How The West Was Spun

WIP Wednesday: May 23, 2012

SPINNING PROJECT:

As I thought, with D and I in Denver over the past weekend, I didn't get a lot of spinning done, but I am working on the "Burly" BFL and I've gotten perhaps 3 oz of the 4 spun up.

I'd like to try to get this first 4 oz spun up, and then I'll be ready to tackle the 4 oz of the 2IBH colorway I'm going to ply together with this. 

KNITTING/DESIGNING PROJECTS

Lots of good knitting time in the truck this weekend.  I finished up handspun sock #1 and started on sock #2.  I'm just about ready to turn the heel on sock #2.  I'd like to at least get that done up and might even get the leg finished this week.  The pattern is at the test knitters for this one, and I'm hoping to have it ready for early June.

In the meantime, I got the go-ahead to start the next Sekret Knitting Project.  Nicely enough, more of my shop yarn, so I dyed that up to get ready to wind it today and cast on.  This is a larger project, but not huge, and should knit up fairly quickly at the gauge I've selected for it.  Deadline on that is early July, so I'll prioritize that for a while and sneak in some sock-knitting time in the car or doctor waiting rooms to get the handspun socks finished up.

All for now......

 

WIP Wednesday: May 16, 2012

Spinning Project:

I finished up the singles BFL I was working on (with pics of that to come on Friday) and moved on to more BFL.  (I have a lot of it.  A LOTTA lot.)

This is "Burly" on BFL from Funky Carolina eons ago.

I am spinning this up as a combo spin with another braid of BFL (toldja I had a lot) from 2IBH, which I'll show you when we get there.  For right now, I'm planning on spinning this as a fingering-weight 2-ply, one ply of each colorway.  Possibly for a short-sleeved sweater if I've got enough yardage.  I have started this, but probably won't get much accomplished as D and I are going to Denver for a few days in the next week.

Designing/Knitting Projects:

 I finished up the sock club socks!  Woot!  The pattern is off to be test knit, but the samples in the smaller size are done.  I just need to put the final tweaks on the pattern when it's done being test knit in the second size.

I also finished up my Cider Mill Pullover.  It needs ends darned in and a good blocking, but the sample is done.  After we are back from Denver, hopefully next week, I'll crunch some more numbers for the multiple sizes and then that can go to the tech editor and be put to bed until the collection is published.  I was really happy with how the sample came out - I knit it my size so I'd have the opportunity to wear it this fall and it fits me perfectly.

Would you like a preview of the colorwork pattern?  I love how nicely the Rowan Tweed colors work together.

With those 2 projects done, I'm still waiting on confirmation about yarn for the next Sekret Deadline Knitting project, so I'm going to focus on the handspun socks that I'm working on.  (Which I have had to frog back to mid-foot after the heel turn due to a martini on Saturday evening.  I can apparently knit with wine but not vodka on board.  Who knew?)

And I'm going to put the hat for the fall collection on the needles and get going on the sample for that.  That's an easy project I can pick up and put down pretty easily, if the yarn gets fast-tracked for the other Sekret project.

All for now......

 

New Design: Hessian Boot Socks

I'm very excited to announce the publication of a new design, my Hessian Boot Socks.  These are available via Interweave Press's recent Jane Austen Knits, Summer 2012 publication.  (It's available right now for a downloadable order, or you can preorder the print copy at their site.)  All photos below are courtesy of Christa Tippmann and Interweave Press.

These are a 2-color sock, which I designed as a nod to the Hessian boots of the early 19th century.  Originally military issue, these became almost ubiquitous footwear for upper class and gentry class men in Jane Austen's time.  In an era when most men of those classes rode a horse as their primary means of transportation, these well-fitting boots protected their legs from rubbing against the stirrup leathers of the saddle. 

