My new hat (Ravelry notebook page for details) was a fun knit, with a fun yarn – an angora/wool blend.  Just enough fuzzy halo to be nice and not get stuck in your eyelashes and lips.  Added bonus that the cables formed a nice little flower pattern on top too!

So, my rate is one knit to about eight books… here are some of the highlights from the summer of [book] love:

The Lost City of Z:  A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon : a biography and adventure travelogue rolled into one.  Fascinating story of Percy Fawcett, the British explorer who was lost in the Amazon in his search for the lost city of gold – coded as “Z” by Fawcett.  The author retraces some of Fawcett’s steps through Brazil, and uncovers some of the mysteries that still revolve around his mysterious disappearance in the mid-1900s.

Centuries of June: A Novel : Reading this book was like dissecting a Dali – surreal, fantastic, with small bits of recognizable traits from “real life” but otherwise, a dreamscape when time and space don’t jive. The book is a dying man’s look back on history – through the eyes of eight women and a male “guide” that morphs from his late father to Samuel Beckett, to his living brother…  unlike anything I’ve ever read.  Very memorable.

World Without Fish : The book is a call to arms on protecting the oceans, and specifically practicing sustainable fishing. He clearly states that in 50 years, the oceans will look very different than they do today (like the title says a “world without fish”). The book is heavily illustrated with intermittent “comics” following a ocean scientist and his daughter, but there is also quality science writing here. This book would be a useful text for classrooms and educational settings.

Ragged Edge of the World: Encounters at the Frontier Where Modernity, Wildlands, and Indigenous Peoples Meet : Gosh, this book was fabulous. Linden has such an engaging style – like you are just having a casual conversation. Each chapter is an essay that focuses on a location or people group that he has encountered during his long career as a foreign correspondent and journalist.

Robopocalypse : Told in a report format, the reader learns the history of the “New War” – the robot uprising against humanity – through the stories of the ones fighting in various locations – primarily the US, but also the UK, Japan, and Afghanistan. If you are a sci-fi fan, you will eat this one up like candy. I sure did!

(Full reviews of these and many more on my GoodReads page!)

So, why not a post about what I have been knitting?  No doubt the thing that brings most of you to this little corner of the internet is the knitting – so here you go!

My fellow hockey-loving knitters and I do a January hat knitalong that we call the January Hat Trick.  Three hats = a “hat trick”.  I jumped the gun a bit this year and made a hat in December for my sister’s Christmas present, and then knit 2 hats for myself in January. I didn’t technically make a full hat trick, but I am happy with all the hats!  I have another hat on the needles now, but it’s been pushed back a bit until I finish some of my other knits.  You can see details on all the hats over on Ravelry.

My project for 2011 is to knit down the stash – specifically the single skeins and small project yarns.  I am planning several more hats, cowls, shawls, scarves, and baby knits.  Even thinking about a big blanket with small color repeats… I do want to make some sweaters too (I need to finish Kris’s before it gets too warm to wear it!) but that will be after I make some headway on the small projects.  Wish me luck!

]]> http://lollygirl.com/blog/2011/02/07/triple-threat/feed 19 http://lollygirl.com/blog/2010/07/19/knits-from-up-north http://lollygirl.com/blog/2010/07/19/knits-from-up-north#comments Tue, 20 Jul 2010 00:51:30 +0000 lolly http://lollygirl.com/blog/?p=2933 Juneau’s climate is tailor-made for handknits.  The temperature is pretty consistent, and while we were there, it didn’t rise above 60 degrees.  You need warm and dry feet – make socks.  You need to cover your neck and chest – make a scarf.  You need to keep your head warm an dry – make a hat.  Easy enough.  You do have to factor in the whole wetness factor – because it rains approximately 150 inches a year (it’s a rainforest) but you just choose your fiber accordingly.

I did just that – and came away with two winning accessories that served me well during my time there.

