KnitCrit

Love m' Feather n' Fans

Because I often don't knit from a particular pattern, not all of my finished projects can be "(knit)crit-iqued;" at least not in the format that I have established.  Currently, many of my works-in-progress are nearing completion, so there will be pattern reviews soon.  For the time being, I took a look back at my projects to see if there was a pattern that I failed to review.  No, but there are a couple of favorite shawls that I have not shared, to-date.
  These are my two Feather and Fan wraps/shawls.  The black one was knit in Misti Alpaca Chunky baby alpaca; the tan one in Karabella Aurora 8, an extrafine Merino.

I would venture that this stitch pattern is the most popular among all others.  Today, a Google Image search returns 112,000 images and there are 1,541 matching projects on Ravelry when Feather and Fan is entered as a search.  It's popularity is in the combination of a simple pattern repeat, using an uncomplicated blend of knits, purls and yarn-overs.  From one pattern to the next, there is some variation, but the end result is the same - a lovely scalloped stitch pattern that just screams "loveliness."
  The size of the black one is 15 inches wide by 70 inches long, and boy, does the chunky alpaca stretch!  I call this shawl my cocoon, since I can burrow into it for warmth when I am cold, and comfort when I'm feeling crappy.  The softness of the yarn adds to the overall good feeling of this shawl.
 
I knit the tan one 11 inches wide by 66 inches long, with the idea that it would wrap around and lay nicely on my shoulders.  I probably should have knit another 6 inches or so, since it does wrap, but falls off of my shoulders more than I would like.  Sometimes I add a shawl pin to anchor it, but for some reason, it still won't stay in place for any length of time.  However, that doesn't deter me, in the least, from wearing it often.  Both wraps have become staples of my wardrobe.

If you haven't knit a Feather and Fan object, give it a try!  You'll be happy with the results.  If you have knit one, please share via a link for my readers and me to enjoy...

Utility Knitting

There are times when just knowing how to knit can come in handy.  It's rather like knowing how to sew on a button, or how to change a bike tire (which I don't, but we won't go there).

A couple of weeks ago, as I was washing my face one evening, I thought to myself that I really needed to purchase new washcloths.  And then there was an "aha" moment; I could just knit one.  In fact, in my stash I had some Peaches and Cream cotton yarn in a color that would go well in the new bathroom.  I pulled out my Knitters Stash for a pattern idea and voila!  Instant gratification!

The ridges are great for massaging tired muscles at the end of the day and the thick cotton, when I get it really hot, just feels amazing.  From "aha" to "ahhhhhhhhhhhh....."

   

                

Congratulations!

                   
The winner of the lovely Lisa Souza and Artyarns Yarns is the author of the Purloined Letter Blog!  I will deliver the yarn in person to her at our next SSK gathering.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Equal Justice Foundation!

Antiques in Alexandria

This weekend is the annual Antiques in Alexandria show.  Twelve years ago, the show was founded by my parents, who loved and obsessed over antiques with quite a similar passion as my love for knitting and related fiber arts. 

My mother passed away in 1999 and then my dad died this past September.  This year's show is a memorial to him.  In order to carry on the legacy, I began doing some volunteer work this year (and will likely do more in future years).

These are not your thrift store antiques, either.  These are the big league, or should I say, the expensive league.  OMG, the prices on some of the pieces are just unbelievable! 

Usually, I stroll the booths with an "ooh" or "ah,"  but this item forced much more air out of my lungs:

It is a swift, yes; one carved out of ivory, with silver inlays.  Of course, I was attracted to it.  I walked over to look at it and then looked down and saw this:

Do you see the price?  It is forty-five thousand dollars!!!! One dealer so kindly advised me that there was likely some bargaining room there.  Thanks, but not the bargaining room necessary to bring the lovely swift home with me.

In previous years, I have bid on a silent auction item here and there.  I've even won one or two.  Imagine my surprise when I came upon this in the silent auction:

It seemed strange that it would be included in the auction, but I soon learned that it had belonged to the grandmother of the woman in charge of the silent auction.

I bought it!

You see, during the opening preview event, the silent auction bidding could be eliminated if a certain "buy now" price was paid.  I couldn't resist.  No, I don't spin; at least not yet anyway.  And, I know very little about this wheel, but will learn more when I pick it up tomorrow.  In the meantime, I envision it placed in the middle of the front bay window in my living room.  There, I can display it where the sun will shine on it during the day and the torchierre light at night.

Mom and Dad, thanks!

Pattern Critique #30: Tuscany Shawl

Pattern Name: Tuscany
Designer: Amy R. Singer
Source: No Sheep for You, Amy R. Singer
       
Pattern Yarn: Handmaiden Silken

Images:
   

 

Pattern Review:

I am a podcast fanatic.  When Amy Singer's book, No Sheep for You, was released, I think that every one of the podcasts I subscribe to had a review - a glowing review - of this book.  Honestly, I'm not very good about actually reading my knitting books, as I prefer to review and consider the patterns, instead.  This book was different.  Not only did I read a good bit of it, but I was intrigued by the topic and driven to it by the author.  The richness of the writing proved that Amy Singer is not merely an amazing web zine editor, but an incredible fiber artist as well. And it was this shawl that brought it all together - the ultimate mix of beautiful pattern in an equally beautiful book.

