tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47981050147234935102024-02-20T02:30:32.478-08:00- = S P L E N D O R = -Davitronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399675811197816592noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4798105014723493510.post-13487578692295068112010-04-04T15:05:00.000-07:002010-04-04T15:06:58.755-07:00The Sum of Our Splendid Parts<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Davitron and & I (TricotChico) have realised that, though we're definitely on the same page as friends, we're going in slightly different directions creatively. We still have a project or two that have been in development for a while & that we want to collaborate on, but in the meantime, we've decided to publish our patterns individually, rather than as a Splendid duo.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Naturally, you'll continue to see the same innovation & style from us that you've come to love, though it may be presented in slightly different ways. You are welcomed & encouraged to follow our individual journeys via our respective blogs, linked here: <a href="http://blog.gogodavitron.com/">Davitron (David Castillo)</a> & <a href="http://tricotchico.blogspot.com/">TricotChico (Homero Luna)</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Yours in yarn,</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The Splendor Boys</span></div></span>TricotChicohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945843275410908129noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4798105014723493510.post-64385996250484200952010-03-05T15:45:00.000-08:002010-03-05T16:02:35.611-08:00Pattern Sneak Peak - Schmidt<div style="text-align: justify;">TricotChico and I (GoGoDavitron) have been working super hard the last couple months preparing some fall knits for you guys. We're super excited to bring these to you, and I'm even more excited to share a sneak peak with you!</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLvFkLGzzSA6No_1tC02x-IFgwgMs6LvavT8Bv95Rd7sj4LrJWKMO2Khqd5bjrAmmTzBMBGl_1oUJDy-kKHGhOxWDt7_5deq1JVRAAcSWMsY3W8-DvhmlAH2pQ9XnM5r5Z-UxpJoymuI8/s1600-h/R1-+1.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLvFkLGzzSA6No_1tC02x-IFgwgMs6LvavT8Bv95Rd7sj4LrJWKMO2Khqd5bjrAmmTzBMBGl_1oUJDy-kKHGhOxWDt7_5deq1JVRAAcSWMsY3W8-DvhmlAH2pQ9XnM5r5Z-UxpJoymuI8/s320/R1-+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445301383529237138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Pattern: </span>"Schmidt" by David Castillo for Splendor (on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/schmidt">ravelry</a>)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Yarn:</span> Fibra Natura Shepherd's Own in colorway 40004<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Needles:</span> Addi Turbo circulars, US4</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px; "><b>Gauge:</b> 5 sts/inch in stockinette</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Schmidt is part of a collection of argyle-reminiscent knits. That is, instead of making colorwork argyle, these patterns will feature textural argyle. This particular vest features the textural argyle as the central motif, but also has very flattering ribbing at the sides as well as a shallow v-neck treatment, allowing for maximum comfort. This vest is intended to be dressed up or down, As comfortable at church as it is enjoying a picnic in the park!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-size: 16px; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-BB9KOQPi6T-90E8GGKrehdwVPGvdBm5bf58y7iepryyS6p9v6ZTx-LrIjPzhXQrcO5Rn8lQyDwLdcyZ9R9TQtfYiY9tFHrRlNHeW5ToIfUreIFAkQoqdtsOM9UeRZEq6pusgEyYeZ3M/s1600-h/R1-14.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-BB9KOQPi6T-90E8GGKrehdwVPGvdBm5bf58y7iepryyS6p9v6ZTx-LrIjPzhXQrcO5Rn8lQyDwLdcyZ9R9TQtfYiY9tFHrRlNHeW5ToIfUreIFAkQoqdtsOM9UeRZEq6pusgEyYeZ3M/s320/R1-14.