Fast Forward

Yeah, that's it. Let's pretend like we're in The Amazing Race and we've FF through the month of June. I spent the entire month working like a woman possessed to wrap up month end at work so that all of the schools would actually have their invoices before the end of the month so that they can sign off on them for the Board to pay before the new school year starts. In between all of that, including a week of staycation, I worked on the 2nd afghan for Knitty. This was aided by watching 6 seasons of 24 - I seriously love TV on DVD!!! - and by largely ignoring and/or delegating any and all other domestic responsibilities. It was totally worth it though ... you'll see!!
I'm officially a fan of 24 now, season 7 is going to be watched as soon as Wimbledon is over & I can't wait for fall & season 8!
I did learn that fingering-weight, full sized afghans take a lot longer to knit than you might think. I still want to do at least one more, then maybe move on to some worsted weight yarns. I know, but it's a lovable kind of crazy.

Finally though I have knitting that I can share! I have started on a simple mens sweater for an upcoming book from Abrams/STC Craft. I'll share more details when I get them; for now, just a wee picture. I don't think that I will ever fall out of love with my Signature Needles - they bring an extra pleasure to even the simple stockinette stitch.


I'm also working on a Sidecar Jacket for Julie. Yes, that cable is as tight as it looks. The yarn from Spud & Chloe - Outer - is soft & lovely, nothing less than what I would have expected from Blue Sky Alpacas.

Knitting in the Sun

When the snow starts to melt, the days grow longer and May splashing colour across the land a knitters fancy turns towards lighter wares. Not just lighter to knit while catching a few rays on the deck with a drinkie that has an umbrella in it (oops - maybe that's just me), but lighter to wear as well. Said knitter could be caught unawares, scrambling through the latest spring & summer mags, hoping against hope, looking for just the right _________ to go with their summer wardrobe. I know, my heart races at the panic of it!!

to the rescue!!

The patterns are sorted to make your summer/warm weather knitting selection easy - accessories, sleeveless, short sleeves, long sleeves, cardigans and odds & ends. It helps even the most indecisive knitter narrow down the choices. From sun hats to a funky leaf scarf, sweet bathing suits to a beach bag blanket, shoulder-baring tops and calf-skimming skirts, lacy stoles to chill-chasing cover-ups I dare say that no sun-warmed stone has been left unturned to put at our fingertips the perfect summer project.

The projects lend themselves to warmer climes in the fibers chosen - traditionals like linen, silk, cotton are obvious, but then warmer fibers like mohair & alpaca are seasonally appropriate by being blended with soy, silk and linen. When using warmer fibers the garment constructions are looser and airier with lace details that keep them from being heavy while still be excellent chill-chasers for cooler evenings.
I "met" Kristi worked with her on Knitting Patterns for Dummies, so I asked her about the challenges of putting together a compilation of patterns; here's what she said:

"While I've been involved in various guises with collaborative projects, pulling together a collection of patterns from a group of designers was new territory for me, and I was definitely a bit nervous about it at the outset. But I couldn't be more pleased with the results!

Each designer approached the goal of creating something they'd want to wear in warm weather with her own point of view and design aesthetic. I think this makes each piece distinctive and the collection broadly appealing. There are a variety of styles to appeal to women of all ages and body types; there are some projects that adventurous beginners will be able to tackle as well as some that will still bring excitement to seasoned knitters. And there are projects knit in pieces, but also quite a number that feature one-piece construction. Come to think of it, there're pieces that are knit top-down, side-to-side, and even inside-out! That said, one of the things I like best about the collection is how wearable the garments are. I think they're really appealing knits, but also things you'll actually find yourself wearing regularly.

I feel very lucky in that everyone that was involved with Knitting in the Sun was so pleasant to work with. Now that the book is done I don't have to run around knocking wood about it, but, man, what a conscientious, creative, professional bunch! They brought strong ideas to the table, but accepted feedback with grace and were great communicators throughout. I feel like I learned a lot in the process of creating the book, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat."

