Product Review: KA High Quality Bamboo Needles

I'm using the KA High Quality Bamboo Needles in size 0US/2.0mm instead of my usual KnitPicks dpns on my latest pair of socks and I really like them. The Brittany size 0's that I used in the past were too weak to pick up and knit the wraps on my shortrow heel. I snapped one on the first sock I knit with them. But these KA's are tough. Almost no bending, even on the k2tog's. They're made in Japan of aged bamboo and I guess that makes all the difference.


Here's a picture of the points for comparison. The KA's are a little blunter but sometimes that's a good thing. The KnitPicks are capable of drawing blood and are very slippery. I dropped one while I was sitting on a straw bale at the Fort Frederick Market Fair and it took Doug and I about five minutes to find it. The legendary needle in the haystack. The KA's stay in my knitting and in my hand but aren't grabby like some wood or bamboo needles. They have a smooth finish and feel good in my hand.

Oh I have been to Ludlow Fair and left my necktie God knows where...

I've always loved that poem by A. E. Houseman. I'm going to the fair too. The Washington County Ag Expo. It doesn't sound quite as exciting, does it? I just found the URL to enter exhibits online. Here it is:

https://www.blueribbonfair.com/washingtoncountymd/

Any readers in Washington County, Maryland who want to enter projects in the Ag Expo should goes to that URL immediately and register. It's free and the deadline is June 20th.

I just entered my Icarus Shawl...



a pair of socks made with Tofutsies yarn with a stockingette foot, short row heel and toe and a feather and fan leg...


And a Ukranian Egg.


Wish me luck!

Seasonal knitting

It's sunny and warm in Western MD this week. I love taking breaks to visit the garden --I just finished a delicious salad with lettuce, onions and chives from the garden. I have a garden bench under the pine tree that I like to sit on and knit. If it's too hot, I can sit in a chair on the patio. Since I like fresh air and being warm, this is ideal.

I'm working on the Namaste Tank, which is a cotton blend. Many people tell me they don' t knit much when it gets warm. I just change my knitting habits a bit. Small projects are great--socks, bags, baby clothes (I'm also working on a baby hat for Lauren, who's expecting).

It's a good time to swatch and see what those wintery yarns want to be. I like to experiment with stitch patterns and techniques while I am playing with yarn.

I needle felted a small patch with the Artfelt, then decided it was too blah, so I applied a bit more wool with the felting needle. Then, what to do with it? I decided to pick up stitches around the edge after applying a blanket stitch around it. I single crocheted one round, then picked up knitting stitches and played with short rows and yarn colors. Here's what I have so far. I have bound off and have this hanging from the light switch, covering a ding in the wall.

Happy Mother's Day!

If you are a mother, I hope your day is great and that you are properly celebrated. I live in the same city as my mother, so I will shortly run across town (4 miles) to get her for our MD celebration. Our family celebrates everything with meals (including just being able to eat three of them every day!) so we will eat fresh dungeness crab and artichokes from the farmer's market. I was taking and giving workshops yesterday so after I picked up the crab I had Mitch drop me at the farmer's market and I ran (literally) to the stand with the artichokes, purchased 6 and ran back to be picked up when he came around the block. He arrived just as I did. No time for any of my usual shopping.

I made a lovely pear upside down cake (from scratch). Unfortunately, I dropped it so it isn't much to look at!

I have been knitting a gift for Mom all week. It isn't much and I've felt kind of guilty because I have so much other knitting I need to do, but it was a gift I had committed to myself to make for her so I didn't want to put it off any longer (I thought I would do it for Christmas). I will post pictures after she opens her gift.

This morning I woke up earlier than usual for a Sunday and got in a half hour or 45 minutes of knitting on the project I put aside to do the gift knitting. This is a pattern we hope to release soon, and although I thought it was nearly finished, I didn't like how the shaping was going so I ripped back to the armholes and have redone one of the fronts and am now going on the back. I'm dying to get to the sleeves!