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445301390105641602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 216px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">This pattern will become available for purchase via Ravelry this spring - plenty of time for fall knitting, and will definitely give you plenty of time for Christmas knitting! Don't worry, we'll remind you as soon as it's available!</span></span></div>Davitronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399675811197816592noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4798105014723493510.post-37619744487050298892010-02-19T00:00:00.000-08:002010-02-19T00:14:14.194-08:00Whirlwinds!<div style="text-align: justify;">Wow guys! I feel like things are really picking up in splendorland as we are both happily stitching our ways to some exciting fall knits we're almost ready to share with you! In the meantime, we're trying to put ourselves out on the internet just a little bit more and let you know what's going on with us!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">First up on the "what's been going on"-o-meter is my (Davitron's) interview with the PDX Podcast, <a href="http://knithappensshow.com/">Knit Happens</a>! Michelle and Kristen were a hoot to be interviewed by, and I had a blast seeing the <a href="http://pdx.fm/">PDX.fm</a> studios. You can hear the interview in it's entirety <a href="http://knithappensshow.com/2010/02/17/knit-happens-episode-10/">HERE</a>. the asked me allllllll sorts of questions about my design proclivities and my history as a knitter and what it's like to be a male knitter. Give it a listen!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpAhCDLqMD67sNaVOQAi0ngIm8zfZAuA3vgfEsOogsHsk2Kzrb-0caTFR1A-ogc1PN-wj-geVQ0YVT9dj-1VK8mqJBNOZyixcnxnkRHlwzhXLh_d_k800NgRdmm7_x2KmiIyGaEB3kTY/s1600-h/3954717392_d416ce4628.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpAhCDLqMD67sNaVOQAi0ngIm8zfZAuA3vgfEsOogsHsk2Kzrb-0caTFR1A-ogc1PN-wj-geVQ0YVT9dj-1VK8mqJBNOZyixcnxnkRHlwzhXLh_d_k800NgRdmm7_x2KmiIyGaEB3kTY/s320/3954717392_d416ce4628.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439864493303014626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Do you guys remember <a href="http://blog.splendorknitting.com/2009/09/sneak-peak.html">Peppermint Patrick</a>? Of course you do. Well, the pattern is available as part of a most excellent kit from a fabulous local business, <a href="http://www.krafti-kit.com/">Krafti-Kit</a>. They purchase kits from independent and often local designers to sell on their website. Lots of fabulous yarns and patterns are available through them - so check it out! You can find the Peppermint Patrick kit <a href="http://www.krafti-kit.com/products/Peppermint_Patrick_Hat_Kit-11-1.html">HERE</a>. It's only available in the colors shown in the sample, but it's cool cus they're my favorites anyway :)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have to get back to my furious knitting and technical editing, so that's all for now! Happy stitching everyone!</div>Davitronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399675811197816592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4798105014723493510.post-89444050723004188642010-02-10T14:29:00.000-08:002010-02-10T23:33:56.846-08:00NYC-volution<div style="text-align: justify;">I sometimes joke that I knit this sweater five times. That's an exaggeration to be sure, but not a complete exaggeration. Disclaimer: the following is a peek at one man's descent into sweater-knitting-induced madness! Thanks to Steven for taking these pictures, and for allowing his lovely apartment to serve as a backdrop for the photos.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFvYmzVbuzdKBUK63uM9heK-jdtVtrcwN9GQuqW12RvbzEQglwqoiGwmuAr0Vp2tqGdMCAAI6tBBUNatorH9lRwG9h_A03CD3upbfnEnz_xsbA-RPpPBRch4rBlviM6QRKlIRlcOn71YZ/s1600-h/IMG_0070.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFvYmzVbuzdKBUK63uM9heK-jdtVtrcwN9GQuqW12RvbzEQglwqoiGwmuAr0Vp2tqGdMCAAI6tBBUNatorH9lRwG9h_A03CD3upbfnEnz_xsbA-RPpPBRch4rBlviM6QRKlIRlcOn71YZ/s400/IMG_0070.