Yvaine Shawl
Pattern: Yvaine – free pattern from Femiknisty
Yarn: The March Hare fingering weight, colorway “Driftwood”
Needles: Size US 8 circulars
Ravelry Notebook Page

I did start it here, but I finished it there – so I am counting it as an Alaskan knit   The pattern was simple and very fun.  I really enjoyed the triangular shawl knit process and watching it grow.  Yvaine had some textural elements too, so it varied a bit.  The yarn really made it sparkle, in my opinion.  Loved this variegation the first minute I saw it at MDSW last year.

While in Alaska, I also whipped up a quickie hat.  I needed some warmth, and I also wanted a little variety from the one other hat that I had brought with me.  So… the Misty Juneau hat was born!  I brought this Spirit Trail Minerva along with me (a purchase from MDSW a few years back) and I made this beanie hat in two days.  And surprise!  the day I finished it – was a misty Juneau day!

I improvised the pattern – very simple beanie design with a wide ribbed brim.  Then, I did reverse stockinette the whole way because I liked the way it looked.  Here’s the Ravelry Notebook Page.  The yarn has a more violet tint than the photos show, with these small streaks of gray in it.  I doubled the yarn, and used a 16-inch size 8 circular needle.  Tried it on as I went along and bound off when it was long enough.

On the plane ride back to Maryland, I made a lot of progress on an improvised “design” using the basic triangular shawl shape.  It should be finished soon, and I will be sharing the pattern.

We had an amazing time in Alaska, and it was hard to leave!  I do hope to have another chance to make it back to Alaska to see more of the state – it’s a very special place!  I am still uploading photos on Flickr and will be in the upcoming days, so if you would like to see my Alaska set of photos (well, what I have so far!) you can see them here!

]]> http://lollygirl.com/blog/2010/07/19/knits-from-up-north/feed 15 http://lollygirl.com/blog/2009/10/17/week-of-old-knits http://lollygirl.com/blog/2009/10/17/week-of-old-knits#comments Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:42:34 +0000 lolly http://lollygirl.com/blog/?p=2355 Last month, I shared some of my photos from my “Year in Photos” (YIP) project.  Today is Day 44 of the year, and I am still on track!  I am happy that I have been able to stick with it this long – more than 12% of the way through!

This week, I decided to do something new and fun – I declared it my “Week of Old Knits” and dug around for knits that were at least 1.5 years old.  Re-photograph and review how they are wearing and what the yarn looks like after the time has passed.  It’s been a fun project so far, and something I think that more people should do.  What happens a few years later?  How are they holding up?  Are they ever worn?

I would love to see and hear more about your own knits – we spend time on them when we knit and purl – so tell the rest of their story too!  It’s only fair, right?

Street Smart Hoodie

Finished: December 2007
Yarn Review: Doesn’t look a day older. This yarn, Cottage Craft wool, is one of those lovely rustic wools that will just keep ticking.  It was a joy to work with back then, and I would use it again in a minute.  Perfect for cables, textured pieces, and for colorwork.  I bought it at Stitches East in 2006 from the producers, and since then, they have made a nice website where you can see and shop for their wools and patterns online.
Wear Review: Until last winter, this knit didn’t get much wear… it was so pretty, but just sat in the closet. Last December, I pulled it down and wore it a lot over the winter. With the cold temperatures right back in Maryland now, I have already worn it several times this fall. No pilling, no stretching – it looks brand new.
Verdict: Love love. Would knit it all over again. This garment makes me want more hoodies in my wardrobe!