I've had some time to think about some of the great conversations I had at Kirkridge. We had more than one conversation about audio books. I finished Heat by Bill Buford on the return flight on Monday. I loved it! It was a great book to listen to; listening to books has been a real boon to me as I get bored when I'm knitting, but don't always want to be watching TV. It has helped me put down my other work and pick up my knitting as I'm excited by getting to listen to my book! Since I am usually knitting I don't get to read as much as I used to so it is really satisfying me.I met our mother, Jane, to get a pedicure/manicure on Wednesday after teaching. She turned over her mp3 player so I can set it up for audible books (www.audible.com). I pulled it out of my purse later on and saw that she had made a cover for it out of Fixation. It is pictured with mine, which is the smallest version of the Fiesta Bag. I love my cover and offered to make one for my husband; he purchased a leather cover instead.

I started our weekend at Kirkridge working on Namaste Tank. I must admit that I reknit the neckline/armhole four times before getting it right. I could blame it on being tired from flying East, but the reality is that I don't always get it right the first time! The first time I forgot to slip the first stitch on every row. I told myself (you know those little internal conversations you have?) it wouldn't make a difference, but it made the armholes and neckline too stretchy. The next two times I didn't like the neck bind off--back to the beginning. The last time I quit talking and focused and got the neckline and armholes I had originally intended. It isn't too late to get in on this online workshop; knitting will start mid-May and we'll finish so we can all wear it for the Fourth of July!

More Hats

I started to post about my hats, then got distracted by my new yarn. These are the projects I've been working on while my life has been too disrupted with remodeling to really concentrate on bigger things. Called the Cinchero Hat, this is adapted from an article (monograph?) done by a cultural anthropologist on a hat made in southern Peru. I loved the whole concept--documenting a skill that is being lost as the elders die--but the original is way too much work, so I adapted it to better suit the American knitter.

There are very cool techniques in the bottom scallop: knitting a two-color chain and knitting backwards. Once you learn how to do both of them it it is really fun to do and a touch you don't usually see. I love the techniques so will probably do an online tutorial when I find the time. My hats are done from Malabrigo worsted in two colors (sealing wax is the red, I don't know what the other one is because Susan had already wound it into a ball and I didn't get the ball band). From the two skeins I got from Susan I've knit two hats plus class samples, and I still have yarn left. I'm going to scrounge some more scraps and I hope to get one more hat to make for a friend--she has lots of hair so I need to make a larger size than either of my other samples. If you've not tried this yarn it is wonderfully soft and the colors are too wonderful to describe--solid, but with constant variations from the kettle-dyeing. Malabrigo is from Uruguay. I've also done the hat in Karaoke for Southwest Trading and the pattern is also in their Karaoke Hat Collection.

Catching Up

I got another package! No yarn, but Susan sent me a name card made in Bejing. I don't know if she was thinking about it when she got it, but I have a bulletin board in my office (currently waiting to be rehung) that is a collage of name things for my husband and me. He has a lot more name cards than I do because he's been doing speeches and presentations longer than I have, but I'm working on it. This will be a nice addition to my side of the board and give me a little more presence. I have a couple of headlines that use his name. While some of you may have unpleasant memories of Hurricane Mitch, he is quite proud of it and especially the huge typeface used in the headlines! Jill doesn't get used that often.

I'm still unpacking my office (oh yeah, and the reast of the house), and awaiting a new desk and cabinet, but I'm getting there. Nothing is as exciting as starting a new project so I am working on a new tank top for an online workshop this summer. This is the 2007 version of the scented yarn from Skacel called Namaste; the scent is sandlewood which I love and is very subtle. I love the swatch color (641), but the sample color (642) is very fresh feeling.