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436848714069868562" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern: </span>Seamless Hybrid Pullover with Shirt Yoke Back by Elizabeth Zimmerman<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn:</span> Cascade 220 Peruvian Highland Wool in RUBY<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles:</span> Addi Turbo circulars in sizes US4 and US7<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgG07WDyV3lGTOrJh3ditxvkl1vfDnPhDLT0Mu7PTAaMkawNFq0PceOKpCNL6aZU3loJHhsLldC4tSaB9-o_JU4yvbi1Z_8MDDcoXQBVx1FHVCqidQz2Lizt6ljbGgJ2P4Xvpq_7znOKL/s1600-h/IMG_0072.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgG07WDyV3lGTOrJh3ditxvkl1vfDnPhDLT0Mu7PTAaMkawNFq0PceOKpCNL6aZU3loJHhsLldC4tSaB9-o_JU4yvbi1Z_8MDDcoXQBVx1FHVCqidQz2Lizt6ljbGgJ2P4Xvpq_7znOKL/s400/IMG_0072.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436849120588989426" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">As is usual for me, I started out with a very clear idea of what I wanted. I had become enamored of this shade of red from Cascade 220 and wanted a sweater made from it. It would be a Seamless Hybrid with a Shirt Yoke back, and I would use <a href="http://blog.splendorknitting.com/2009/05/manhattan-project-part-i-tale-of.html">tubular cast-ons</a> and bind-offs for the edging. The fit I wanted was pretty clear to me, but I didn't have any other sweaters that fit the way I wanted, so I couldn't measure one of those (as Liz Z. recommends). Armed with my actual chest measurement and info from a few different sources on how sweaters "should" fit, I did my calculations and cast on.<br /><br />The ribbing got ripped out a couple of times, and after I'd knit it (30 rounds, as Liz Z suggests) and a couple of inches of the body. First I was doing a 1x1 rib, then I decided that didn't look right, then I switched to 2x2 and decided I liked the way it looked, but wanted to go down a needle size for the ribbing, even though I was already using a needle a couple of sizes smaller than what I'd use for the body (as is customary). I also discovered that using a year-old hat as a gauge swatch was not a good idea, as my gauge had changed. Once I got that sorted out, I knit almost the full length of the body, tried it on, and decided there was <span style="font-style: italic;">way</span> too much ease in it for me. I think I had 1" or 2" of positive ease. I ripped back to the first row after the ribbing and decreased until I had 1" of negative ease. Just right!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmpCGhOS2XHERgLLjy9U_DmXQLtovlizEBKlnfUKFw-fBqtt8JKPJdO63uSJvCzeyz0MM8eDT2Ed3C4R0yO_52AcojOZVegfxHac2xNfqvFBnamA7kgot5pCa5jwAtcbFCZy5zjcqJkVE/s1600-h/IMG_0019.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmpCGhOS2XHERgLLjy9U_DmXQLtovlizEBKlnfUKFw-fBqtt8JKPJdO63uSJvCzeyz0MM8eDT2Ed3C4R0yO_52AcojOZVegfxHac2xNfqvFBnamA7kgot5pCa5jwAtcbFCZy5zjcqJkVE/s400/IMG_0019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436848709615043730" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The sleeves & shoulder shaping were pretty straightforward, but when I tried on the fully-knit sweater, I noticed an issue with the ribbing at the hem (see pic above). I had knit the 30 rounds that Liz Z recommends, though I discovered an unflattering effect of doing so. Since her sweaters fit a bit differently than mine, she probably never saw this issue. The ribbing (I think it was 4" wide....or tall....whichever...you see the issue) accentuated my tummy as it stretched over the lower edge of it. Not flattering. Not even a little! My solution was to cut the ribbing off, unravel it to about 2", and knit in plain stockinette up from there. Once that was done, I grafted the ribbing back to the body of the sweater, as you can see below.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyHZpgnZPLXb2A0GiY5fRYvGPHeeVyCIEJj3RX5U5mO4qSSvua5htY_ExnayX_XdkoiNS4gXgnw9jtg4Ji5Mz7bnFGL80UpVSAGXP7U_cbPh2wfoyMfixKH9qgPcJwO5qk5CQASs1_slaF/s1600-h/IMG_0058.