Twiggy Bobble Hat

Finished: January 2008
Yarn Review: Lovely natural alpaca from Kraemer Yarns; however, like most alpacas I have worked with, this yarn stretches.  It lacks the elasticity factor of wool, but it is almost forgivable because of the lovely halo!  It’s a tad scratchy right against the skin of my forehead.  It is very warm and toasty though, so perfect for the cold days of winter.
Wear Review: For a hat this lack of elasticity is fine, but a sweater in this yarn would be an issue… it would sag too much and just not fit.  The hat just gets some more slouch.  The pattern’s bobbles have not worn as well over time, and many of them get inverted and look more like dimples.  It’s not unattractive, it’s just the way it is.  If I had the real inclination, I would go back and stitch up the back of the bobbles… or if I ever made this again, I would do so after knitting each one – one or two stitches would do the trick.
Verdict: It gets a lot of wear because of the warmth. Plus, I love the chocolate brown and the general fit of it. A few things I would do differently next time, but still a nice knit.

Koigu Indigo Anklets

Finished: January 2006
Yarn Review: Koigu is still a hot topic and a well-loved yarn. The colors and the saturation was what drew me to this yarn in the first place, and they haven’t faded a bit since I made them. They have pilled with wear, and the bottom sole is kind of “felted”, but there are no thin spots or areas where a hole might form. The yarn has eased quite a bit, and they are a little baggy on the top of the foot.
Wear Review: These get a lot of wear – as around the house socks or slip on with tennis shoes socks. Considering this, they have held up well.
Verdict: Great color saturation and color fastness, decent socks. I don’t think I would make any more Koigu socks, but I would be happy to use the yarn for something like a shawl or scarf – something that wouldn’t be so likely to pill and lose shape.

I have completed 5 Days in the *Week of Old Knits* series along with reviews (although the ones written here are much more comprehensive than what is on Flickr) and I am planning another sweater and another pair of socks to finish out the week.  Stay tuned…

It was a call for a happy celebration.  Vegan style.

Pumpkin pie with a pistachio/graham crust, whipped cream, maple coulis and pomegranate seeds… ooh, the delight!  All thanks to the local vegan eatery, Great Sage!  Oh, you know I love to bake and cook, but I also enjoy when others bake and cook for me

__

In my last post, I mentioned the box of goodies that I sent off to California for Mimi and for Baby V.   I included the Komb blanket, the cardigans, a little hat, and some various things I picked up for lil’ niece.  Realizing that I was not able to finish Mimi’s cardigan by V’s birth, I whipped up a quick hat for my sister.  Spreading the handknit love to the mommy as well as the baby!  … and since Mimi is way over there, and I am way over here, you get me modeling the hat… hopefully I will have photos of her wearing it soon. 

Pattern:  Root Vegetable from Knit One, Embellish Too [book] by Cosy
Yarn: Handspun Merino/Angora blend from MDSW ’09,
Needles: Size US 9

I embellished the hat with about 15 small turquoise buttons.  They are randomly placed around the hat – it turned out quite cute!  Mimi told me she really liked it, and I hope it keeps her nice and warm. 

Ready for Socktoberfest tomorrow?  Nearly 1100 people are in the group on Ravelry!

The ~AIR~ element, the element that we are focusing on now as a part of Project Spectrum EAST, seemed like the perfect time to explore a new color combination.  For a few months, I have really been enjoying the subtlety and juxtaposition of the colors gray and yellow. 

For me, gray evokes visions of clouds or shadows.  In contrast, yellow is about brightness and luminescence.  It seems like such a deep concept to use these two colors when creating something – or you can simply just enjoy the way the colors look together:  whatever level you chose to take it to!

Gray + Yellow = Grellow!

I knit this hat, the fabulously fitting free Felicity pattern (thanks Nettie!) exclusively while watching my team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, make their way to the Stanley Cup Finals.  You could even say the “grellow” is a little homage to them – a lighter, more feminine version – of the standard black and gold.  The series is still on, and they rallied for a nice win last night.  The hat was part of the Stanley Stashbusting knitalong that I organized on Ravelry’s Puck This group  again this year.  We just knit knit knit down the stash during the playoffs till the Cup is lifted over the heads of the players.  This hat pretty much has hockey knit into every stitch; for it was cast on and started the night that I received *the kiss* at the Penguins/Capitals game .  (Funny aside:  I am still getting comments and messages about this night on Flickr and through email and through some of the various hockey forums!  It truly was a memorable night!)