The socks are knit in my Freya BFL sock yarn.  They feature a contrast color cuff, heel and toes with a small faux side seam and diamond clocking at the ankle.  (You can choose to knit the diamond pattern as you knit the socks, or add it with duplicate stitch afterwards.  Or leave it off entirely!).  These are sized for men, but the smallest men's size will work fine for most 7-9 women's shoe sizing too.

Since the editors were kind enough to let me use a shop yarn for these, I'm offering yarn packs for the 2 colors as shown in the sample (or request your own 2-tone combination and I'm happy to dye that up for you if black and tan isn't your thing).

I'm thrilled to be included in this great publication.  There are actually several other patterns in it I wish I had the time to knit for myself too!

All for now......

WIP Wednesday: May 9, 2012

SPINNING PROJECTS:

I finished up the Dragonfly Polwarth from FatCatKnits; you saw that on Friday.  I needed a lot of spinning therapy in the last week apparently, so I also started and finished a 4-oz braid of Shetland (and I'll share that with you on Friday).  I pulled out a gradient-dyed colorway from the 2IBH girls, "Thunder and Lightning", and started on that this weekend.

I've spun up just about half of the singles of this 4-oz braid.  My plan is to leave it as singles for a small shawl, so hopefully I'll have this spun up to show you next week, since we won't be waiting on plying.

KNITTING/DESIGN PROJECTS:

Since I had my IV treatment last Friday, which is always a good knit-time weekend, and since I've missed a week of a WIP post, I actually have gotten quite a bit of knitting done.

Harvest collection pullover: I finished up the second sleeve on my fall harvest sweater, and everything's been attached together at the yoke, and I'm halfway through the first set of yoke charts before the second decrease.   That's on hold a bit as I forge along on some socks.

Socks for the sock club:  I'm making good progress on these.  I got the first sock of the sample knit and I've now started on the second.  I got charting and instructions done for my test knitter for the second-size variation of this one and she should have the yarn to get started on those in the next week.  I have a few things to tweak on the sample size I'm knitting, but my goal is to try to get these done in the next couple of weeks.... let's say by the 21st or so, and that way, they'll be done for a June release.

Handspun socks:  I started a new design that'll appear in the next Ennea publication.  A nice basic, but not boring pair of handspun socks.  I have the pattern written up and that's already at the test knitter.  I "just" need to knit up my pair of the samples.  If you have any interest in test knitting a pair of these, please let me know.  It doesn't have to be in handspun, just a sock yarn where you can get 8 sts/inch for the gauge.  They are toe-up with a very basic and easy lace pattern on them.  (The lace is only on every 4th row and it's 2 y/os and a center decrease and that's it!).  The pattern has 2 sizes S/M (for women's sizes up to size 7) and M/L for women's size 8 to 11.  I could use one test knitter for each size, and then, if there is by chance someone with handspun they'd like to use, you can pick whichever size you want.

I'd like to also get a fair amount done on these since I have another pattern that was accepted that'll be on a July 1st deadline so I'll need to get started on that pretty soon once the yarn/colorway/contract are finalized!

All for now...

WIP Wednesday: April 25, 2012

SPINNING PROJECTS:

I'm just about done the singles of the FCK Polwarth.  I'm hoping to finish those up and at least get started on plying this week.

KNITTING/DESIGNING PROJECTS:

I finished up the last bit of the big Sekret Knitting Project.  All the ends are woven in and the last little details done, so it's ready to send off!  Woot!

This week, then, I've been concentrating on a few smaller things, one of which is a pair of socks (I don't think that's spilling the beans too much since it's for a sock club - not a huge surprise there, eh?).  I had a certain picture in my head for these when I started them.  Knew basically how I wanted the sock to look, the reference for it, etc., but was unhappy with every iteration that's gone on the needles for it.  Seriously, this poor yarn (which still looks pretty darn good, BTW), has been frogged and reknit 7 or 8 times.  But I think I've got it the way I want it. FINALLY.  I've knit the leg of sock #1 and turned the heel.  The rest of the week I'll work on getting the gusset and foot knit and be sure it's what I envisioned for the entire look of the thing. 