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyHZpgnZPLXb2A0GiY5fRYvGPHeeVyCIEJj3RX5U5mO4qSSvua5htY_ExnayX_XdkoiNS4gXgnw9jtg4Ji5Mz7bnFGL80UpVSAGXP7U_cbPh2wfoyMfixKH9qgPcJwO5qk5CQASs1_slaF/s400/IMG_0058.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436848722875380258" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">For the initial sleeve/body decreases (the ones you make in the armscye before you make the "saddles" across the shoulders) I used the one that Elizabeth notes as a sort of alternate double decrease in <span style="font-style: italic;">Knitting Without Tears</span>: <span style="font-style: italic;">"work to within one stitch of the marked stitch, slip marked stitch & the one preceding it together as if to knit, knit the next stitch, pass both slipped stitches over it. This forms a very attractive chain running up the decrease line."</span><br /><br />Indeed, it does. I think this is the decrease most often used here when people make this sweater, and with good reason. It's so pretty!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUDwZZDcF6HNf0o-ACp7Vt2xto01ss3ls9LLwxR6WhU_1OonPUytav67xuoX3elpqqIii4m2e-es5rYWxlhyphenhyphen5iSLTGI_1Bjh0Z3eU-aHSh3qsjCWBBsgREdDnHHsZEREtHp8KEWfZiNWVX/s1600-h/IMG_0062.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUDwZZDcF6HNf0o-ACp7Vt2xto01ss3ls9LLwxR6WhU_1OonPUytav67xuoX3elpqqIii4m2e-es5rYWxlhyphenhyphen5iSLTGI_1Bjh0Z3eU-aHSh3qsjCWBBsgREdDnHHsZEREtHp8KEWfZiNWVX/s400/IMG_0062.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436848727406314562" border="0" /> </a><br />To get the tubular edge on the collar, I decided to knit the ribbed collar separately, then graft it to the collar of the sweater. There were a few moments when I was sure I was insane for trying this, or that it would somehow come out looking nothing like what I'd hoped for, but look! It's amazing--if I do say so myself!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzscDBj6P3JpaQhZogiIfXP-3c320mHnue02L5AjCjjzAQZVWD0Llp7Qh3vntdVZsE5KazZzymqXLq3-iSvRObPEXMLJP818lfM2TaB6FdG6TH6sUFTJksLziDMKKmUFLedzQyP606kYu/s1600-h/IMG_0067.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzscDBj6P3JpaQhZogiIfXP-3c320mHnue02L5AjCjjzAQZVWD0Llp7Qh3vntdVZsE5KazZzymqXLq3-iSvRObPEXMLJP818lfM2TaB6FdG6TH6sUFTJksLziDMKKmUFLedzQyP606kYu/s400/IMG_0067.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436849116150127010" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The fabric of yoke across the back was strangely mis-shapen when I finished knitting; it was what I called "poochey"--it bowed outward and looked a little over-sized and like it wasn't quite the right size piece of fabric for where it was meant to be. Granted, this was only a small issue, and the kind of thing a lot of people would probably not noticed, but...see previous re: obsessive knitter. I hear (after all is said & done), that people sometimes decrease a few stitches as they approach this bit, in order to adjust for the difference in height vs width in a knit stitch. For mine, though, it fortunately smoothed out to suit my tastes with nothing more than a basic blocking.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45qQGiRWULonrAa7aD3sGJlF-7C1UfmtoTDo6Ii9rqP4UkatWr46f1fBiTic9MgHFSijy4rK_6gzaXrsNQoDEEpNY8wwJgXsUP6IWF9NgoQZW75vC-0T38oIN-osODvu4e8RQrReNsH6f/s1600-h/IMG_0064.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45qQGiRWULonrAa7aD3sGJlF-7C1UfmtoTDo6Ii9rqP4UkatWr46f1fBiTic9MgHFSijy4rK_6gzaXrsNQoDEEpNY8wwJgXsUP6IWF9NgoQZW75vC-0T38oIN-osODvu4e8RQrReNsH6f/s400/IMG_0064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436879191857170370" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I like how this picture makes it look like I have some kind of athletic "V" shape to my back or something, but I assure you it's all trickery of the camera angle and fancy lighting.<br /><br />I've worn this sweater quite a bit, though. I've also decided that I most definitely need more hand knit wool sweaters!<br /><br />And now...we can all get back to our knitting.