The hat used The Fibre Company Knightsbridge, an alpaca wool blend with beautiful color flecks.  It is a light worsted yarn, so I adjusted the needle size in the pattern down to size US 5s for a tighter fabric.  The yellow buttons are from my grandmother’s button tin – vintage, mismatched, and beautiful yellow.  I pretty much just dropped them on the hat and just sewed them on where they landed!  Such a simple embellishment, but it gives the hat a really hip feel. 

My Project Spectrum projects thus far (with the exception of the natural baby blanket) have focused primarily on photography and gardening – with the beautiful flowers blooming outside, I felt that it was a perfect way to celebrate the *Spring* and the -Wood- aspect of PS East, and to take copious amounts of outdoor photos both in my garden, my parent’s flower garden, and on some of the trails we have taken recently…

Many many thanks for your responses to my last post regarding Lyme disease.  Thank you for sending your thoughts and well-wishes, and thank you for relating your stories as well.  It is encouraging to know that more people are aware of this disease than in the past, of course, there is so much more that can be done.

The Ravelry Stanley Cup Stashbusting knitalong is just the right excuse for me to do this and to make some quick little knits that can be used right away.

A springy pastel headband that is just perfect for yoga asana practice – I am calling it my Baddha Band.  Baddha is Sanskrit for “bound”, so it seemed like an appropriate name for something to hold my hair back when I am doing  inverted yoga poses!   I used the Calorimetry pattern and a yarn that has been in the stash so long that it is now discontinued:  Noro Sakura.  It is a nylon blend with little thread/ribbon pieces at various spots.  If I remember properly, I picked this yarn up at a swap, but it may have been a clearance bin find too… I have another skein in a deep orange with some purple highlights… maybe for a different Project Spectrum month!  The yarn itself looks very much like the friendship bracelets that I used to make in elementary school to trade with my friends and sisters.  I added the pink synthetic flower for fun and in celebration of the beautiful spring weather.  Someone noted that the yarn colors reminded them of a blooming cherry blossom tree – and the good folks at Noro must have thought the same thing because “Sakura”, the name of the yarn, means cherry blossom in Japanese!

It’s quite girly with the bright colors, but I think it will be a nice little headband to make me smile during yoga practice!

When Larissa made this little shawl back in January (Rav link), it caught my eye.  I do not knit a lot of lace, and this was just my speed – yos and dropped stitches – and I could barely believe it when I saw the low yardage needed to make it…perfect for a lone skein of cashmere/silk blend that has lived in the stash for a few years waiting for a special project:

It is the Storm Cloud Shawlette pattern from Hanna at ever green knits.  Such a beautifully simple and meditative pattern to knit.  Especially with a special yarn.  I used a hank of Alchemy Monarch in “Teal Tide” colorway, it was a gift from Cathi awhile back… just one of those lovely skeins that sits and waits for a special project.  Only 156 yards and now I have this great little neck piece!  I used size 11 needles for it, but I could have gone even bigger for more drape and size.  I do lovely looking at the project pages on Ravelry and seeing how people have made this pattern in different yarns and gauges.  Love the creativity.

Both projects fit into the theme for the NORTH direction of Project Spectrum, specifically with the green focus.  With only a few days remaining in this phase (before we focus on the EAST direction!) my mind is already thinking about new projects, but I could easily have green all year… it is such an amazing color!

