How's It Get That Way?

Have you ever wondered how a length of yarn gets turned into a neat little skein?

When I've finished plying yarn on my spinning wheel, I need to get it off the bobbin and put into a hank, so that I can get the spin set or twist it into a skein for storage. To do this I use my niddy noddy.

A niddy noddy has a center bar, with a smaller bar at either end which are at a 90º angle from each other. Yarn is wound onto the niddy noddy by going up over one end of the top bar, then down under the end of the bottom bar, back up over the other end of the top bar, and then back down over the other end of the bottom bar. You can watch a video of this here.

This process is repeated until all of the yarn has been put onto the niddy noddy. Both ends of the yarn are then tied around the hank, so that they can be easily untied, but will still hold and keep the yarn from unwinding or tangling until you untie them. Then you take the yarn off. I do this by slipping the hank off of each of the ends.

Niddy noddies come in various sizes, and it's useful to know what size hank yours will make. Mine makes hanks of which each loop of the hank is approximately 5 1/2 feet in circumference. If you count the number of loops, multiply by 5 1/2, and then divide by 3, you get the yardage for the hank. While in this state, it is ready to have the spin set, be dyed, or wound into a ball.

If you're not yet ready to set the spin or wind it into a ball, if you hold the hank so that it is looped around your hands, you can then twist the loops, each hand moving in the opposite direction, until there is plenty of twist built up and there is only a small loop at each end of the hank where your hands were. Fold the hank in half, slide one loop inside the other, and let the hank twist around itself. When done properly, this is the best way to store your yarn as it doesn't put additional strain on the fibers.

One skein of yarn, ready to store.

What A Week

rhino virus (common cold) illustration

So, I'm still trying to recover from the micro-beastie that decided to make its home in my body.

Downside: It's been a week already, I'm not yet completely better, and I am so beyond ready to be healthy again.

Upside: Crafty goodness.

Yes, it's true. I got past the not being able to concentrate thing, and have been busy working on several projects.

First up we have the Triangular Summer Shawl. I started this last October, but after the initial cast-on and first few rows, it got set aside in favor of other projects. I don't know why. Its knit with linen/silk blend handspun, which I like. Its a pattern I've done before and like. There is no reason not to have been working on it. But I wasn't.  Having gotten a couple of things off the needles, I decided to work only on my wips, so this got picked back up. I have about 40 more rows on the shawl (each shorter than the one before, so it goes quickly), a lace edging, sewing on the lace edging, washing, blocking, and weaving in the ends.

Come to think of it, it sounds like I still have quite a lot of work to do. And here I was getting all excited about how close to finishing I was getting.

Next up is the sock I'm designing as I go. I picked up a ball of Indulgence from my lys, and loved the feel of the yarn and the color so much, I decided to cast on a sock immediately. I wasn't sure how the color repeat would go, but it turns out to be self-striping, so I knew that I could get away with some patterning without it being too busy or getting lost. I've got lace panels framing a center section of cables and ribbing. I like the way they are coming out, but am not thrilled with the short-row heel that I'd used. I think I'll do some looking around to find a heel that works better for these socks. Any suggestions? I also don't have a name for these yet, so any suggestions would be welcome.

Note to self: Make sure to write down what you've been doing, so that the second sock will actually match the first.

Finally there is the cashmere I've been spinning. I was able to pick up some incredibly soft and lovely cashmere top, and was trying to spin it for a wedding ring shawl (examples of which are Shetland and Orenburg shawls).

Truth is, it is nowhere near fine enough for that, but it is a good lace weight. The above skein is about 2 oz. (50 g), is two-ply, and is approximately 440 yards (400 meters). It is clear to me that I still have a long way to go before I'm able to ply as well as I'd like to, and before I'll be able to spin for a wedding shawl, but I have decided, overall, to be pleased with this yarn.

I still have another 2 oz. to spin and ply, and then will go in search of the perfect project. If anyone has a pattern they would like to recommend, I am open to all suggestions.

Darning a Sock

I had knit a pair of Jenny Socks out of Crystal Palace Yarns Panda Silk yarn. This yarn is beautiful. It is so soft, and has such lovely drape and luster.