<br /></div>TricotChicohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945843275410908129noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4798105014723493510.post-29811764807451381252010-01-10T03:42:00.001-08:002010-01-10T04:23:25.307-08:00Short Rows Wavy Hat by Lee MeredithThis one is a relatively old knit...in fact, I think it might be a year old now, but I've finally gotten around to getting photos and so it's show-and-tell time!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75z70XzsaI1FZxAMMNJJnrMs1pZJtxoV36sXIkktp5a2QKvYvvJc1VtnG0r_TIStpkfhK4e62PbK85X3szwoKZKRWhjVpCx_arTUDDisviJYi6m6GODTQM9y_wUhOPQpaJ5jds3fhcYcJ/s1600-h/Short+Rows+Wavy+%2818%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75z70XzsaI1FZxAMMNJJnrMs1pZJtxoV36sXIkktp5a2QKvYvvJc1VtnG0r_TIStpkfhK4e62PbK85X3szwoKZKRWhjVpCx_arTUDDisviJYi6m6GODTQM9y_wUhOPQpaJ5jds3fhcYcJ/s400/Short+Rows+Wavy+%2818%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425075628212734658" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern:</span> <a href="http://www.leethal.net/patterns/shortrows.html">Short Rows Wavy</a> Hat by Lee Meredith<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn: </span>Malabrigo Merino Worsted in Black and Pearl Ten (grey)<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles: </span>Addi Turbo Circulars in size US8<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I remember seeing Lee's orange & green sample on display for a while at <a href="http://twistedpdx.com/">Twisted</a> <a href="http://twistedpdx.com/"></a>in Portland, OR and I was really intrigued (enthralled, fascinated, obsessed with...you get the idea) by the wavy stripes.<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span> I chose black & grey for mine (naturally) in remnants of yummy, soft, smooshable Malabrigo Merino wool that I had leftover from a couple of different projects.<br /><br />The wavy shaping of the fabric is achieved with some really clever use of increases, decreases, and short rows. The hat is knit flat, so it's a very simple and natural option to create stripes by changing colors at the beginning of every right-side row (if striping is your goal).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGPaMWSdzon8J10iGFSX8syVp2GcQ96rj7Z_FksC8vENfiuAFeUmlhFfVUhxV3nSjdSyPHpsQd8P-J0XJJyqI3OIpwkAwc1tgECDjzOKO1cCr8z2T5ISBlxSn_KzyHk_cU-9pLNZS2qte/s1600-h/Short+Rows+Wavy+%288%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGPaMWSdzon8J10iGFSX8syVp2GcQ96rj7Z_FksC8vENfiuAFeUmlhFfVUhxV3nSjdSyPHpsQd8P-J0XJJyqI3OIpwkAwc1tgECDjzOKO1cCr8z2T5ISBlxSn_KzyHk_cU-9pLNZS2qte/s400/Short+Rows+Wavy+%288%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425075620082862818" border="0" /></a><br />I used the provisional cast-on/kitchener close option for knitting this hat (one of the options described in the pattern). I planned to knit the hat at a slightly tighter gauge than indicated in the pattern, though, so I added a few stitches to add the necessary length and knit more wedges to add circumference. I remember taking very good notes, but they've disappeared into the ether somewhere. I believe I added 6 or 8 stitches, spread out over several "sections" of the pattern, and I knit 13 wedges total.<br /><br />To be completely honest, David ultimately completed the kitchener stitch finish for this one. I finished the knitting before I had ever tried kitchener myself, and everyone made it sound so scary! By now I've done my share of kitchener stitch, and I kind of wonder what everyone was complaining about, but whatevs. For this project, David was visiting one day and noticed that the fully-knit hat was still sitting (unseamed) in my project pile (one of many). Out of some kind of frustration (and maybe a desire to practice his kitchener stitch skillz?), he picked it up and made short work of the seam (which looks great, by the way; I can't even locate it to get a picture of it now).