cosmicpluto knits!

TNNA – “enjoyed by all”

This weekend I took myself off to TNNA – the National Needwork Association’s trade show! There’s two per year, one in January in California and the June show in Columbus, OH. Since I don’t really drive, I decided to fly Southwest (quite inexpensive). Of course, since Southwest doesn’t fly to Canada, I had to get myself to the States first. A slightly epic journey ensued.

I took Megabus to get to Buffalo, which was totally fine – the bus is actually quite comfortable, super cheap ($10 ish!) and actually got to the airport on time. I hung around, but then my first flight to Baltimore (Southwest’s hub) was delayed. By long enough that I missed my connection in Baltimore and had to go on standby for the next flight to Columbus, 2 hours later.

I kind of understand why airlines overbook, but not really! The customer service person warned me that since the flight was overbooked there might not be any seats available. I waited and waited, and in the end ONE person didn’t show up for the flight and I got the seat! I got to the hotel in Columbus and met up with ysolda and Kristen, who had just arrived from Chicago, and we had a fun night out at the fashion show, Buffalo Gold party, and Tip Top!

I really needed the time away from the computer and camera for the most part, so there isn’t a lot of photographic evidence. But I had lots of fun walking around, meeting people, feeling up yarn, eating food from the Market, and hanging with everyone in the evenings. And eating ice cream. So much ice cream.

Sunday night we were having a get-together at the Hyatt for drinks and knitting. Late-night Hyatt antics culminated in the following Zoolander-style battle of the knitwear models between Ysolda and Cirilia.

If you are intrigued and wish to see more…I present the following video!

I had so much fun and was sad to leave on Monday (although my trip home was much smoother). Next time I’m staying longer to hang out and also go shopping – Columbus had some really cute shops that I wanted to visit!

milkweed shawl

I wouldn’t normally like to post two finished patterns so close together, but I’m just so excited about this one! Also, since it’s isn’t a sweater, it’ll give the non-sweater-knitters something to get in on the action

I love this small shawl – I’ve been wearing all my triangular shawls scrunched up as scarves for years. The original idea for this project was to use 2 skeins of Koigu that I had, and I knit a prototype in up (you can see it in a previous blog post) but I haven’t managed to take any finished photos! I will, just so you can see it in a more variegated yarn. This blue version is knitted in Handmaiden Casbah and is bigger than the Koigu version.

Milkweed Shawl

This little reversible shawl is super quick to knit and perfect to drape over your shoulders or wrap around your neck for that little bit of warmth (especially against over-zealous air conditioning!).

Perfect for that special ball of sock yarn or handspun that you’ve got hidden away in your stash. And if you don’t have one of those, pick some up!

Technical Editing by Kim McBrien.

SIZE
54 inches / 137 cm across straight edge of shawl; 19 inches / 48 cm deep down centre.

MATERIALS
350 yards / 320 m of fingering weight yarn
Shown in Handmaiden Casbah (one 115g skein).

3.5 mm / US 4 circular needles, at least 24 inches long
tapestry needle

PATTERN NOTES
Shawl is knit from the centre back neck down in garter stitch (all rows are knit). Both charted and written directions are given.

7-page PDF pattern contains 6 charts in full colour.

Payment by Paypal (balance or credit card; no account needed) and downloads by Ravelry (no account needed).

$5.00 USD

Note: As of July 5, 2010, sales tax will be added to this price for all Canadian residents only. The rates are: British Columbia 12%; Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador 13%; Nova Scotia 15%; and everywhere else in Canada 5% GST. Tax will be added in the Paypal payment process.

macro lace

Wow! Thanks for the fantastic response to the Monday Morning Cardigan! I can’t wait till I start seeing some finished sweaters – I really love the side shaping too.

I wanted to share a shiny new project on my needles before I run out the door today (bike shopping!) – a big lace pattern in Malabrigo worsted.

I was calling this “macro lace” in my head because it’s a big motif – 3.5 inches between the side tips at the top. But then I realized it actually looks like the “macro” setting on cameras!

