cosmicpluto knits!

plane knitting

As every knitter knows, the most difficult packing task is deciding on the knitting – how many projects, how much yarn, and what if you need that tool you hardly ever use? What if you RUN OUT OF YARN?

When packing for TNNA this is compounded by the fact that it’s a needlecraft industry show and nearly everyone you meet is a knitter, or at least knows a lot about yarn! So your knitting projects are on display and everyone is looking and touching. The pressure is on! (Just kidding, fellow TNNA-ers. You’re all awesome and non-judgey.)

I packed cashmere.

A plainish pullover in some silvery grey Handmaiden 4ply 100% cashmere. Canadian representation, easy to knit while chatting and drinking, and oh-so-amazing. I got a good chunk of the sweater done while I was away. My only concern is that I only have 5 skeins of the yarn, and they’re only 50g each! I’ve knit a sweater in this yarn before, and I used 6 last time – but cashmere grows a fair amount with washing and wearing, and I think for this little sweater I should be fine. I’m almost up to the underarm with just 2 skeins, and the 3/4 sleeve I finished this week at home took about 40g. By my calculations, I’ll have about 70g, or more than 25% of the total yarn to use for the yoke. The second sleeve is my toss-in-my-bag knitting now.

Cashmere part 2 was my peacock feathers shawl:

If you’ve been reading this blog awhile, you miiiight remember that I originally started this shawl on my big trip to Asia in early 2009. Although looking back through my archives, I can’t remember if I actually posted about it. Anyway, I worked on it a bit then, and a bit when I got home, but then I put it down in favour of worky design stuff and because I didn’t really have the knitting energy left over to work on a project that requires a little more concentration and a lot of chart reading.

I’ve decided that I will get this shawl off the needles soon, preferably earlier rather than later, so I took it for the 5 hour plane rides between Toronto and LAX. I figured I might actually put in some time on it, and I managed to get through about 1.5 of the charts. I was even able to watch some movies on the plane and knit the shawl at the same time.

There are 7 charts for the body of the shawl, and then a big edging one. I’m about halfway through chart 6, and while the end might not quite be in sight yet, at least it’s looking like I’ll be able to finish it! I’m knitting it in some laceweight cashmere that I bought a couple of Rhinebecks ago, on 2.25mm needles. The pattern calls for 3.5mm, but I want it to be smaller than 88″ across the top. So far it looks like it isn’t going to be enormous, so I’m pleased.

But it might be difficult to keep working away on this since I came back with so much lovely yarn that is tempting me towards some new projects.

I love yarn

Because it’s sooooo pretty!

Merino Fingering from local dyer Viola, in Sea Storm:

Sliver Moon Farm merino fingering in Smoky Plum:

Colinette Jitterbug in Oyster Blush:

I’m madly in love with all these yarns at the moment. Good thing they don’t expect me to be faithful!

upcoming classes and appearances

I’ve just updated my Classes and Appearances page to reflect all my upcoming events for this spring and summer! Along with classes at lettuce knit, I also have the opportunity to teach at Knit Camp 2010 in Stirling, Scotland this August!

My classes:

SPINNING WITH A WHEEL
This class is for people who have spun a little and want to expand their horizons. Some experience with a wheel or spindle is necessary – you should have some idea of how to spin a single. Learn some new tricks and techniques, including different drafting and plying techniques, mixing different fibres and different colours, and how to spin with control. You will have a variety of different fibres to play with, including some that you may have used before (e.g. merino) and some more unusual fibres (e.g. Bamboo). Laura will talk to you about how to incorporate your newly-spun yarn into different designs.

When: Tuesday, 9.30 – 5.00
Level: Advanced beginner plus
Class Skills: Need some basic spinning experience
Cost: £78 (includes fibre)
Class Length: 6 hours
Bring with you:
Your wheel, if you have one. Wheels can be hired at the cost of £10 for the day.
Notepad and pen

DESIGN YOUR OWN KNEE SOCKS
Venture into the world of design by working up your own custom knee sock pattern from the toe up. We’ll swatch, measure and calculate and you’ll come away with your very own custom pattern. Different toe and heel constructions, as well as incorporating interesting stitch patterns, will also be discussed.

When: Wednesday, 9.30 – 12.30
Level: Intermediate
Class Skills: Experience of knitting socks, comfortable with all knit stitches and a desire to start designing
Cost: £40
Class Length: 3 hours
Bring with you:
fingering weight yarn, appropriate sock-sized needles (2mm – 3mm, US 0-2), notepad, pen, calculator

TWO HANDED COLOURWORK
Stranded colourwork is lots of fun, but easier to manage if you learn to knit with both hands! A simple colourwork hat pattern will be provided to learn this simple technique.