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZO-QjYye-bcDeKGb9TRxZmYZvUvL26mU5J2Z7Z98vWkJuE3PpLgG1dvobSjY4Yac4mhkyqQ0CYCB4BdrUScBYDMWloWF2_MLw1nHO0TevXFSH7jSatpc-3L9Bpkzs65cCeRrU-e11zaI/s1600-h/Short+Rows+Wavy+%2813%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZO-QjYye-bcDeKGb9TRxZmYZvUvL26mU5J2Z7Z98vWkJuE3PpLgG1dvobSjY4Yac4mhkyqQ0CYCB4BdrUScBYDMWloWF2_MLw1nHO0TevXFSH7jSatpc-3L9Bpkzs65cCeRrU-e11zaI/s400/Short+Rows+Wavy+%2813%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425075626322332706" border="0" /></a><br />This was one of those projects that's a sheer pleasure to knit because it takes shape before your eyes as you work. I was really delighted to see the curve of the fabric come about as I knit each wedge, and the gentle variegation of the grey Malabrigo definitely adds interest. Each grey stripe is completely singular, as the lights and darks play off each-other.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMumFHE9-UYh0UrmHPgpJyWImy_mJzkUbsv9BVqLuHn3f8IfQ2Mngdq2OcN8MKEseWLa9wzHtf1vupfPOKQLrDzIKImHK6pMN4hCYsr-YQgPXbysANnGMQEcCGX7M1w2ibaT07BCnJM15u/s1600-h/Short+Rows+Wavy+%284%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMumFHE9-UYh0UrmHPgpJyWImy_mJzkUbsv9BVqLuHn3f8IfQ2Mngdq2OcN8MKEseWLa9wzHtf1vupfPOKQLrDzIKImHK6pMN4hCYsr-YQgPXbysANnGMQEcCGX7M1w2ibaT07BCnJM15u/s400/Short+Rows+Wavy+%284%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425075615992466066" border="0" /></a><br />I love how this is the sort of project that can take on a very different look, depending on the colors you choose for it. I have plans to knit one with black and orange (like a tiger--RAWR!!!) and one with black as the main color and multi-coloured neon stripes. We'll see how that goes, though. Stay tuned!<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>TricotChicohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945843275410908129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4798105014723493510.post-54937917930828205712009-12-28T23:32:00.000-08:002009-12-28T23:58:10.386-08:00Worldwide Splendor<div style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;">Such exciting things are happening over here! You may remember our <a href="http://blog.splendorknitting.com/2009/10/props-for-splendor-updates.html">previous post</a> in which we mentioned some of the exposure and love we'd gotten by getting mentioned in other blogs & forums. Well, it's just! Getting! Better!<br /><br />The <a href="http://blog.splendorknitting.com/2009/09/wild-thing.html">Wild Thing hoodie</a> has recently been featured on <a href="http://weloveyouso.com/2009/12/gingerbread-sweaters-and-weddings/">WeLoveYouSo.com</a>--a fanblog dedicated to the <span style="font-style: italic;">Where the Wild Things Are </span>book & movie. It was incredibly flattering to discover this, somehow. I think the extra flattery (for me) lies in the fact that, since this is a fan site, the interest & excitement are coming from fellow nerdy fans--and I mean that in the most becoming way possible. I mean, I definitely count myself as part of that group!<br /><br />In addition to this, we've been getting visitors from a couple of websites that appear to be Japanese (<a href="http://bbs1.nazca.co.jp/">http://bbs1.nazca.co.jp/</a> and <a href="http://p2.2ch.net/">http://p2.2ch.net/</a>), which is also flattering and very curious. Neither of us is able to read any Asian language, so if you can help us discover how we're mentioned on these sites, we'd be most appreciative. Regardless, though, it's incredibly nifty to know that there is interest in our little blog all over the World!<br /><br />Speaking of global interest, a Francophone reader recently offered to translate the pattern for <a href="http://blog.splendorknitting.com/2009/10/natural.html">The Natural</a> into French, and this translation is now available <a href="http://melusinetricote.canalblog.com/archives/2009/12/27/16291926.html">here</a>! Many thanks to <a href="http://melusinetricote.canalblog.com/">Mélusine</a> for this translation! I also hear that an Italian translation of the pattern is in the works. <span style="font-style: italic;">HOW COOL IS THAT!?