This goes fantastically fast and is super soft and squishy. I just love it. It’s going to end up as a sorta shrug-cardigan thing. Cropped, with adjust-to-your-size sleeves. Well, if it works out as planned, anyway.

Monday Morning Cardigan!

The slipped stitch cardigan has taken on a new name – the Monday Morning Cardigan!

Throw on this cardigan and be ready to face your week! Classic style and feminine shaping make Monday Morning a great sweater for work, play, or whatever comes your way.

Knit seamlessly from the bottom up, with a beautiful slipped stitch pattern that lies flat and doesn’t contract like ribbing. Three-quarter sleeves stay out of your way, and visually interesting waist shaping enhances your curves!

Big thanks to Kim McBrien for technical editing.
Top by Grace & Cello, skirt by Passenger Pigeon (sadly no longer in business).

Sizes
To Fit Bust: 28 [32, 36, 40]{44, 48, 52, 56} inches

Finished Measurements
Bust: 30 (34, 38, 42){46, 50, 54, 58} inches
Length: 24 (24, 24, 24)(25, 25, 25, 25) inches

The length of the body and sleeve from the underarm down is the same for all sizes. Notes are given throughout the pattern to modify the sweater to fit you!

Materials
Cascade 220 Heathers, colour 9341 “garnet”
5 (5, 6, 6)(7, 8, 9, 10) skeins

4.5 mm / US 7 circular needles, 24 inches or longer depending on the size you’re making
4.5 mm / US 7 double pointed needles/2 circulars/1 long circular for magic loop
waste yarn
tapestry needle
3/4 inch buttons

6-page PDF includes photos, schematic and abbreviations.
Payment by Paypal (balance or credit card; no account needed) and downloads by Ravelry (no account needed).

$6.50 USD

Note: As of July 5, 2010, sales tax will be added to this price for all Canadian residents only. The rates are: British Columbia 12%; Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador 13%; Nova Scotia 15%; and everywhere else in Canada 5% GST. Tax will be added in the Paypal payment process.

new lens eye candy

I’m completely enamoured of my new lens. To celebrate, some random photos! Mostly flowers, because, well, they make awesome subjects. I really need to practice with some yarn though!

Some new plain ribbed socks out of Regia Cotton on the go:

And my favourite of the day, a dandelion – the prettiest annoying weed there is.

P.S. In case you missed it in the last post, the lens I got is a Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4.5!

a sunny Saturday evening

I’m so behind on here! I’m sort of spinning my wheels here (not literally, sadly) with all the various knitting and designing projects in various stages of completion. I think it’s high time I clear out some WIPs, because I’m feeling buried.

As promised (finally), here’s my finished giant granny square!

More photos?

And just because I got myself a new lens (A Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 Macro):

Oooooh, love that macro action. This lens rocks.

Giant Granny Square
Hook: 6.5 mm
Pattern: Granny Square from the Purl Bee

Yarn: 7 balls of Noro Taiyo in colourway 1 (otherwise known as “neapolitan ice cream”!) plus 1 skein of Coldharbour Mill organic merino DK for the border, held double.

As an aside, this is the smoothest, sexiest merino ever. And I don’t think you can even buy it anywhere – I got it at IKnit Day in London last year. Does someone want to pick me up some more this year?!

For the border I just did 2 rounds of single crochet around the whole thing. Really finishes it off, I think! The final measurement is about 48″ square – plenty big for a couch blanket. I think I’ve given up my idea of sewing on a cotton backing, because, well, I don’t think it’ll ever happen! The blanket’s plenty warm enough as is.

I even have a new crochet project on the go – a ripple blanket!

(Have I mentioned how much I love my new macro?)

I’m using a 5mm hook and many, many random leftovers and single skeins. Unfortunately it turns out that crochet isn’t particularly nice to my left wrist – so I’m going to have to take it easy on this for awhile. I’m thinking it’ll just be one of those random projects around the house that I can pick up and put down whenever!