Crazy for Cowls

I apologize for it being so long since my last post. Grad school means the blogging is just not happening much. I am keeping my Ravelry up-to-date, though. I'm going to try to get caught up with posting FOs over the next week or two - I confess that I feel the pressure of being out of date!

Early in 2009, I knit a bunch of cowls in quick succession. Mostly as gifts, but I kept one, maybe two. I really enjoyed knitting cowls and foresee many of these in my future when the cold months roll around again.



1. Lichen Cowl by Lauren Weinhold in Crown Mountain Farms Sock Hop in the San Francisco colorway
2. Spiral Cowl by Keri McKiernan in Madelinetosh Pastoral in Nocturne (my favorite - the combination of the yarn and pattern is wonderful to wear)
3. Herringbone Cowl by Lauren Osborne in Sundara Yarn Aran Silky Merino in Charcoal over Blue Lagoon
4. Cowl'd and Frosty Morning by Kelly Herdrich in Malabrigo Yarn Chunky in Paris Night colorway
5. Baby Camel Cowl by Sonya Philip in Malabrigo Yarn Chunky in Tuareg colorway
6. Dolores Park Cowl by Parikha Mehta in Malabrigo Yarn Chunky in Burgundy

Lace Inspiration version 2

Do you remember this? (My post from June 2007 about how much I wanted to knit lace, and the shawls knit by others that were inspiring me to take the plunge.)

Welcome to January 2009:



1.Lace & Rhodedendron, 2. Fade Away, 3. Tuscany Shawl Detail, 4. Lace Leaf, 5. Shetland Triangle Detail, 6. Falling Leaves Shawl, 7. Winding Road, 8. Folded, 9. Diamonds

These are the shawls I've knit since June 2007. (Okay, Juno Regina is still a WIP). Next month will mark three years since I started knitting, and I'm pretty pleased to see myself accomplishing what I set out to learn to do and to create.

2008 in Review

1.Strawberry Hat, adult size, 2. Finished Kimono Shawl, 3. In the Breeze, 4. Tuscany Back, 5. Lace Leaf Back, 6. Sampler Baby Blanket, 7. Shetland Tied, 8. Draped, 9. Hat from Above, 10. Scrunchable Scarf, 11. A Happy Pair, 12. Pro Bono Handspun Hat, 13. Sidekick Again, 14. Pacific Waves, 15. Winding Road, 16. Shower Gift, 17. Juno Regina - one end down, 18. Finis!, 19. Koolhaas Again, 20. Alpaca Silk Cowl, 21. Stockinette Cowl, 22. Turn a Square Again, 23. Green & Grey Turn a Square, 24. Ribbing, 25. Scarf & Hat Set

It seems that the theme of my knitting year was lace and then some hats too. Looking back on my knitting goals for 2008, I'm happy to say that I have indeed knit lace triangles, designed and shared/published my first pattern, and did knit quite a bit from my stash.

My other big first of 2008 was learning to spin. Sadly, I haven't really maintained it since taking the classes. I borrowed a wheel from my knitting mentor, but I'm having trouble getting it to work, and with my second quarter of grad school just a few days away, it'll be three months before I have time to give it a try again.

As for my plans to knit from stash, I have also stashed quite a bit this year (but I am knitting from it, see?):



1. Burnt Cranberry, 2. Three Skeins, 3. Delicious, 4. 10 Skeins, 5. Crown Mountain Sock Hop Handspun Yarn, 6. Indigo-Dyed Super Sock Yarn, 7. Stacked, 8. Silky Wool, 9. Stonechat, 10. Indiecita, 11. Silk Lace, 12. Midnight Meadows, 13. Three Skeins, 14. Fingering Silky Merino, 15. Squoosh Dewberry, 16. Nocturne, 17. Silk Lace, 18. MadTosh Sock, 19. Lichen, 20. Norway Spruce, 21. Faubourg, 22. Gothic Rose, 23. Siren Two Sock Yarn, 24. Malabrigo, 25. Paris Night

On the yarn front, I've continued in the Sundara Seasons Club and have added the Madelinetosh Magnolia Society Club. I really enjoy the hand-dyed yarns and the surprise of packages in the mail. I also bought a bunch of handspun to knit with, and am finally get some projects finished with it. I stashed a bunch of Malabrigo Silky when the factory had a fire this summer, which I have yet to knit with.