</span><br /><br />We'd both like to extend a warm Thank You to all of our readers for showing us love in all the ways that you do. Stay tuned; there's more super fun knitting in the works!<br /></div>TricotChicohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945843275410908129noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4798105014723493510.post-8321236515293572352009-12-10T08:05:00.000-08:002009-12-10T12:15:38.339-08:00Visual Texture<div style="text-align: justify;">I'm not gonna play; I'm one of <span style="font-style: italic;">those guys</span> that knitters complain about: I unabashedly enjoy stockinette sweaters in grey, blue, or black...maybe with a stripe across the chest? [<span style="font-style: italic;">full disclosure: I mostly choose greys or black, which means that most of my 'sweater quantities' of yarn are varying shades of grey, with an occasional bundle of black yarn</span>]<br /><br />However, I don't believe that stockinette fabric needs to be boring to look at, so I bring you examples of yarn with what I call Visual Texture. These are just a few examples of swatches I've been playing with that use yarns which create interest without a complex stitch pattern.<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mULoUkf1BXFG-0Af8CYjovP0Z88d3_jXCFiuVUPNBjA4UA8F3b3Bd4WSpKfsqO27rq2JhvUD_b84BlAyjX9ETtr0Cuk8lY_AjIa9-4Z2MG_hwO3bbRsMwiCMcz2mI5sXx8fOBv3cv2Rx/s1600-h/Mermaid+%2810%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mULoUkf1BXFG-0Af8CYjovP0Z88d3_jXCFiuVUPNBjA4UA8F3b3Bd4WSpKfsqO27rq2JhvUD_b84BlAyjX9ETtr0Cuk8lY_AjIa9-4Z2MG_hwO3bbRsMwiCMcz2mI5sXx8fOBv3cv2Rx/s400/Mermaid+%2810%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413664047323800546" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn: </span><a href="http://www.universalyarn.com/quality_color.php?quality=129">Fibra Natura <span style="font-weight: bold;">'</span>Mermaid</a></span><a href="http://www.universalyarn.com/quality_color.php?quality=129">'</a> <span style="font-style: italic;">in colorway 'Turkish Tile'</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The interest in this yarn is the result, in part, of its composition. The blend of pima cotton, superwash Merino wool, seacell, and silk creates subtle variances in tone, as the different fibers absorb dye to varying degrees. On top of that, the silk and seacell give it a really yummy sheen. Seacell is made from cellulose (read: wood pulp) and seaweed, and the buzz is that the seaweed content transfers nutrients when worn against the skin (osmosis FTW!!!). Between that and the lovely feel of the yarn and fabric, I'm bent on uncovering the manly accessory that I'm sure is hidden in a ball or two of this fab yarn.<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDmK-rk84m6jlM6XNB0EbIH1dJBlA6FWwX7-urtFXp-kOz4MGY_vvd0VllOVdICY24MyAK2adCpOHd-sevSNzH5P1QEmcFvnjDbb2445ozv9e7qG_r1s5SrF4r3SNap_WLtil4PLbQFwZ/s1600-h/Holiday+%283%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDmK-rk84m6jlM6XNB0EbIH1dJBlA6FWwX7-urtFXp-kOz4MGY_vvd0VllOVdICY24MyAK2adCpOHd-sevSNzH5P1QEmcFvnjDbb2445ozv9e7qG_r1s5SrF4r3SNap_WLtil4PLbQFwZ/s400/Holiday+%283%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413660005764607202" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn: </span><a href="http://www.universalyarn.com/quality_color.php?quality=202">Universal Yarn Classic Worsted Holiday</a> in colorway 'Silver Bells'</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;">Ok, I give! I'm easily distracted by shiny objects! I don't know that there's anything guy-friendly waiting to happen with this yarn, but I do enjoy the challenge of looking for it. This machine-washable (79% Acrylic, 19 % Wool, 2% Glitter) yarn has a metallic element with a shine that's hard to resist. That, alone, is really enough to give some 'oomph' to a piece of "plain knitting". I'm showing the Reverse Stockinette side of this ribbed-border swatch to demonstrate how simply displaying the