I have a special place in our newly remodeled living room for my knitting. Turns out my spouse really doesn't love having knitting projects piled in the living room so he bought me this fancy leather box that slides under the coffee table. Now I have to train myself to use it as I am much more inclined to just drop my knitting on the floor and walk away. We are going to try to live like grownups. We still haven't resolved what to do with magazines, but that should be less of a problem as the remodeling ends I am letting every single home decor magazine I've been getting for the past three years lapse! Maybe I'll have time to look at knitting magazines again.

When I was in my early 40s a woman who was in her 50s said that you can really only effectively have three priorities in your life. I've been trying to prove her wrong, but as I sit here in my 50s (with my fancy new knitting box!) I'm inclined to think she is right. Now how do you choose?

Hats!!!

This is only vaguely about hats, but Susan's lovely spring hat made me feel like I should chime in.

Wednesday one of my favorite packages arrived--new yarn! This was yarn I had asked Claudia of Claudia's Handpaints to send me for a design we will be releasing in June. This will be one piece of a non-conventional sweater set--the camisole is done in Jade Sapphire 2-ply cashmere. Although I think the cashmere is about the best stuff there is to knit with, I love Claudia's yarn just as much. I'm taking both with me to a desert island.

The original sample was made for me--and I don't want to share my sample with the shop--so we're trying another color (it is sooooooooo hard to choose and my favorite is typically whatever I'm looking at) combination. The original color (Earth Dot) from Claudia's was chosen over the phone to go with an evening skirt I have. Not a completely logical match when it arrived, but I reminded myself that I always say (I hate that!) that it is often the best route with hand paints to choose something not quite a match to really make them pop. The cashmere I ordered without a color card was awfully yellow, but the resulting set--and my outfit--was smashing.

I was also waiting for another skein of Passion Flower fingering yarn because I had run out one sock short of a baby gift. I figured I would need to make two new socks with the new dye lot, but I didn't want to reknit the hat. This skein is very close. This is such a great baby gift--Lace Rib Hat and Sock--quick and portable. Unfortunately the baby arrived the day before the yarn so I need to finish this asap or the next thing I know the baby will be celebrating her first birthday. I got pictures yesterday and I swear she looked just like her dad when she was yawning! You can see what I was able to knit last night (what's on the needles)--and I didn't start until after 8 p.m. and was I in bed at 10:30 and I ate dinner too. The first sock doesn't look too dissimilar, but I'll withhold judgment until the second one is finished.

Spring is in the air!

All I can look at is pink and yellow and spring green yarn. I want yarn to match the crocuses in the garden (the two that the squirrels left me). The fire hydrant got a spring hat today.

I'm a bit stuck on knitting projects. I have a small bag cast on. It's turquoise and will be solid color entrelac with a knit lining (something bright!). I have some pink yarn on order to make Capped and another pink yarn swatching on needles that I think will be a cardigan.

I'm also working on a purse using free form knitting techniques. I saw a small handbag in a magazine that was patches of leather and I'm trying to create a similar look with knitting.

None of this excites me terribly, but I think I may still be a little jet lagged. The nice weather is distracting too as I want to be outside and it's too cool to just sit and knit out there!

Cable Hat "Bebe"

I knit the Cable Hat pattern using Fixation with the number of stitches used for the worsted weight in the pattern. The Fixation showed off the stitches fabulously and I was thrilled when I had a 4 month old model enter the shop. The hat looks much better on a child than on a ball of yarn!

Home Projects

Warm temperatures and wind are finally melting the snow. Last week was definitely a knitting week! For the most part, many of the customers aren't really interested in hats, but last week many of us were knitting hats. Cold weather really makes you appreciate what another layer of wool can do.

I wore my alpaca socks on the coldest days and found myself dreaming about leg warmers, maybe even alpaca long underwear! I have to say that having warm feet really does make a big difference in how warm my body is.

However, I did not knit long underwear, rather focused on some entrelac, getting some ideas out of my head and onto needles. I'll be working up a pattern for "Entrelac Home" - vessels, baskets and pillow for home decor.