…but I did find a new technique that I quite like – well, it isn’t so *new* considering it is a traditional technique used in Finland and Estonia, and possibly many other countries with long knitting histories…

Tuulia’s Karelian Embroidery Mitten 

I started this lovely mitten pattern at the Nordic Knitting Conference a few weeks back, and I actually ripped out my progress and went down a needle size, so this is fresh and new.  And my new technique is that little vikkel braid on each side of the stranded colorwork…

-Vikkel Braid Tutorial at The Daily Skein-

It isn’t perfect – it is supposed to be alternating colors instead of a random smattering of stitches – but I am pretty happy with how it looks, even with two red stitches in a row!  (I am not losing sleep over it!)  Tuulia patiently taught the class how to knit the vikkel braid and it wasn’t until I did this second go at it that it really “sunk in”.  It took me awhile to do the one row, but it is worth it!  Nancy Bush also uses this technique in some of her sock patterns, but I never knew how to do it until someone actually showed me.  Thanks Tuulia! 

 …now I am gonna “vikkel” all the time!

Well, maybe not all the time. Simple edgings are definitely appropriate for lots of projects;  I still love the plain edge of the long-tail cast on in a pretty yarn…

…a new beret in a lovely kid mohair…

That was the weekend yoga teacher training for me.  A group of fifteen women (supposedly the first year that there have not been any males in the group) of different ages and backgrounds coming together to study yoga.  After three meetings over the weekend, we were so comfortable with each other!  Our instructors led us through a wonderful introduction, and really set the stage for what will happen over the next 11 months of training.  Since it is a formal certification process, there is a lot of documentation involved:  paperwork, checklists, forms.  We teased that we may as well move in to the studio considering how much time we will be spending there in the next year!  …and so far, that has been exactly the case!  The weekend was not all asana practice (although there was a lot of that!  I actually lost 3 lbs in one weekend with all of the yoga we were doing!) but also included a lot of information about teaching philosophy, anatomy, and yoga philosophies – we focused on ahimsa this month – the practice of non-harm.  This is a concept very close to my heart, and I plan to talk about it in a future post.

One of the big requirements for the Registered Yoga Teacher is doing an apprenticeship with the instructors.  We have a year (basically) to do the apprenticeship over an 11-week span, but I decided to jump right in and start apprenticing now.  Last night, I attended my first Yoga I class.  I was surprised to see the class so full – Maryland was hit with some nasty snow and ice storms and the schools have been canceled – but 20+ people still showed up for the 6:15pm class!  (I like to think that Yoga is 100% Recession-proof, and possibly weather proof too!)  My role in this week’s class was simple – since it was the first class, I assisted with some props, but primarily observed the class.  One of the main rules of apprenticing is that I do not practice along with the class – and that was the first time I have been in that situation.  Being in a class but not being IN the class.  However, I found it quite enlightening; when I am not focusing on my own form and poses, I can truly gauge the others in the room.  In the future, I will assist the instructor with adjustments, demonstrations, and possibly leading a sequence of poses later in the session.  This will be an invaluable experience!

