Knitting the basics

You guys! I've been knitting! And I have finally finished the Labor of Love project, my little brother's giant scarf. 1x1 ribbing forever and ever in black yarn.

Official FO photos will have to wait until I send it to my brother and he can model it and take some fancy pictures of himself to show you the full effect.

For now, it's back to knitting my handspun shawl. I'm almost finished with the second ball of yarn, and moving on to the third, which I'll use for a ribbed border. 

In Progress: Cable Cowl

I'm working on writing up a pattern for this cowl, because I think it's something other people might like to knit and wear! The shape itself is relatively simple (large rectangle), and the knitting is straightforward if you don't mind cables.  There will only be one seam to deal with in order to join the fabric into a circular cowl.

The three columns of cabled fabric make for a rich all-over texture with a hint of diagonal motion, and the variegated yarn adds some vertical interest to the largely horizontal orientation of the design. I think it will also look lovely in a solid color, maybe cream or gray to coordinate with winter coats.  This yarn is a fairly heavy worsted weight single, which means this version of the cowl will stand up inside a coat collar, but the pattern would also work for something lighter, maybe a luxury blend like angora or cashmere that would drape more softly.  The length and width could also be easily adjusted to allow for more wraps around the neck or a taller cowl.

It has been a great project for tv knitting, since it requires some concentration, but not a whole lot.  After just a few repeats, it starts to become pretty obvious when it's time for another cable crossing, and the cable rows line up across all three columns.

I'd love to have a test knitter try this out, but I'm also willing to make another version for myself to check and edit the written pattern.  Look for an FO post sometime in the next few weeks. What are you working on right now?

Dec/Jan FO update

Picture heavy post! These are the latest projects off my needles; some were secret holiday presents and others are the result of knitting up holiday gift yarn.

Puzzle Stripe Mitts

Circle Scarf with cables

Scallops Hat

Another infinity scarf in super happy rainbow colors

More to come soon....

Knitting with Handspun

This is the yarn I made with my wool-nylon-sparkle blended batts from Miss Bell UK.  They are all sport to worsted weight singles that have lovely color progressions (this green to purple to pink is my favorite!).

I improvised a simple pattern for a loose cowl.  There's a 3 stitch garter stitch border on each side with 30 stitches of plain stockinette in the middle.  Every 8 rows I added a little four lace row repeat in the stockinette portion for more texture (knitterly code coming right up): *k2tog, yo* to end on the right side, purl on the wrong side, *yo, k2tog* to end on the right side, purl on the wrong side.

I love how random stretches of color will pop up, like the yellow above in the middle of that sea of purple.  Mixed batts are full of surprises!

Then I made a garter stitch scarf, knit lengthwise in 200 stitch rows.  This batt spun up into even longer stretches of color, from blue to red to green to yellow, which means the finished scarf is like a mini rainbow.  I'll be adding these both to the shop after I get a few more photos this weekend!

*** A quick hello and a big welcome to any new readers who found your way here from my little ad on Violet's blog! I'm pleased as punch to be sponsoring that wonderful lady and her inspiring posts.  I hope you'll leave a comment and any links to your own online space :) ***

And don't forget to enter the giveaway

On and off the needles, plus a pattern!

You got a peek at some of my knitting in yesterday's treat photo, but I'm back to tell you more about what's currently on and off my knitting needles. It's been a slow few weeks for knitting projects (or maybe it just feels like time is moving very very slowly, so any knitting time I get doesn't stand out in my mind!). I finished a circle scarf requested by my friend Andrea, in Knit Picks Andean Silk, colorway Whisker.

The paired ribbed and cabled fabrics look nice together when the loop is doubled around the neck, and Andrea actually wore part of it up around her ears like a hood - another cute look I hadn't even thought of. This project used 4 skeins of yarn, and it's just about the right length. When spring break hits in just one more week, I'll be writing up this pattern (probably with a larger 6 skein variation, too) to submit to the Knit Picks Independent Designers Program hopefully for future publication - cross your fingers for me!

I've also been working on a second commission, a cowl and armwarmers set in off-white acrylic for a woman at my school.  I bound off the second armwarmer last night and just have to weave in the ends so I can deliver these warm goodies to her before winter is over. We've been having sunny weather the last few days, but I know more snow is just around the corner in March...