When: Thursday, 9.30 – 12.30
Level: Advanced beginner plus
Class Skills: Comfortable with basic knit stitches
Cost: £39
Class Length: 3 hours
Bring with you:
3.75mm (US 5) double pointed needles, notepad and pen

INTRO TO DROP SPINDLING
For people who have never spun before but are keen to learn! Spinning your own yarns is loads of fun and the ultimate in sheep-to-sweater production. Learn how to spin singles, ply, and finish your yarns, as well as some fibre production methods.
When: Thursday, 2.00 – 5.00
Level: Beginner plus
Class Skills: None required
Cost: £39 (materials provided in class cost)
Class Length: 3 hours
Homework: None

You can sign up on the Knit Camp website. Hope to see you there!

FO: top down sweatercoat

I was re-sewing the buttons onto this sweater when I realized I hadn’t blogged this one either! I finished this one a long time ago, sewed the buttons on rather shoddily (necessitating re-sewing them on!) and wore it a few times before we hit a warm spell. Judging by the weather today though, I might get a few more wears out of it!

(Sorry for the crappy lighting – taken at night!)

Top Down Sweatercoat
Pattern: my own design; hopefully forthcoming in the fall!
Needles: 8mm
Yarn: Cascade 220 Heathers in 2 colours, held doubled; 8 skeins total

This one is top-down, circular yoked. It went surprisingly fast considering the length, but the bulky gauge made for quick knitting! The front bands are short-rowed so that they’re wider in the skirt portion of the coat.

A better idea of the actual colour:

It’s raining and cool again today, so maybe I’ll wear it out! I need to get to Ikea to buy a new desk chair Any recommendations?

Other new knits on and off the needles…

Socks that Rock Mediumweight in “rose quartz”.

And I’ve got a new mini shawl pattern in the works!

Mmmmm, deep blue Handmaiden Casbah.

frolicking

Saturday was the Downtown Knit Collective’s Knitters Frolic – an annual event that always has me clutching my wallet! This year I drove down (which is an accomplishment if you know me! I hardly ever drive) and worked with megan at our lettuce knit booth.

We actually had a double-booth space because the people next to us cancelled. We had a great time! We had lots of Dream in Color Classy on display along with a great February Lady that Kate knit for us.

We also had lots of Socks that Rock, Malabrigo (and my Ruffles pattern), Dream in Color Smooshy, and the hit of the day – these awesome baskets from Reisenthal!

Once a couple people bought them, they told us that everyone was asking where they came from! We ended up selling out completely – awesome. I didn’t even get one; I’ll have to wait for the next shipment.

Part of what’s so fun about the Frolic for me is seeing so many people I know all in one place! It was super busy first thing in the morning – I guess everyone wanted to get there bright and early. For atmosphere, the view in one direction from our booth. If you’ve never been, this is just one small area – there’s quite a few vendors.

Of course, I did get a bit of a chance to shop once it quieted down a bit. I’m saving my fibre-buying for MDSW (which is next weekend! how did that happen so fast?) but I had a bit of a falling down at the Tanis Fiber Arts booth. I bought a sweater’s worth of the aran weight in “midnight”.

I also picked up a couple skeins of DK weight in “plum” and “sand”.

Aren’t they gorgeous?!

A copy of “Hands-On Rigid Heddle Weaving” and a couple balls of Taiyo rounded things out. Okay, so these push the giant granny square slightly out of stashbusting territory, but in my defense, the Purple Purl had these on special! Should be enough for a couple more rounds of the granny square.

Very last thing was a couple of bobbins – Majacraft bobbins.

…I may have ended up with a new (to me) Majacraft wheel this weekend!

alpaca softness

Oy. The days, they swoop by, and I keep meaning to blog! I guess it’s been a pretty good start to the new year, with exciting happenings and parties and such. In the meanwhile, I’ve been continuing on a roll trying to get old projects off the needles.

This is a worsted-weight version of Charlotte’s Web, done in a super soft and cushy wool/alpaca blend that I bought at Rhinebeck 2006. I had wanted to buy enough for a sweater, but the vendor didn’t take credit cards and it was the end of the day – so I only had enough cash to buy 2 skeins – I think they were 250 yards each.

I think I’m going to give this one as a gift, so I’d better get to blocking it!