It is not, however, a good selection for socks. The very things that make it lovely to work with, make for socks that will not stand up well to wear. And so, I ended up with a hole on the heel of one of the socks.

Rather than deal with this as I usually due (throwing it away), I decided since I have a darning egg, it was time I used it.

I gathered together the supplies I was going to need: the holey sock, left over yarn, scissors, a tapestry needle, and the aforementioned darning egg.

I turned the sock inside out, and slid the darning egg inside. I positioned it so the rounded edge was centered under the hole.

I cut off a length of yarn (I think it was about 1 1/2-2 ft.), threaded it through the tapestry needle, and began weaving it through the sock. I started both below and after the place where the yarn was broken, and, working from right to left, wove the yarn in using duplicate stitch.

When I reached the hole, I left loops for the stitches that were dropped when the yarn broke. My plan being to basically re-knit this section with the tapestry needle as I was weaving the yarn through to strengthen the area.

I continued doing this process, row by row, working the loops as I came to them,

until the hole was securely closed up. Then I turned the sock right side out to see how it looked.

It's clear that the fix wasn't perfect, but I prefer this look to the usual (and highly visible) method of darning, which entails weaving a patch across the hole.

The repair is not very noticeable when the sock is on, and would be even less visible inside a shoe.

Considering the delicate nature of this yarn, however, I think I'll keep them completely out of shoes and make them house or bed socks.

For any future repairs, I will consult one of these videos first so that my repair truly does end up invisible.

Petits Diamants

Last summer, I went into Michael's Arts and Crafts and saw they had Patons Stretch Socks yarn on sale, so I purchased several balls, each in a different color. My plan was to make one pair of ankle socks with each ball. I made some plain ribbed socks for the first pair, and these are the second.

The pattern is one I improvised, consisting of a lattice pattern on top, stockinette at the toe, heel, and on the bottom, and a 1x1 folded ribbed cuff. They are knitted toe up, with a short-row heel.

These I planned as very short ankle socks, and I definitely achieved that. If I were to do it over again, though, I would have made them a bit longer -- another pattern repeat and a longer cuff.

I really like the color of these (the colorway is Algae), but I have to admit that I'm not a huge fan of this yarn. It's a cotton/wool/nylon/elastic blend that just doesn't have the softness or smooshie-ness that I like in sock yarn.

I have now knit several pairs of socks from yarns that are primarily cotton, and I find that I feel the same about all of them -- the cotton makes them hard on the feet. This disappoints me because wool is very warm, and I live in a very warm climate. I had hoped that the cotton blends would extend the sock wearing weather, and it does, but I find myself reaching for the wool socks first and saving these as a last resort. I also won't wear them if I'm going to be on my feet a lot. I think that wearing them is to the feet what knitting dishcloth cotton tightly is to the hands.

One positive is that I have found socks made from this yarn to be very sturdy and have had no issues with holes.

I really like the patterning on these, and the fit (apart from being a bit short) is perfect. I think I would knit them again, but with a different yarn.

In fact, I don't think I'll be making any more socks out of this yarn. Anyone have any ideas for other projects? I think I still have at least 2 balls in different colors.


Details:
Pattern Name: Petits Diamants
Pattern Designer: Brenda McCunn
Pattern Source: Not available (yet) -- I improvised this design
Yarn: Patons Stretch Socks in the Kelp colorway
Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm) Knit Picks Harmony double-pointed needles

Finally!

Well, I've finally finished the deadline project I was working on.  Okay, I actually finished it on Sunday, but it's been busy around here.  I can't share any of the details yet, but boy am I glad to have it done and out of my life!

So now it's time for me to get started on the other deadline project that I have.  It's a vest that I'm designing for a woman, Bonnie, whose husband won it for her.

Earlier this year, I think it was February, Jay's school golf team held a golf tournament as a fundraiser.  Many individuals and businesses donated money, prizes, and/or supplies -- including me.  My contribution was a gift certificate for a golf sweater or vest, customized for the winner.  Well, the man who won it, Bob, decided that, as a thank you to his wife for supporting him in his love of golf, he would give the sweater to her.