The pattern for these armwarmers, in case you're interested in making your own, is as follows:

Using your favorite worsted weight yarn, CO 40 sts and distribute evenly on 4 dpns for working in the round
Work 10 rounds in k1, p1 ribbing
Switch to stockinette stitch and work 8 rounds
P all sts for 1 round
[Work four rounds in stockinette and one in all purl sts]
Repeat the part in brackets until the armwarmers are approximately 2.5 inches shorter than final desired length
Work 8 rounds in stockinette
Work 10 rounds in k1, p1 ribbing
BO all sts and weave in ends.

That's it. Super simple but cute and warm :)

There's one more project on my needles right now, but it is so awesome that it deserves its own post. Look out for that later this week! What's on your needles right now?

The power of handmade

This last week has been a stressful one for me.  I'm waiting (remarkably patiently, which will surprise those of you who know me well) for the results of a biopsy that was taken in a sort of hurried fashion on Wednesday.  The physical recovery is not a big deal, managed entirely by Tylenol. I got to take my miniature bandaid off today, and only a tiny yellowing bruise and healed nick mark the spot.  Mentally and emotionally, though, the waiting is taking a huge toll on me - I can't concentrate on much, whether it's a conversation, a tv show, or a novel, and you can just forget about my accomplishing any serious work for school! Instead, I've spent the weekend throwing myself into small tasks that are easily and quickly accomplished, and the power of handmade things has been surprisingly sustaining.

homemade bread

On Saturday, I made a loaf of bread, and I've been eating it slowly: buttered toast, cheese on toast, mini pizzas.  I really enjoyed my Saturday afternoon of knitting with my Monday night knitting ladies.  We took over the back table at a yarn shop, ate chocolate cupcakes with minty pink frosting, and laughed a lot.  Being in a room full of creativity and enthusiasm for yarn and projects was energizing.

earrings by Jewls (Etsy) and cowl by dear friend Jessica

On Sunday I got dressed with the conscious intention of wearing handmade bits and bobs.  Walking through the snow to Mass, catching glimpses of my pretty pink and purple cowl in my peripheral vision, knowing that I was wearing cute earrings someone fashioned by hand, and enjoying the squishy warmth of my good luck red lace socks, I actually felt surrounded by the care that went into the making of my clothing.  By the way, the sermon was phenomenal and something I really needed to hear right now in the midst of my struggle with flagging hope and a crisis of trust.  One line from Isaiah mentioned that we are "made glorious" in the sight of the Lord, and I thought, "God does crafts, too." (I'll admit that's a bit of an atypical interpretation, but it's what I heard.)

my "good luck" socks, handknit in Nancy Bush's Child's Shell Sock pattern

All you crafters know that handmade isn't just about appreciating the careful and love-imbued work of others; it's all about creating.  The decision to channel my nervous energy and all my apprehension into a new design that's been clanging around in my head for a while was one of the best choices I've ever made.

The two-row stripes and the solid brown paired with a color-changing Noro provide just enough of a distraction from obsessively reading everything the internet has to say about biopsies and their potential results.  I'm normally all about the process of knitting, and the feel of the yarn and the fun of seeing a pattern emerge is more important to me than having a finished object to wear.  However, this project is driven by the perfect blend of "I want to knit that" and "I want to wear that".  My Ravelry project page labels this sweater as "Obsession," but it needs a better name, something to reflect its healing and comforting power, the hope it represents that by the time I have my results I'll have a finished sweater to wear in celebration of good news.  And I can't tell you how grateful I am that trying to think of a name for a sweater seems like a more pressing problem right now than worrying about when my phone will ring.

I love the power of handmade.

[ETA: I had just posted this, when I went over to Cosy's blog and followed her link to this beautifully written piece, which expresses succinctly and truthfully just what I am trying to talk about above. Please go read.]

A pile of hats and other things

Last chance to enter the giveaway for a $25 gift certificate to the Perknitious shop! Comments close for the drawing at noon today...

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Mid-weekly update on works in progress or fresh off the needles:

Recently finished, a Pesco-vegetarian beanie in great purple wool-mohair from my fall swap partner, Lisa (hi, Lisa!)

