Violet

This is sweet little Violet, a 3-week old squirrel who was rescued after she fell out of a tree. She's wearing a tiny purple cast following the incident. I think she needs a little purple binkie to keep her warm and probably a tam and scarf to match. Now those would be quick knits!

The Spring 2012 Knitty Issue Has Finally Arrived

I eagerly await every issue of Knitty and finally, the Spring 2012 one has been posted. Mostly shawls, socks, and some sweaters. The piece pictured is called Petal, a sweet summer sweater that would flatter many different figures. The neckline makes this sweater perfect for warm weather as does the airy lace pattern. Its A-line structure lends a feminine touch, gently emphasizing the waisteline and subtlely flaring to ease the trasition to the hipline. And the sleeves can easily be made longer for those who like upper arm coverage (ahem, like me). For yarn, I'm thinking that Cotton Fleece by Brown Sheep would be a good choice. Or Covington, which is high on my list these days! Or Skinny Dyed by Blue Sky Alpaca. The choices are many!

Spring Knitting

It is such a beautiful, breezy Spring day and I can smell the lemon blossoms from the tree outside my window. With the chill still in the air, I am encouraged to finish this Lace Cotton Ponchette as soon as possible. It is such an easy knit with half of it in garter stitch and the other half in a simple eyelet stitch. But mindless as it may be, it is a lot of knitting! It measures 25" from the tip of the points along the bottom to the top edge and it will be at least 53" wide. I'm just starting my third skein of Covington (a beautiful mercerized cotton with a subtle sheen) at 184 yds. per skein so this piece will take at least 5, if not 6 skeins in total. Like I said, it's a lot of knitting!

Knitting at the Movies

No, I don't ordinarily knit at the movies (1) because my hands are full of popcorn and (2) because it's dark! I don't look at my knitting much, but I find that the occasional glances down are necessary. What brings this all to mind is accompanying my granddaughter's 3rd grade class to see Lorax on Friday. Friday was pj day and all the little chickies were in flannel. The girls had done some face painting and they all looked like kittens. This was an astoundingly calm and well-behaved class which was not what I had envisioned. When I asked Viv if grandpa could buy her some popcorn, she said no, because it wouldn't be fair to the rest of the class. (What?!#) I snuck her a couple of handfuls and no one was worse off because of it. When she'd put her little braided head on my shoulder, it was as if a hummingbird had landed. I didn't breathe or move, savoring the sweet moment. So I couldn't have knitted, even if I had brought my project with me. I do have my priorities straight.

Jeweled Cowl

I loved knitting every stitch of this silk cowl and placing every bronze bead! The yarn is 100% silk, hand-dyed by Blue Ridge yarns and the beads are from Beadology in Huntington Beach. Not all beads are made the same. Originally, I started out using a non-metallic bead and many of them I couldn't use because the holes were too small. This was a laborious exercise...trying each bead until I found one that slipped on. When I found Beadology's bronze beads at the Tuscon show, I frogged the cowl and started over with my new beads. Every one fit. I'm not sure if this is because metallic beads lend themselves to precision more than glass, or because of the quality factor. Perhaps it's a little bit of both. The beads I used are "Miyuki Seed Beads", 6's. They cost $9.50 a tube (much pricier than the glass beads) and I used just about the whole tube. Well worth it, given the caliber of the piece.

It is very difficult to capture this beautiful piece (especially with my weak photography skills!) so if you're around this weekend, do stop by a take a gander. The piece is elegant, inspiring, and very wearable (i.e., not heavy even given the beads).

Knitting with Beads

Looking over the last few entries, I was surprised to see that two of my most recent projects are knitted with beads. And I have just finished this pattern, my third. I did go to the Bead Show in Tucson, but all these projects were either completed or underway by the time I left on February 3rd. Isn't it funny how we steadfastedly head in a particular direction unconsciously and it's only by looking back that we see a theme? Think of that statement beyond knitting! So I guess we need to look back now and then to see what we're up to and where we are heading...unknowingly.

I am never bored with knitting, but lately I've had a spring fever type feeling...waiting for the next new thing. It's time. I just don't know what it is. When I was in Tucson, the idea of mixed media knitting was most intriguing to me. I experimented with wire lace, beads, findings, etc. and was filled with energy and awe over new ideas. Here's a couple of samples of what I did.

The thing is, this embellishing was on free form knitting and free form knitting falls within the "art" category and not necessarily the "wearable" category, so I am trying to apply these new thoughts to every day pieces. Aha, that's it!. That's what's hatching!

P.S. Aside from looking back, it's also a good idea to just write when things aren't clear. Ah, how we learn and relearn the same lessons throughout our lives.

Way to start a morning!

Ah! A warm fire and a cup of dark coffee. The Tucson bead show ended yesterday and we're relaxing before we hit the road. Our beloved San Diego is 6 hours away with David & Scout waiting in the window for me. That's as cozy a thought as the fire warming toes! Judipatuti's bead mats, thread catchers, and totes were a smash. Irresistible to most! We'll have them in the shop so you can see what all the buzz is about! As for me I am inspired with the idea of multimedia, free form knitting. It all came together for me at the show and it is very exciting!