's in chunky weight yarn. The original was knit in Lion Brand's Moonlight Mohair and Reynolds Lopi. The model is depicted with her arms folded in front, careful reading suggests taht the only fastening involves the pompom decorated neckties.
Hyacinth is the depicted jumper on the front of the hardback copy, yes the one with bobbles... knit in chunky weight yarn with stripes and bobbles in different colours it's knit in Reynold's Lopi
Flora this is a chunky weight yarn, polo collar, the sleeves in this just looked a bit too wide at the armhole. 3/4 length sleeves, original knit in Muench's Ocean.
Dewdrop is a v-necked cardigan with fun-fur edging and rounded ends. The original was knit in Artful Yarn's Legend and Reynold's Scandal, the sleeves are just below the elbow, the yarn is chunky.
Peony tied at the neck, knit in heavy worsted yarn, cardigan. Originally knit in Classic Elite's Minnie. The 3/4 length sleeves are also fastened by ties.
Cherry Blossom is the top featured on the cover of the book, it's knit in Heavy Worsted Weight Yarn, to me the armholes are too wide. Overall not too bad. Originally knit in Karabella's Empire Silk
Flame is originally knit in Classic Elite's Montera this is a hooded sloppy heavy worsted weight yarn with a textured stitch pattern
Ember round-necked with horizontal knitted tubing on the neck, waist and sleeve ends. This requires a particular body shape, one I don't have, oroginally knit in Artful Yarns/JCA's Cinema which is a heavy worsted weight yarn.
Snowberry has an off-to-one-side collar in a contrast yarn and uses the yarn to create interest, the yarn is Berocco's Softy, a heavy worsted weight yarn.
Wild Plum I think it's trying to be kinda kimono-ish but it just doesn't seem to work. A contrast belt with a ribbon tie which hits mid-waist might work bettwe if it was on the waist. The ruffled sleeve edge also just didn't really work for me. It's in Heavy Worsted Weight yarn. Original knit in Muench's Touch Me.
Coast is a polo-necked top, split in front, knit in DK weight yarn, some shaping could help here, and I'm not sure how it sits because the model is standing a bit strangely. Original knit in Reynold's Saucy. My favourite of all patterns.
Breeze is a widenecked top with beads, with reverse stitch horizontal stripes. In Dk weight. Classic Elite's Bamboo
Bloom is a boxy cardigan with a contrast collar and a flower on the shoulder, originally knit in Rowan Classic Yarns' Soft Lux and Lurex Shimmer. the cuffs are wide with contrast stitching.
Stardust is a sleeveless top using a sequin strung yarn knit in with the basic yarn. It's knit in Blue Sky Alpacas' Sport Weight and Berocco's Lazer FX a dk and polyester sequin thread. polo neck.
Verbena has a ruffle neck, with beads and textured stitches, a dk weight short-sleeved top. I would kinda like to see this without the ruffle, it might be okay. Original in Karabella's Zodiac
Violet horizontal wide stripes in DK weight yarns, original in Berroco's Glace, a wide-ish neck, ribbed along the sides to help with shaping.
The end of the book has a number of basic patterns in different guages, cardigans and pullovers Basic DK Pullover is one. Ignore the 10 st guage and 8 stitch guage in the titles and check out the yarn weights and actual guage in the text.
Buy/Borrow: I would be more inclined to get Barbara Walker's Knitting from the Top
or Custom Knits by Wendy Bernard, Wendy Bernard more for the patterns and Barbara Walker for the how-to.Where found: South Dublin County Libraries, borrowed through Borrowbooks.ie
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