Archives for January 2012

VK Live was so much fun yesterday that I signed up for a class for today. I'm taking "Teach Classes that Rock" with Trisha Malcolm. I've taught a fair amount in the past, but one can always improve.

Maybe I can try out some of the new skills that I learn from Trisha when I teach my next class. I'm scheduled to teach at Fibre Space in Alexandria, VA on Saturday, March 10th. This will be my second time teaching at Fiber Space and I am really looking forward to going back to one of my favorite LYS's. Fiber Space is everything a yarn store should be – shelves bursting with exceptionally beautiful yarns; friendly, knowledgeable staff; space to hang out and knit; and lots and lots of wonderful classes. I wish I lived closer.

This time I'm teaching a class on stranded colorwork. You'll learn how to knit with 2 yarns at a time, how to manage tension, how to work a Latvian braid, how to read a colorwork chart and how to knit corrugated ribbing. You'll learn that colorwork isn't so hard once you know a few tricks. For more information go to the Fibre Space website.

Speaking of colorwork, I've got another new pattern – Mod.

These colorwork mittens start with a Latvian braid and feature a bold geometric pattern reminiscent of the mod textile patterns of the 1960's. The colors are reversed on the palms for added interest.

I used Cascade 220 Sport for these mittens – this has become a go-to colorwork yarn for me because of the range of colors and the reasonable price.

Mod

Sizes: S[M, L] Shown is size M

Finished Measurements: 7.5[8.5, 9.5]” around at palm and cuff, 9.5[9.5, 11]” long overall

Yarn: Cascade 220 Sport, 100% Peruvian Highland Wool, 164 yds (150m) per 1.75 oz (50g) skein.

Color A: #7825 Orange Sherbet, 1 skein
Color B: #8012 Doeskin Heather, 1 skein
The sample pair used 35g (115 yds) of color A and 33g (109 yds) of color B.

Needles: one set US 2(2.75mm) DPN’s or size to obtain gauge

Gauge: 29 sts & 36 rows = 4” (10 cm) in Body Chart (see page 3) – always take the time to check gauge

Other Materials: Place markers, Tapestry Needle, Scrap Yarn

Price: $6.00 US

Thank you to my test knitters; Monika, Regina, Jen, Joan, Maria & Deirdre

Thank you for all of your sweet comments and birthday wishes for S&I. Yesterday was a busy day for both girls, so most of the celebrations will take place this weekend.

Speaking of this weekend, are you going to VK Live? I'll be there on Sunday. I've been asked to join a panel discussion, "When Knitting Becomes a Career" moderated by Melanie Falick . The group of participants has me awe: Norah Gaughan, Betsy Perry, Debbie Stoller (um, hello, she has a wikipedia entry), Trisha Malcolm, Laura Zander, Kristy McGowan, Erin Slonaker and me. Me? Seriously? Among that list? Yipes! If you're around on Sunday afternoon, stop by at the upstairs fashion show stage area at 3:00. It will be helpful to see friendly faces in the crowd.

Today I'm releasing another pattern that was exclusive to a yarn club until now. I originally designed Hecate for the Shakespeare in Lace October shipment. This is the second time I've designed for this Wooly Wonka club, and I like working with Anne and her yarns so much I've signed on for a third year – I'll be creating a sock design this time. I'm also collaborating with Anne on a special project for April, which happens to coincide with a certain birthday-ending-in-zero of mine.

Now let's get back to Hecate. This two color triangular shawl is worked from the center back down. A simple, single color lace pattern gives way to gently curving, lacy stripes then onto a solid color openwork lace pattern and finally ending with a picot bind-off. This is one of those patterns that works well in all sorts of combinations. Two of my test knitters, Karen and Raquel made Hecate in other yarns & colors to make this point.

Karen's green version:

Raquel's brown and aqua:

Hecate

Size: One Size

Finished Measurements: 60” across top edge, 30” from top edge to bottom point

Yarn: Wooly Wonka Fibers Brigit Sock, 100% Australian Merino, 435 yards/398m per 100 g skein,
MC: Cauldron, 1 skein (the sample project used about 375 yards)
CC: Scale of Dragon, 1 skein (the sample project used about 240 yards)

Needles: US 7 (4.5mm) 32” circular needle or size to obtain gauge

Gauge: 17 sts & 30 rows in simple lace pattern (see notes) – blocked, always take the time to check gauge

Other Materials: Scrap Yarn, Place Markers (PM), tapestry needle

Price: $6.50

Today is the first day that I am the mother of three adults.

My. Babies. Are. Eighteen. EIGHTEEN!

Not possible.

They were just. . .

and

But there you have it. What mothers and fathers and grandmothers and grandfathers and aunts and uncles will tell you is true. It goes by in the blink of an eye.

And they grow into beautiful, strong, smart, creative young women who challenge you and surprise you and make you laugh and make you want to scream. But mostly they make you so very, very proud that they are yours and ready to take on the world.

And as much fun as it is to look back at just how young we all once were. . .

. . . it is just as much fun to dream about the future and where they will go next.

 

Happy New Year and thank you for all of your kindness & support in 2011! It was a pleasure to meet some of my readers this year at teaching events. I look forward to lots more designing and teaching in 2012.

It has been a busy month here at Through the Loops, along with the usual holiday craziness we've had IJK's college applications to finish (she's done, now the waiting begins), Sofie's college acceptance (she applied early decision and was admitted to her first choice school), along with lots of new design work. On New Year's Day the first clue for the 2012 Mystery Sock was sent out. I'm excited to release the second clue on Sunday. The leg is where the sock really starts to come together.

While we're waiting for the next clue, I want to show you a new pattern I've just released. I designed the Asteroidea hat last summer for the 2011 Tanis Fiber Arts yarn club. (Check out that link, it's to the 2012 club and the list of designers is amazing. I'm humbled that Tanis asked me to design again.) Since Asteroidea is no longer exclusive to the club, it is now available to everyone.

If you’re looking for something to do while waiting for the next Mystery Sock clue, give this sweet fingering weight hat a try! The six row stitch pattern in a combination of cables and lace ensures that the knitting never gets boring. The patterns come together at the top to create a six pointed star – or is it a six petaled flower? You decide.

Tanis's yarns are a designers dream to work with. She is a master of the sort of rich saturated color that I adore and her base yarns are so lovely to knit with that the projects are always hard to put down. The cranberry yarn that she sent for this design is a gorgeously complex color. Go check out all of her spectacular colors on her website.

Asteroidea (Rav Link)

Size: Adult S[Adult L] Shown in size S

Measurements: 17[18.5]” At brim relaxed (will stretch to fit 21.5[23]”), 9.75[11]” from cast on edge to top

Yarn: Tanis Fiber Arts Blue Label Fingering Weight; 80 % Superwash Merino/20% Nylon; 420 yards/385m per 4oz/115g skein, color: Cranberry 1[1] skein

Needles: One set of 5 US 5/3.75mm DPN’s
One 16” US 7/4.5mm circular needle or size to obtain gauge
One Set of 5 US 7/4.5mm DPN’s or size to obtain gauge

Gauge: 28 sts and 36 rows = 4”/10 cm in lace pattern on larger needles, blocked Always take the time to check gauge!

Other Materials: Tapestry Needle, Cable Needle(CN), Stitch Markers

Price: $6.00 US

Thank you to test knitters Amy, Ana, Fiona, Kelly & Karen!!