Bonnie came to my house a couple of weeks ago, and we discussed the design details she was looking for, she selected the colors she wanted, and she told me the size she wanted it made in.

I placed the order, and it's now arrived.

Aren't these fabulous colors?!?  The variegated yarn is  Knit Picks Stroll Hand Painted Sock Yarn in the Pony Ride colorway, and the solid is Knit Picks Stroll Sock Yarn in the Agate Heather colorway.

Time to get everything balled up and start knitting.

Sideways Folded Scarf

This scarf was another Knit Picks project.  By the way, have I ever mentioned how much fun it is to be able to knit for them?  Getting to try out different books and patterns, not to mention their fabulous yarns, has really added to my wish list...and stash. 

Back to the scarf.  The pattern comes from Luxe Knits: The Accessories by Laura Zukaite.  It's a simple one page pattern that is very well written and easy to understand.  I don't remember there being any errors in the pattern.

It was an easy, fast knit, using Swish Worsted Yarn in Squirrel Heather and Stroll Sock Yarn in Dove Heather on size US 10 (6 mm) circular needles - I used the nickle plated Options interchangeables.  The Swish Worsted is used to work the folds, and the folds are the rows that took the longest to work as you pick up and knit the picked up stitches with the live stitches to create them.

The fabric between the folds is knit with the Stroll Sock yarn, and goes very quickly on the large needles.  The contrast of the lighter and darker yarns makes it lovely, and the wool yarn makes it warm.  It's also easy care because it's superwash.

Details:

Pattern Name:  Sideways Folded Scarf
Designer:  Laura Zukaite
Pattern Source:  Luxe Knits: The Accessories
Yarns:  Knit Picks Swish Worsted Yarn in Squirrel Heather
            Knit Picks Stroll Sock Yarn in Dove Heather
Needle: US 10 (6 mm) circular needles

The Rosebud Shawl

This beautiful Faroese-style shawl features a rosebud pattern framed in diamonds.  Knit from the lower pointed edge up; the construction is unique in working each individual point in sequence -- somewhat similar to the way that entrelac is worked, but keep in mind the similarity is VERY slight.

 

 
Once all the points are finished, the center gusset and garter stitch side panels are worked simultaneously.  The top border is knit in unwrapped short rows, joining the border with the top edge of the shawl.  Wash, block, et voila!  A lovely bit of lace to wrap yourself in.

Although my description of the process is just a tad confusing ;), the pattern is very well written and easy to follow, but there is a little errata for one of the charts.  Once you have the chart correction, you MUST follow the pattern.  Even when you think it's doing something crazy, trust the pattern.  Then you, too, can have this lovely shawl for yourself.

 
Rosebud Faroese-Style Shawl by Margaret Stove is from the book Wrapped in Lace published by Interweave.

Knit for the July/August 2011 issue of the Knit Picks catalog (where it can be found on p. 5), using Knit Picks Shadow lace yarn in the "Nocturne Heather" colorway.

My Lady

 As I mentioned before, I participated in the "Swap the Seasons" fiber craft swap, hosted by CoggieTM of The High Fiber Diet podcast.  MargoKP kindly sent me the loveliest hank of yarn - StrickenSmitten's Shimmer Glimmer in the Serendipity colorway.

I knew I had to do something special with this yarn, but I wasn't sure what.  Until I found the Lady Magdalene Shawl by Kimberly Delacruz.  Perfect!

I got the pattern all printed up, and did the cast on, then had to set it aside to work on some deadline projects.  Well, I got the "have to-s" all finished, so I came back to this shawl.

The pattern is divided into four sections, which I liked as it keeps it from ever feeling overwhelming.  Knit with a fingering weight yarn on size US 7 needles, the shawl knits up quickly while the finished project is the perfect size.  The charts are clear, easy to read, and, most importantly, error free.