After the apprenticeship class, I did have the chance to actually get on my own mat too when I stayed for the next class slot.  It is a more advanced class and definitely provided the challenge that I was looking for.  While I do practice at home very frequently, I usually do not challenge myself with more advanced poses because I am afraid of injury… but in class, when we have properly prepared for these pinnacle poses (Vasisthasana III and Visvamistrasana) with a series of other poses, it seems so right to just go for it.  Small steps and then a big finish!  and of course so many of us in the class fell out the pose, or lost balance, or had to come out.  But it was the process of getting there – and maybe getting a little further than last time! – that provided the reward and satisfaction.  It is finding that split second of stability and calm when you can think “YES!” before promptly falling to the floor

~~~

With all of the activities, I was surprised that I was able to start a finish another hat last week.  I started the beret on Inauguration Day and finished it up during the NHL All-Star weekend.  A great way to finish up this fun January Hat Trick knitalong!  I got 4 goals over the month – nothing compared to some of the über-knitters over on Ravelry! – but I am happy with the results.  Knitting hats is just so much fun! and as silly as it sounds, I love that I don’t have to knit another one – like socks, mittens, and sleeves! -because we only have one head! 

Tweedy Beret
Patten: Tweed Beret, Jo Sharp Knit Issue 3
Yarn: Jo Sharp Silk Road Aran Tweed in “Imagine” colorway
Source: All About Yarn – Columbia, MD
Needles: Size US8 circs

With one knitalong concluding, I can’t help but think about the next one starting up!  (Rav link) I am “chomping at the bit” to cast on for the DROPS vest in this delicious Tess yarn… the yarn that has been cast on several times and frequently ripped out.  I have a great feeling about this project – I think it is going to work out splendidly!  Sunday is the cast on day!  I will have plenty of opportunity on Sunday as we are headed to see the Washington Capitals play for the Sticks n’ Stitches event AND then off to a Superbowl party that evening.  Another fun and busy weekend ahead!

(and don’t think about how I still haven’t fixed Kris’s pullover…)

While I should have been fixing one knit, I decided to work on others… for the obligations of my knitalong the January Hat Trick on Puck This!, the Ravelry hockey forum.  I guess I can say that the hat knitting has proven to be quite fun AND addictive.  I still have tons of hats planned for January… even though I completed my first Hat Trick! (Three hats, like three hockey goals, constitutes a “hat trick”!)

GOAL #2

This was a quickie goal scored in the first period – the first third of the month! – on a great feed from one of my favorite players, Mr. Max Talbot (see him behind me?)  I completed this hat during the Penguins win over Atlanta earlier this week.

*Aspen Hat*
Pattern: “Aspen” from Classic Elite book #9092 (Autumn, Book 1)
Yarn: Lana Grossa Cool Wool Big, navy colorway, held double throughout
Needles: Size US 13 dpns
[More photos here]

I chose to go with a lighter weight yarn and went down one needle size (from 15s to 13s) in order to reduce some of the flop.  It is an extremely stretchy hat due to the lace patterning.  I think it would be a completely different look had I used the larger bulky yarn and big needles.  However, I like the hat, and while it isn’t really a winter weather warmth hat because of the holes, it is still cute and will get some wear in the transition seasons.

GOAL #3

This goal was a slapshot from the blue line!  Hat trick complete!  but, since I am now addicted to making hats, I think I will definitely be casting on for some more this month! Actually, this hat is for Kris – but since it was my third goal of the month (and Kris wasn’t home) here I am wearing it – I finished it up during the Penguins sad loss to Colorado (but, it was a good game).  Maybe next time the power of the hat can propel them to a win?

Penguins Patch Hat
Pattern: Ski Beanie from Son of Stitch ‘n Bitch: 45 Projects to Knit and Crochet for Men
Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca, black and yellow
Needles: Size US 5 circs – 16″

[More Photos Here]

I had thought about getting a patch for a hat for awhile, but when I met Amanda and her DH back in November and saw the football patch hat that she made for him, I decided to go for it.  The patch adds a classy vintage look and the hat is way better than the acrylic machine knit hats you often see at fan and sporting goods shops.  I found the patch online – there are many on Ebay as well as on different fan sites for just about any team and sport you can think of – in fact, I picked up two because I am definitely gonna need one now too   The pattern was easy and fun – a garter rib pattern that adds a slightly different look than the traditional ribbing.  It fits really well – snug but not tight and covers the ears well.  I would probably make this one again given the opportunity (I can already see myself making this one for my football-loving brother-in-laws) The pattern in the book is knit flat and seamed up, but I modified to knit it in the round, simply changing the 2nd row of the repeat to *knit* rather than *purl* since it was in the round.  I avoid seaming when I can!  First time working with Berroco Ultra Alpaca, and I can see why this yarn is so popular – it is beautiful.  I am hoping that it holds the shape and doesn’t fuzz, because I am sure this hat is going to get a ton of wear!  In fact, of all of the things I have knit for Kris – socks & sweaters – I believe that this one may be his favorite of all!

…okay, and now I can work on the pullover fixes… or cast on for another hat… I still have plenty of January left for another set of goals