I love flipping through the pages of Knitting in the Sun; each picture evokes a feeling of summertime, carefree days and a desire to start knitting your way into the new season. The photographs are well shot - casual and easy but giving us what we want, a clear look at the finished project. Nothing appears to be hidden - to the contrary there are plenty of close-ups to get a good look at the shaping and stitches.
The patterns are also supported by clear schematics and charts. Oh - the charts!!! They're not just in the book - they are online & downloadable so that if the cats use your charts for bedding, you lose your chart to the tide at the beach or mark it up beyond usefulness you're just a click away from not being S.O.L.. Good on ya Kristi!!!

I am totally going to knit Anacapa - the cover stole - by Kendra Nitta, Hollyhock, a sweet scoop-neck top by Jairlyn Mason and Anna Maria, a sleeveless form-fitting shell by Carol Feller. I dare you not to find at least one perfect summer project - go ahead, knit in the sun!!

Up next up on the blog tour is Marnie MacLean. Marnie designed the lovely surplice top Aviara, featured in the book.

Ethnic Knitting Exploration - The Blog Tour

Thank you to Donna for including me in the blog tour of her new book, Ethnic Knitting Exploration.

I love books and love my knitting books – patterns, techniques, history & fiction all have spaces on my shelf. This is my first Ethnic Knitting book and given my intense passion for all things historical, thirst for knowledge of all things knitterly I couldn’t wait to see what Donna had uncovered.

I’m more about the hands-on knitting for sampling the world of knitting, hearing the histories from a knitter who tells the story with her hands as much as her words. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised to not have to wade through chapters of dry history with pictures of recovered knitting in various states of preservation to have my appetite whet for more of the Lithuanian & Icelandic motifs! I’m already a lover of all things Aran, so that was like preaching to the choir! The motifs included immediately evoke the feeling of more traditional Scandinavian sweaters and the Lopi “skating” sweaters that I grew up with.

Ethnic Knitting Exploration is an enticing appetizer for colour- and stitch-work while taking the time to explore the sweater shaping of the raglan, yoke & saddle-shoulder.

What I seriously love is that Donna has stocked the pantry with the ingredients and recipes to take this appetizer and make oneself a banquet! With so many “how to” books for knitters I am very impressed with the ground work that is laid for knitters who want to design their own sweater (or fingerless glove, or capelet or poncho). She has taken into consideration varying skill and comfort levels for those new to designing and has detailed worksheets where you can just drop in the numbers -which she explains very clearly how to get – and you can work from a schematic, step-by-step plan or a planning sheet for counters like me who work it all out ahead of time.

The technical drawings and swatches are clear, the graphs are easily read and the sketches are whimsical – I didn’t even miss the colour included in most books that, as Donna mentioned somewhere (it escapes me …), increases publishing costs and can distract a knitter/designer from their own vision.

Ethic Knitting Exploration is just that – an invitation to join Donna in her love and discovery of knitting traditions, explore them and make them your own.

For more information about Donna and all her books, check her out Sheep to Shawl and her blog. You can also find out about the other blog stops on the tour and get more insight into Donna, her Discoveries, Explorations & Adventures!

Knit One Below

Okay, I didn't go to TNNA but I know someone who did. Elise Duvekot was at the XRX booth with samples from her upcoming book. I've had to keep the projects under wraps for a long time, sharing only the mostly fuzzy and useless of pictures. Now I can reveal the poster that XRX had (in gigantic form) in their booth, previewing some of the projects in the book.

Are you ready for this?!?

knit one below TNNA poster - Upload a Document to Scribd

Read this document on Scribd: knit one below TNNA poster

I know that I'm only a teensy bit biased, but isn't it gorgeous!??! I knit that block sweater!!! Also the sweater that you only see the sleeves of (it's actually inside out in the picture - still looks amazing!) and the little orangey square at the bottom is from a silk camisole.
The book is listed on Amazon.com with a preview cover that may or may not be the final cover. I am so excited for this book to hit the streets - a fascinating technique supported by clever and inspiring designs.

Update: Elise is at Stitches Midwest and will be in the XRX booth with the garments from the book and demonstrating the technique.

And - the cover has been finalized!

knit one below cover - Upload a Document to Scribd

Read this document on Scribd: knit one below cover

I swear - I am getting all verklempt!!

If you're going to Stitched Midwest, please stop by the booth and say "hey" to Elise for me. She moved back to Holland a few weeks ago and though we've talked on the phone I really miss her.

TNNA - XRX poster

Sorry - be back soon!