A second acorn hat in Jared Flood's Shelter (color Button Jar)

Commissions in progress, to be added to the shop very shortly.

What's on your needles or in your craft basket?

Atlanta-bound

This weekend is the big annual US conference for scholars in my field, so I'm getting on a flight to Atlanta for a few days of listening to papers, catching up with old friends, and exploring a new city.  Of course I'm hoping to find a yarn shop, but if that doesn't work out I'll settle for touring the World of Coca-Cola and checking out this amazing looking basilica that's just a couple of blocks from my hotel.

In recent knitting news, I finished this project:

 L-R, Knit Picks Cotlin in Violet, Surf, and Planetarium

 held together for a custom order cowl

in a simple but pretty checkerboard pattern

Friday link love for your weekend enjoyment:

***Tutorial for DIY yarn ornaments - what a great way to use up those leftovers.

image source

***Rosette headband in fuchsia (I own this one <3! There are more in the Coco Rose Couture shop).

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***Adorable stationery from the Whimsy Whimsical shop.

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Hopefully I'll have pictures to share when I get back!

Happy weekend and happy knitting :)

I love my stylish friends!

Molly, who blogs over at Requies, completed her Laura Cowl in record time.

And then she did an amazing photo shoot out in all the fall leaves!

I really love it in the cream/white, and it looks so great with that red coat :) Thanks, Molly, for sharing your pictures!

FO: Flower pin, more Laura cowls

Katie very kindly sent a picture of herself styling her flower pin - look how cute!

I've been accepted into a great craft fair on November 11, and I'm currently working on building up a little bit more inventory to take with me. Here's my stack of Laura Cowls in progress (raspberry, claret, pine, and grey marble).

At the urging of N, I picked up some dishtowels at Marshalls yesterday, to make those old-style hanging dishtowel things. I'm sure that's very descriptive and you know exactly what I'm talking about. Here's an example from another Etsy seller.  Any suggestions for other items that you think would be welcome this holiday season?

This particular craft fair is really exciting because sellers donate a percentage of their profits to Esperanza Community Services, a group dedicated to providing "instruction and services to people with disabilities to reach their fullest potential toward a productive and independent life in the community."  One of the great components of their programming is a dedication to the arts, and they have an art school that helps students with everything from expressing their creativity to team work to art therapy. I'm really looking forward to knowing that my sales can contribute to something like this. If you're in the Chicago area, I'd encourage you to come out to the fair! I'll give more details about time and location closer to the time.

And last but not least, here is a nearly-finished object, currently taking its turn in the blocking sink. I'll take some more photos when it's laid out and when it dries - the color goes really well with my new hair (get ready for a surprise!)

Happy weekend :)

Laura Cowl and giveaway!

First off, congrats to Molly, the winner of the Laura Cowl pattern! The pdf will be on its way to your inbox shortly :)

Speaking of the pdf, every knitter can now get his or her own copy for just $2 via my Ravelry pattern shop or in the Perknitious Etsy shop.

Here are a few more of the pattern specs:

An original Perknitious design, this close-fitting, cabled cowl knits up quickly in your favorite shade of super bulky yarn on size 15 (10 mm) needles. Three buttons (or more, if you choose) allow a number of variations for closing and wearing the cowl, from single-buttoned shoulder warmer to three-buttoned slouchy cowl. It is named in honor of some of my fabulous Laura-friends, but it would make a nice gift for any of your loved ones, or for yourself! 
The pattern download is a 3-page pdf file with color pictures, and provides both written instructions and a chart for your convenience.

Skills required - 
knit, purl, cable, single crochet, sewing on buttons

Materials needed - 
Yarn: 1 skein (108 yards / 98 meters) Lion Brand Wool-Ease, Thick & Quick, or your favorite super bulky weight yarn 
Needles: US 15 (10mm) knitting needles, straights or circular 
Cable needle 
Crochet hook, size J or larger for finishing 
Notions: Embroidery floss in a color of your choice (match or contrast!) 
3 buttons, approx. 1 inch in diameter (you can use more buttons if you like) 
Yarn needle 
Scissors

Many many thanks to the lovely Laura L., who kindly agreed to model her namesake cowl for a little photoshoot yesterday. Isn't she just too stinkin' cute?
Happy Friday!