I love this yarn.  The fiber content (50% Merino wool/50% silk) and it's softness, the drape, the color...  It makes me happy just looking at it.  Needless to say, I wanted to use it ALL.  Fearing that I would have quite a bit left over when all was said and done, I added a repeat of chart 2.

Then I began running low on chart 3.

Knowing that I couldn't handle the trauma of ripping all the way back to take out the extra repeat, I began mentally running through my stash, trying to think of something that would go well with it.

I couldn't think of anything. 

I began to plan a trip to my lys to buy some black yarn (which I decided was the perfect complementary color to the green), but decided to do a quick rummage through the stash, just to be sure.  There is was!  The perfect yarn -- Bristol Yarn Gallery's Buckingham in Black!   Sadly, this yarn is now on closeout.  Get some while you still can.  It's truly lovely.

Okay, it was lace weight, but I decided that didn't really matter; I'd simply adjust.  So I did, switching to size US 4 needles to keep the stitches looking even, I knit up chart 4 in the black, knowing that it would all come out in the blocking.  And it did.

Dear Gypsy kindly consented to model it for me, after it was "styled" to her liking, of course.

Gone To Pieces

It appears that everything I'm actively working on right now is knit in pieces, then seamed together.

A LOT of pieces.

Take, for example the Nautical Blanket (this is a Ravelry link, because KP is no longer selling the kit, so it's not on their website), knit with Knit Picks Wool of the Andes:

And that's not even all of the pieces!  It's 27 of the 30 the pattern calls for.

I still have another 3 of the star squares to make. 

Then there's the edging of each square, the seaming, the edging of the blanket, and possibly the addition of some backing material.  Did I mention I'm making this as a Christmas present?  I must maintain my diligence.

I'm also working on two baby blankets.  I VERY slightly modified one of the Nautical squares, and am knitting up each square the same but with complementary colors.  I've decided to call them the Moderne blankets.

I'm pleased with the way each square is coming out, and I think the finished product will be perfect.  They will be a little late, though, as the twins they are for are already about 3 months old.   I LOVE this yarn.  It's Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima, and it's a dream.  Soooo soft and lovely.  It's not like working with cotton at all. 

There is also another secret project that I've finished and will (hopefully) be able to share soon, and another that I'm busy working on.

Speaking of work, it looks like I need to get back to it.

Test Knit: Gallitan Sweater

I'm sure that most of the knitters who stop by here have received their Oct. 2010 Knit Picks Catalog.  Well, you know that gorgeous colorwork sweater on the front?  I didn't knit it, but I did test knit the Gallatin sweater.  I did it in the largest size -- making sure the yarn amounts were correct for the kit.

 

This sweater is knit with Wool of the Andes Bulky.  That means it knits up VERY quickly.  Colorwork?  Intarsia? And quick?  YES!  And the end result was a sweater I think is very beautiful.  Hats off to Nina, for a lovely, well-written, and easy-but-looks-complicated pattern!

The body is seamless, and the sleeves knit separately in the round, until the two parts are joined for the raglan shoulders.

Knit on the collar, do the belt, et voila!

Please excuse the dirty mirror.  My teenage son cleaned the bathroom, and guess what he forgot to do?

Trellis and Flowers Stole

Being both lace and intarsia, this project moved a little more slowly than some.

But it did slowly grow and blossom into a thing of beauty,

and as it did, I fell more and more in love with this yarn

and, specifically, these colorways.  The Alpaca Cloud yarn in Midnight Heather, with its blues, blacks, greens, and purples that really only come out in the sun, like a raven's feathers.  The Tidepool heather, with it's greens, blues, and yellows, has a depth that pictures just cannot do justice to.

This project was a challenge for a few reasons, most of which I hope were corrected by the time the book went to press.  Even so, this project would still be challenging, so if you've never knit lace or intarsia before, I wouldn't recommend starting with this.  If, however, you are comfortable doing both, the final project is truly stunning.

Stunning enough that I'm tempted to knit another one for myself.

To really see it in all it's beauty, do checkout the July/August 2010 Knit Picks catalog, or you can see it on the website.  The photographer did a fabulous job.

Oh, and get yourself some of this yarn.  You won't regret it.