Knitting goals for 2009:

• Knit a sweater (baby sweaters would count, but I have one in mind for me)
• Get the wheel working and do some spinning
• Stranded knitting (perhaps from some of that indie-dyed sock yarn)
  
• Share/publish another pattern or two
• Mainly, find time to knit while tackling four quarters of graduate school

I'm also looking forward to a class with Elsebeth Lavold at Madrona Fiber Arts in February and Nancy Bush at the Nordic Knitting Festival in March.

What are your knitting plans/dreams for 2009?

Great Feather & Fan Shawl Project of 2008

Seeing as today is the last day of 2008, I decided I really needed to get this shawl photographed and posted to the blog.



Pattern: Pacific Waves Shawl by Danielle Miner
Yarn: Sundara Aran Silky Merino in Charcoal over Blue Lagoon
Needles: US size 10 / 6 mm
On Ravelry

I originally started this shawl in Crown Mountain Sock Hop, but I didn't like how it knit up. Re-done in Sundara Aran Silky Merino in Charcoal over Blue Lagoon gave me pretty much exactly the shawl I wanted. The yarn is gorgeous, soft, and warm. And the color, totally delicious.



I was so delighted when I finished it that I started wearing it every where even though I hadn't blocked it. I think I've decided I like it as it is. I wouldn't mind if the scalloped edges would lay a little flatter, but I think blocking would stretch it out too much and make it much too large for me.



The other thing I really love about this pattern in the L-shape. There is a nice point that hangs down the back, but generous arms that lay across the front too. No slipping or bunching. I'm going to work on turning some of my favorite patterns into L-shaped shawls, I think.



A big winner in my book.

Knitting Calendar

And now for something completely different. I've turned some of my knitting photography into a calendar that is available on my CafePress store. A few of my favorite shots:





I apologize that it is so close to the new year - typically I make my calendars by the beginning of November - but the demands of grad school meant that I couldn't get to it until my break started. I plan to make greeting cards with the same images, but it may be spring break before I can really get to them.

Xmas Knitting

A series of snowstorms has swept through Seattle during the last two weeks. Since the city isn't well equipped in the ways of plows, and I have a lot of anxiety about driving in the snow (due to a near miss two years ago), I haven't been able to mail Xmas knitting packages yet. However, I have been able to finish a slew of small projects. I'm taking a risk that my family might see this before they get their mail, but I don't think they really read my blog. So, hats for three generations: my father, brother, and nephew.



Pattern: Koolhaas by Jared Flood (pictured right)
Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca in Peat Mix
Needles: US size 6 & 8
On Ravelry

I love how this hat looks, but found the knitting to be a little fiddly, with all of the cable crosses. I was not able to master knitting without a cable needle, and hope to if I knit this again.

Pattern: Turn A Square by Jared Flood (pictured center)
Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca in Peat Mix and Charcoal Mix colorways, held doubled
Needles: US size 10 / 6.0 mm (9 / 5.5 mm for ribbing)
On Ravelry

I really like this pattern, as you'll see. I like knitting doubled; it goes very quickly and makes a warmer hat. The two colors are both dark and that makes the striping very subtle.

Pattern: Pro Bono by Angelina Fagan (pictured left)
Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca in Peat Mix and Charcoal Mix colorways, held doubled
Needles: US size 9 / 5.5 mm
On Ravelry

Another Pro Bono, a simple and quick ribbed hat that can expand with a growing head. I like this pattern but think it's just too long. I'm hoping the hat can be warn with the brim turned up because I really don't feel like ripping out and shortening this hat before I can actually put it in the mail.



Pattern: Darkside Cowl by Sarah Fama
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk in Navy
Needles: US size 7 / 4.5 mm
On Ravelry

I knit a quick cowl for my SIL. This is a nice ribbed pattern which gives the cowl some structure. The yarn is soft, however, just like the Ultra Alpaca, I found it to be sheddy. Is all alpaca yarn like this? Because I'm not too fond of the shedding.