I also have been working on the first project for the fall harvest-themed collection, which is a women's pullover sweater. I've got the body knit up to the armholes and I started on sleeve #1.  I'm hoping to work on that as my semi-mindless project in the evenings, as it's at the point I'm just doing sleeve increases in the round and lends itself to a movie night or something similar.

I may also see where I am on the gansey-patterned mitts I'm working on for Snowshoe Farm Alpacas.  Those aren't on a deadline, per se, but they would be nice to send to Terry for the fall show season, and they aren't a difficult knit, so I may be able to pop them into the rotation too.

All for now.....

WIP Wednesday: April 18, 2012

SPINNING PROJECTS

I have not yet started on my next-in-queue spinning project, but tonight it'll go on the wheel.  That's the pretty "Dragonfly" colorway from FatCatKnits.  I'm going to try to devote 1 night a week to some spinning or else it just ain't gonna happen.

DESIGNING/KNITTING PROJECTS

I am SO close to finishing the big sample Sekret Knitting Project.  Probably another evening to finish the knitting and then another day or two to block and finish sewing things together.  Once this is done and off my plate, my other contracted projects are smaller items, so I'm hopeful I might sneak in a little bit of personal knitting and get started on my fall collection projects in rotation as well.  I'm definitely ready for a break from big projects that need to be knit on tight deadlines for a bit!

All for now......

WIP Wednesday: April 11, 2012

If nothing else, this week's post serves as a reminder I'm getting old... nay... ancient even... since LAST Wednesday escaped from me completely.  (Now, to be honest, I got back on Monday after 11 hrs on the road from Texas.  The power then went out promptly at 8:30 pm and was out until the following morning around 10:00 due to a large ice/snowstorm we had come thru, and then Tuesday the main sewer line out of the house backed up, so I will write all of my forgetfulness off to a few other stress-laden things and move on, as surely I am not getting old.  Ahem.)

SPINNING PROJECTS:

Actual spinning in the form of a a 4-oz braid of SW BFL from 2IBH.  I'm just starting to ply so I may have a finished yarn to share by the end of the week.  That's my goal anyway.   This is a great neutral colorway - "Arabica" - dark browns and gray-black.

KNITTING PROJECTS:

Que?  Nothing here really to speak of  (but see below for a little poll).

DESIGN PROJECTS:

I am about 60% of the way thru knitting the sample for my deadline knitting that's due May 9th.  I'm keeping my nose to the grindstone on this - I'd like it not to be as big a rush job to finish up as my last one was, and I think I can get good headway made towards finishing this in the next couple of weeks, leaving me time to get it blocked and in the mail and not be quite so crazy.  That'll be my focus for the next week or so.  I do have a couple of other small things I'll work on once that's done, but they are still on hold right now until I finish up this big one.

So... on to the poll.  I'm working up a fall group of patterns.  The theme is New England Harvest.  It will contain 2 sweaters (one women's, one unisex), a pair of socks, a pair of colorwork mittens, a hat/mittens set, and a long cowl/scarf.  I actually started on one of the sweaters while I was in Texas and got quite a bit done, although I've put that on hold until the deadline project is completed.

Would you, gentle readers, like to be kept up-to-date with pictures and details of the collection projects as I work through them?  Or would you prefer just to have a "ta-da" moment when the collection is unveiled later this fall?  Speak your mind...... 

WIP Wednesday: March 21, 2012

SPINNING PROJECTS: 

Stop the presses - I spun something!  More details on that Friday, but I finished up the alpaca/bamboo/sparkle yarn.  It came out lovely and soft and drapey, and a nice heavier laceweight.  I moved on and started a brand-new braid of superwash BFL from Two If By Hand in the "Arabica" colorway.  D pronounced it "a good guy" colorway and I think it is that with browns, blacks, and dark gray, although I'm a fan of those colors too.  That's earmarked for a pair of socks at some point.