Friday Night Social Knitting at Y2Knit

Social Knitting was in full swing when I arrived an hour late. They had saved me a place though so I settled in and got busy.

To my left were Marge and Janice (left), both accomplished knitters who were working on exciting projects. Beside Janice was Frankie (below, in red), a talented silversmith, knitter, crocheter and cro-hooker (sounds interesting doesn't it?).



Across from me was Margret (left), also an accomplished stitcher who has been visiting us while her mother recouperates from surgery. We'll be very sorry to see her go and hope she comes back often to visit.

Next is Susan (right), shop owner extrodinaire, who hosts these get-togethers and offers liberal amounts of help, advice and encouragement. She taught me to knit and is my mentor in all things knitty.


Last but certainly not least is Kathy (below), who was busy making hats. She's also a great knitter and friend and I really look forward to seeing her at these events. She seems to be as enthusiastic about yarn and knitting as I am and I'm looking forward to going to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival with her this year. I'm a festival virgin and she's offered to show me around.

If you're ever in the Hagerstown, Maryland area on the second or fourth Friday of the month at 7pm be sure to stop by and see us. We'd sure love to meet you.

SWTC Tofutsies Yarn Review - It doesn't smell like Old Bay

I'm knitting socks with a new yarn (new for me al least) from SWTC called Tofutsies (toe-foot-sies). Isn't the colorway fantastic?
I'm using Wendy's Generic Toe-Up Pattern (my favorite) with 64 stitches on size US#0/2mm metal needles. This is now my standard pattern because it fits me so well. But the Tofutsies yarn is very thin and after working with Cherry Tree Hill, Fleece Artist and Claudia Hand Paints I can really notice a big difference. I'm getting 10 stitches and 14 rows to the inch as opposed to my usual 8 and 12 and the sock is knitting up narrow. It does, however, still fit my foot so I think I will soldier on to the heel and do a fitting before deciding whether it's ok or whether I need to frog it and go up to 68 stitches.


It's 50% superwash wool, 25% soysilk fibers, 22.5% cotton, and 2.5% chitin. For those of you who aren't familiar with the Chesapeake Bay area, Old Bay Seasoning is used on shrimp, crabs, and all kinds of foods around here. When I picked this yarn up at Y2Knit and Susan told me what was in it, I really expected it to smell like Old Bay. Perhaps the color has something to do with it since it is such a pretty shrimpy color.

Charity Knitting - January

Charity Knitting at the Y2Knit Shop occurs on the first Thursday. We meet from 10-12 and again in the evening 7-9, with different knitter/crocheters coming to each session. After creating over 900 caps for low birth weight infants for Caps to the Capital - we got lots of help from the community - we are now working on chemo caps for Breast Cancer Awareness of Cumberland Valley. Sadly, they continue to have a need for these, but it's our pleasure to create caps for women receiving chemo for breast cancer.

When I was collecting the caps, I filled two huge boxes and began to wonder how much it would cost to mail them. Jill suggested I put out a collection basket so people could donate towards the mailing costs. I collected $21 and expected Y2Knit it contribute to balance. When I went to UPS on Monday with the boxes, the clerk told me, "$20.98" and I responded, "You're kidding!". She was a bit taken aback by my response, but I was surprised (why? these things to work out) at the cost nearly matching my collection. I am going to tape the 2 pennies change up as a reminder that there is a wonderful balance in this universe.

Pat Riggle's Fabulous Vest

Pat is a fabulous knitter who likes to take on challenging projects. Her first steek project was this vest for her son. I'll get specifics regarding pattern, yarn, etc. and post that information.

Abigail's Corner

Abigail spent most of the holiday season in her felted bed / basket. Many people came into the shop and were surprised to see her, and I kept hearing comments like, "I thought it was one of those stuffed cats you see in the mall"! Not spending any time at the mall, I didn't have a clue as to what they were talking about, but someone described stuffed cats in baskets that are sold in the kiosks. My reply became, "No, she's real--she eats and poops"!