Pattern: Kim's Hats by Kim Hamlin
Yarn: Filatura Di Crosa 127 Print in 33 - Dark Grey
Needles: US 6 & 7
on Ravelry

I knit the hat to go with the garter-stitch scarf my partner knit for our friend Chris. The yarn struck me as a bit scratchy and I had a little trouble getting into the project (I wanted to make it warmer but did not have enough yarn), but once I finally got it going, I really like the project. It was really fun to have the splashes of color show up in seemingly random fashion as I knit - and no pooling! This took a little bit over one skein of yarn.

I've been knitting somethings for myself, too, but I'll wait to finish before posting more.

A Baby Shower Set

I'm hoping to get caught up on my knitblogging during my winter break from school and work, although a couple FOs still need photoshoots. In any case, a little set for a baby shower:



Hat Pattern: Baby Watchcap by Nikol Lohr
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Mediumweight in Lagoon
Needles: US size 4 / 3.5 mm
on Ravelry

I knit with smaller yarn and needles than the pattern called for. I swatched in the 3x3 rib and found gauge based on an average of the swatch relaxed and stretched fully out. I cast on 90 stitches and added a few extra plain knit/purl rows during the early decrease rows to compensate for the thinner yarn.

Mitten Pattern: Baby Mittens by Malin Nilsson
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Mediumweight in Lagoon
Needles: US size 2.5 / 3.0 mm
on Ravelry

My gauge was different from the pattern, so I CO 26 stitches for the ribbing and increased to 33 stitches for the hand.

Both were quick to knit up and so very cute when done. The STR is a good yarn choice. I like the Baby Watchcap pattern, because the ribbing can expand with a growing baby head, making the hat longer wearing than many baby knits, and the Baby Mittens are very cute.

Project Spectrum - Water

Of all the elements, I connect most with Earth - but when it comes to Project Spectrum, Water blows the others away. First, clearly I like taking pictures of water:



1. Wahkeena Falls, 2. Bridal Veil River, 3. Crescent Beach, 4. Cannon Beach, 5. Sea Stacks, 6. Haystack Rock, 7. Rain, 8. River Reflection, 9. River & Rocks, 10. Tidepools, 11. Imbolc Sunset, 12. Sunset over Puget Sound, 13. Hanakapi'ai Beach, 14. Sunset, 15. Sol Duc River, 16. Sea Stacks, 17. Sea Stacks, 18. Sea Stars, 19. Beach, 20. Deception Pass, 21. Deception Pass Eastward, 22. Kure Beach, NC, 23. Mt. Rainier Reflection, 24. Rainbow Falls, 25. Lake Crescent



1. Great Egret, 2. Clear Water, 3. 520 Bridge Reflection, 4. From the Depths, 5. Swimming Upstream, 6. Straits of Juan de Fuca, 7. Straits of Juan de Fuca Panorama, 8. Tidal Flats, 9. Sea Scape, 10. Northwest Sunset, 11. Rising Tide, 12. Sun on Water, 13. Sea Stack at Sunset, 14. Sea Stack near Neah Bay, 15. Brilliant Sunset, 16. Washington State Ferry, 17. Canoe at Sunset, 18. Reflection, 19. Sunrise, 20. Sunrise, 21. Reflection, 22. After Sunset, 23. Multnomah Falls, 24. Horsetail Falls, 25. Columbia River Gorge

And just as clearly, especially when it comes to knitting, I love the colors blue and purple:



1. Charcoal over Blue Lagoon, 2. Three Skeins, 3. Silky Wool, 4. Yarn and Leaves, 5. Needles and Leaves, 6. Tactile Fiber Arts Handspun, 7. Indigo-Dyed Super Sock Yarn, 8. Falling Leaves Lace, 9. Blueberry Hat, 10. Chevron Scarf Detail, 11. Chevron Scarf Folded, 12. Three Strands, 13. Blue Yarn Cake, 14. Purple Yarn Cake, 15. Knitted Utility Bags, 16. Oceanic Detail #2, 17. Lagoon, 18. Nodding Violet, 19. Side View 2, 20. Swatching for Aran-Style Bag, 21. Noro Kochoran, color #1, 22. Lavendar Bib, 23. Blue Varigated Bib, 24. Donegal Tweed, 25. Leaf Vine Baby Blanket