KNITTING PROJECTS:

I knit nothing on any "personal" knitting this week.  (See below.)

DESIGN PROJECTS:

I'm pushing myself along on the current Sekret Knitting Project and I'm in what feels like the home stretch.  Still a decent amount to knit, but it's mostly "knit as established" at this point until I'm ready to get it off the needles, so I can work on that with a little less concentration.  However..... I also heard this week that I've got another project accepted for publication.  This one with a deadline in the first week of May, so I definitely wanted to push along and get the current project wrapped up so I can focus on the next one.

April promises to be a busy (but blog boring) month:  I've got the new design to get worked up, plus a design for the May Ennea, plus a design for the Yarn Love sock club - so lots of things I'll be referring to in vague, nondescriptive and highly annoying to dear-reader terms.  Back to it!

All for now....

WIP Wednesday: March 14, 2012

KNITTING PROJECTS:

So.. having finished up the baby projects for the foreseeable future, I've really just got deadline knitting and swatches on the needles right now.  I'm in kind of a weird limbo state - I know I don't have a ton of time to do personal knitting right now, and I'm up to my eyeballs in dyeing for the Dallas show, which I'll be heading out for in 2 weeks (YIKES!) - so I sort of don't want to get too involved in a personal knitting project, but on the other hand... I kind of need a mental break from deadline knitting occasionally.  I think I may pick up the sadly neglected Vitamin D cardi and see if I can remember where I am on that this week.  (Somewhere in the short-row shaping of the body.......).

SPINNING PROJECTS:

I got the first bobbin of the charcoal gray alpaca/bamboo/sparkle spun this week!  First spinning in a long time and it felt great!!

I have another 2 oz to spin up - I'd like to get that done this week and move on to plying if I can!

DESIGN PROJECTS:

I'm about half-done my current focused Sekret project.  It felt good to get thru the midway point on that.  Not sure it will work out, but I'd love to be able to get the finished sample on this knit up before I leave for Dallas, so I can take some less-focused knitting along with me to work on during quiet times in the booth or in the evenings.   If I decide I don't have the mental capacity to figure out what's going on with the Vitamin D cardi, I'll probably pull out the gansey mitts I'm working on as my "for me" knitting for a bit, but those also might be a good project to take on the road.

Can you tell I'm kind of in a waffling limbo state of mind right now? 

All for now....

FO: Kinsale Sweater

I finished up the Kinsale baby sweater this weekend, and it's ready to go off to the new wee one.

PROJECT SPECS:

Pattern:  Kinsale Sweater by Terri Kruse.  I used the numbers for the size 18-mos, but knit it with a bouncy sportweight, so it wound up being almost spot-on for the size 12-mos when it was finished, due to the gauge difference.  (Which is perfect - it'll fit the little one this fall and into the holidays most likely).
Yarn:  Wooly Wonka Fibers Belissama Sportweight (SW merino) in the "Waters' Edge" colorway.  I used about 300 yards for this size.
Needles:  Size 5 US circs and DPNs.
Buttons:  Blue ducks - can you believe I had them in a stash box?

Mods:  None, really, other than to manipulate the size/gauge.

This really is a nice basic, quick-to-knit project.  Definitely do-able in a weekend if you can devote it to knitting, and even more so as a worsted-weight project.  I think if I had even half my brain to devote to reworking the pattern tho, I would do a couple of things differently.  I'd like the raglan increases to be more similar - right now, they look a little different and I'd do the M1 so that they were more similar.  I think I'd also maybe add a few rounds of garter stitch, or do something different where the henley placket gets picked up.  It's a little distorted, and despite my picking up about a third more than the recommended placket stitches, I'd like it to lay flatter.

At any rate, knowing it will go off to be happily drooled (and other things) upon, it's an easy-care project and hopefully the new boy's folks will get a lot of wear out of it in the cooler season later this year.

All for now......