While a couple members of my knitting group, SSK, jumped on this pattern right away, I held back for the time when I would have the "aha" moment when the yarn and the pattern came together. It ended out being more of a "duh" moment when I, the lover of Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool, realized it was a good match for Tuscany. After an inventory of my FOs, I came to the conclusion that a navy blue shawl would be frequently worn by this lover of everything denim.

To begin, six stitches are cast on very loosely.  Seven setup rows are completed from there, with a combination of knits, purls and yarn overs - all in all, a typical knit-from-the-bottom-point triangular shawl beginning. In the eighth row, the 16-stitch chart pattern begins. There are 16 rows of the 16-stitch pattern completed for each section repeat.  Every other row is purled, except for the knit stitches at each edge.  The actual lace pattern has an uncomplicated mix of yarn overs (yo), slip one and knit two together and pass slip stitch overs (sl1k2togpsso), and knit three togethers (k3tog).  Each time one of these 16x16 sections is finished, the remaining stitches are incorporated into the overall pattern.  The same pattern is repeated over additional stitches and worked until it is 11 times wide, with 372 stitches.  Yep, that's a total increase of 366 stitches from the beginning cast on!

The shawl is bound off using the Russian method in which you "p2 together, then loosen and slip the resulting stitch back onto the left-hand needle, insert the right-hand needle tip into this stitch and the next stitch to the left and gently tighten it, p2tog" and repeat until all stitches are bound off. 

Personal Notes:

I was so obedient and cast on the first stitches very loosely.  Yet, the triangular tip of the shawl curls, and curls badly. You can probably notice that in the picture.  I have tried to improve the problem by heavily steaming the tip.  Recently, I found that folding it and steaming it emphasizes the triangle shape of the tip somewhat, but it still curls. Upon further review, the shawl in the book also curls a bit, if you look really closely.  So, perhaps it is not a flaw in my shawl, at all, but rather expected.  There are 89 finished Tuscany shawls on Ravelry today, and everyone seems to love their shawl, so maybe it's just me.  A couple note the rolling, but it does not deter from others' adoration of this pattern. I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist, so possibly I am the only one who is the least bit bothered by a little curl. 

My shawl is also larger than the pattern, due to my miscalculation of the number of repeats I needed to do to reach the desired total stitch count.  Did I mention that I am an accountant?  Another "duh."  It's okay, though, because this shawl wraps and wraps and I can perform a variety of knotting and twisting techniques with it. I love it!

Rating:

There is good reason for this being in the top 25 popular shawls on Ravelry (it is #22 today).  Tuscany knits up beautifully, with the finished look being much more complicated than the pattern is, in fact.  I wonder if others look at the pattern and discount it as complex?  I don't know, but this is a great pattern designed by an important contributor to the international knitting community.  It is well written, with three large photographs that display a great deal of stitch detail.  The chart, albeit simple, is large and clear, with full explanations of each of the stitch combinations in the book.  Lastly, the Russian bind off is one that I will use again due to its stretchiness and detraction from the same old bind offs that I typically use. 

Please knit this pattern...you will enjoy the knit and love the outcome!

             

If you have knit this pattern, please rate it and submit as comments. Thank you!

A Great K Day

Knitting friend Barbara and I ran away to the Eastern Shore of Maryland today.  During the week, I had received information about a Knitting Day Party to be held at the Women's Club of St. Michaels.  Totally tempting was the fact that Blue Heron Yarns would be there.  I really love the colors of their yarns, although I must admit to never having purchased any; well, that is, not until today.

We walked in and immediately immersed ourself in the yarns of Dragonfly Fiber Designs.  As we soaked in the yarns, owner Kate was having a conversation with Pooh about the Silver Spring Knitters group.  Oh my god, that's my group; the one I started and attend every Tuesday!  (Fortunately, they were saying nice things about it and I encouraged them to come).  But, it got even better.  Turns out, Kate is a neighbor of mine; with gorgeous colourways in her sock and laceweight yarns; and she has a sit and knit group at her house on Sunday nights.  It was like a dream and immediately escalated to the top of the "who knew" list.

I purchased two sock yarns from Dragonfly.  One, primarily brown for a pair of socks for my husband.  The other is a scrumptious blend of blues and browns, in a heavier weight superwash, for "me" socks.

   
Then I wandered over to the Blue Heron table.  She had brought a small supply of yarns for the event, but the colors were irresistible.  Yet, I couldn't make up my mind.  There were feather and fan shawl samples - gorgeous.  On another table was a lace scarf in silk - lovely. 

I sat down and pulled out my knitting.  There at the table were new knitting friends and I became absorbed in the conversation, deep down thinking that I was going to leave without purchasing any Blue Heron and waffling between pride and panic.  But, then, the woman sitting beside me, a new knitter, described her project.  It was Sonnet from Kniitty; a sideways cardigan, the "mom" sweater to the Haiku baby sweater that I knit previously, and a "want to do" project.  She was using the Blue Heron rayon yarn. That did it.  I put down my knitting and raced to the Blue Heron rack, where I bought two skeins of the beaded rayon in the Sandstone colourway.
 
                     

The women running the event had made some delicious soup and pasta, with yummy brownies for dessert.  There was dying going on in the kitchen, spinning to one side of our table, and a variety of chatter and instruction all around.  With the blink of an eye, it was 3pm and we'd been there for four hours.  After good-byes and packing up of our purchases, we left with great big smiles and wonderfully satisfied feelings that go along with a memorable afternoon.  Tomorrow night, we're both going to Kate's house for her sit and knit group!

In closing, one more Great K to mention...congratulations to Coach K on win #800!  Go Duke!