1. Furrows, 2. Squoosh Dewberry, 3. Juno Regina, 4. Juno Regina, 5. 2x2 Ribbing, 6. Shetland Tied, 7. Shetland Triangle Detail, 8. Yarn Cake, 9. Pale Sky Over Sugared Violet, 10. Sidekick Again, 11. Lace Leaf Back, 12. Center Seam, 13. Lace Leaf, 14. Knit Picks Shadow, Doubled, 15. Malabrigo Delight, 16. Diving Deeper, 17. Feather and Fan Lace, 18. River, 19. River, 20. 10 Skeins, 21. Twisted, 22. Curves, 23. Sock Hop - In the Skies, 24. Sock Hop - San Francisco, 25. Sock Hop - A Hard Day's Night

Water was the months of August and September, so I am quite behind in posting my pictures. But better late than never, say I.

Project Spectrum Air

I realized that I've been delinquent about posting the second half of Project Spectrum Elements here on The Potential of Yarn. We've already seen Fire and Earth. June and July were dedicated to the element of Air.



1. White Asters, 2. Seagull Riding the Thermals, 3. Rainbow at Sunset, 4. Clouds, 5. Salal Blossoms with Bee, 6. Dogwood, 7. Storm Clouds and Sun Breaks, 8. Chestnut Flower, 9. Storm Clouds, 10. White Cherry Tree, 11. Sunset Cloud, 12. View of the Olympic Penninsula, 13. White Cherry Blossoms, 14. Waxing Crescent Moon, 15. Tree & Sky, 16. White Clematis, 17. Sun Rays, 18. Sun & Sky, 19. White Dahlia, 20. Washington State Ferry, 21. Pali Ke Kua Beach Sunset, 22. White Dahlia, 23. Seagull, 24. White Rose, 25. Deception Pass



1. Sampler Baby Blanket, 2. 20 Finished Squares, 3. Silk Lace, 4. Romney, 5. My First Handspun, 6. Two Singles, 7. More of My Handspun!, 8. My Handspun!, 9. Yarn Cake, 10. Pale Sky Over Sugared Violet, 11. Winter Sky, 12. Sock Hop - You Babe, 13. Ripples, 14. Ripples 2, 15. Fade Away, 16. Scarf Folded, 17. Stitch Detail, 18. Gift Yarn, 19. Celtic Plait Scarf, 20. Celtic Plait Scarf, 21. Schewe Baby Alpaca yarn, 22. Embossed Twining Leaves Blanket Square, 23. Chain Links Cables, 24. Bjars Hitches Cables, 25. St. Brigid Swatch

One of the cool things that happened during PS Air was that I learned to spin, as I've already described in detail here. (Sadly, not much spinning since then, although I have stashed some lovely hand-dyed fibers). I'm happy to report that I did finish the Sampler Baby Blanket during PSE Air. I do still have a stack of 12 blanket squares left over, so there will eventually be a second baby blanket.

And, in personal news, I started grad school a few weeks ago. I am now find my knitting time cut back rather severely, so this blog will probably be fairly quiet until June 2010. I'll still post as time allows.

CO: Juno Regina

The Sundara Love Group on Ravelry (where I spend far too much time) is hosting a Lace-along, also being called a Knit-and-crochet-along, or KACAL (pronounced cackle). I decided to take advantage of the community support to give knitting with Silk Lace a try.



Pattern: Juno Regina by Miriam Felton
Yarn: Sundara Silk Lace in Black over Fuchsia
Needles: Addi Lace Turbos in US size 3 / 3.25 mm
On Ravelry

I swatched both US size 4 and US size 3 needles. I thought the 3s were just a bit tighter and neater while still allowing for a light, lacy fabric. I've found the silk lace a challenge to knit with - so tiny, so little give - but am getting the hang of it and love to stroke the fabric I've created so far.



I've already made a couple of mods. First, I'm knitting a garter stitch border rather than a seed stitch one. The seed stitch was way too fiddly with silk lace! Second, since I want a wider stole (as opposed to a scarf), I've knit six repeats of Chart 2 rather than four. This is giving me an extra four lace diamonds in width. I'm now at the point where the diamond pattern starts moving inward and columns of yarnovers start appearing from the outside in.



This is my first Miriam Felton design. I have several of her shawls in my queue and am very excited to finally be knitting one!