Christmas at Y2Knit

It was a windy evening, clear and cold. December 8th was the Old Time Christmas Celebration in the tiny town of Funkstown. All the businesses and homes were decorated for Christmas, most included homemade luminaries among their decorations. Every year a group of townspeople get together and fill brown paper bags with a dozen white paper bags, sand, and candles and deliver them to every home and business. All the shops stay open, there are hayrides and the town hall serves cookies and punch.

Susan set her luminaries out and I managed to get one photo with all of them lit before the wind put them all out. One even blew over and caught
fire leaving a candle, and a pile of sand and ashes.

Despite the weather the town was bustling. This event always attracts a good crowd. Inside the shop the conditions were much nicer. Susan had invited two other crafters to display their wares.

Frankie Yourgulez was offering her handmade sterling silver jewelry and homemade salsa and Allison Coles Severance from Coles Pottery set up a large display of her pottery.

Chips and Frankie's salsa were served in two beautiful little bowls with pouring spouts and handles.


Susan had a collection of her handmade books for sale.

Yarn Review: Blue Heron

Blue Heron Yarns, 89% silk/12% rayon twist in Tulip

I love this yarn. The moment that I saw the beautiful colorway and the unusual texture of this yarn I was hooked. When I touched it I had to have it. I can't seem to get a good photo. I'm certainly not the world's greatest photographer.



It has an unusual feel to it, sort of rich, as in thick and creamy. The finished shawl has an excellent drape but retains it's shape very well. I've worn it many times and there is no fuzzing (is that a word) or pills. It did shed a little while I was knitting it but it doesn't leave any fibers on my clothes now that it's been handled. I would definitely choose this yarn again.

Radioactive Pirate Hat Done!

Posted by Kim


Pattern: We Call Them Pirates by Hello Yarn
Yarn: Green - Kokon 35% cotton, 35% silk, 30% microfiber
Black - ggh superwash merino wool
Needles: size 3, 16" circular; size 3, 7" dnp; size 1, 12" circular

My freind Doug agreed to model the green pirate hat. I finished it last night and steam blocked it. This hat is so much fun to make. It turned out smaller than the black and white one because the green yarn was a slightly smaller gauge. I really need to make a least 2 more of these for nephews. This one will have to go to one of the younger ones because it should fit loosely. I will have to experiment with other yarns and/or needles on the others.

Here is a detail of the lining. I decided to do it with the green since I had a lot left over.

I think the next one will be turquoise and black but the center row of skulls will be green. I'm pretty sure that I have enough of the green for that.

I can also picture this with a bright handpainted yarn for the skulls. Whadda ya think?

Icarus Shawl is Finished!!!!

As I've said before, this was my first lace project. This was also the first time I've used blocking wires. I got a set at my LYS Y2Knit. I had heard people talking about how expensive blocking wires can be so I was a little apprehensive but they were only $25 for a complete set.



Susan, the owner, and I looked at my remaining yarn while I was there and she estimated that I wouldn't have enough to finish. She gave me another ball and told me to bring back what I didn't use. I ran out a little over half-way through the bind-off. I did a combination of the a spit and a russian join. It held during the blocking without any trouble so I think it will be fine.



I didn't have to stretch it to get to 72" wide and 36" down the center. It was plenty big. There are a few mistakes and twisted stitches but all-in-all I am very, very happy. Thank you, Miriam for creating this beautiful pattern and thanks to all the knitters in this KAL for all their advice and encouragement.

Info:
Icarus Shawl
Pattern by Miriam Felton
Published in Interweave Knits - Summer 2006
Yarn: JaggerSpun Zephyr 50% merino/50% silk, approx. 880 yds.
Started: May 21, 2006
Finished: July 16, 2006