side of the fabric that we don't normally see can create some intrigue. What <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> that pebbley fabric, anyway? Right? <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEide9_7M78nebbjUVH5txrZrSu2cH1aOOThMtvJeGHR_iAUfnUybHbFw35jw8nl-u46z8dxYtpQghW0m3FcjP2ou7g84sE-rvkadu1bNnD7zneERtQVeJ0ZqL9fhRq5I7NEnNsGehj154Kt/s1600-h/City+Tweed+HW+Orca+%282%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEide9_7M78nebbjUVH5txrZrSu2cH1aOOThMtvJeGHR_iAUfnUybHbFw35jw8nl-u46z8dxYtpQghW0m3FcjP2ou7g84sE-rvkadu1bNnD7zneERtQVeJ0ZqL9fhRq5I7NEnNsGehj154Kt/s400/City+Tweed+HW+Orca+%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413659995610182706" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn: </span><a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/cfyarns/yarn_display.cfm?ID=5420183">KnitPicks City Tweed Heavy Weight</a> in colorway 'Orca'</span><br /></div><br />Here is another yarn whose mixed fiber content (Merino wool, superfine alpaca, & Donegal tweed) contributes to multi-tone appeal. Tweedy yarns, in general, are great for visual interest, as the tweedy bits--usually multicolored, and typically brightly-hued--break up what might be an otherwise-solid (or -semisolid) fabric. In this case, though, I really appreciate that the 'tweeds' are neutral tones. Davitron and I are of two minds on this one, but I truly enjoy the visual appeal of tweed without the distraction of bright colors amidst grey or black yarn.<br /><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIWit5JH6oL0J3o_1e3sV5d1o7Jlds3QD-QxS_3MyWuxdTSyMy8qKll5cHbQLEE5EuV4HGesG-XKf8CVZMyQGPV03PQSFOFE6Zn7oDD4mz9rUz7uB8M2vepCkiE8GA_BoMdJmUBWQpsGv/s1600-h/Oak.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIWit5JH6oL0J3o_1e3sV5d1o7Jlds3QD-QxS_3MyWuxdTSyMy8qKll5cHbQLEE5EuV4HGesG-XKf8CVZMyQGPV03PQSFOFE6Zn7oDD4mz9rUz7uB8M2vepCkiE8GA_BoMdJmUBWQpsGv/s400/Oak.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413660013262545090" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn: </span><a href="http://www.universalyarn.com/quality_color.php?quality=122">Fibra Natura 'Oak'</a> in colorway 'Pewter'</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This swatch (that looks like it's on its way to becoming a scarf, no?) illustrates that very complicated stitch patterns are not necessary to create very interesting fabric. You can see in the ball (background...a little bit) that the yarn itself (a blend of linen, silk and superwash Merino wool) has a respectable amount of color variation going on in it. Here you can see seed stitch (center), sandwiched between ol' reliable garter stitch (above & below the seed stitch sections), and at the top and bottom there's a very simple stitch pattern that I've been thinking of a lot lately. It's a variation on the Mistake Rib stitch that might actually have a name, though I'm unaware of it. The stitch pattern repeats over a multiple of 3 stitches, and you just knit 2, purl 1 on both sides of back-and-forth knitting. I added a slipped-stitch edge to my swatch, though, cuz I'm fancy like that! :o)<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthyphenhyphenGratYBBHP64ZWyCzRfg8PfFLWpco1Um-cD7zbX9RNIHctCr1fQIzBKw3OizRin9XRf-eqNaAzCqkj6lbERP_HWWiFnGEn-CVFM5YDPkCKQqJANgz7t7ldcuAil93f8gaoazyrY7kiN/s1600-h/hats+n+stash+%2818%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthyphenhyphenGratYBBHP64ZWyCzRfg8PfFLWpco1Um-cD7zbX9RNIHctCr1fQIzBKw3OizRin9XRf-eqNaAzCqkj6lbERP_HWWiFnGEn-CVFM5YDPkCKQqJANgz7t7ldcuAil93f8gaoazyrY7kiN/s400/hats+n+stash+%2818%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413659998961378322" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn: </span><a href="http://dreamincoloryarn.com/index.html">Dream In Color Classy</a> in colorway 'Cocoa Kiss'</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Just when it's starting to seem like the only way to get visual interest is to blend some fibers, here's an example that is pure, delicious superwash Merino wool. Dream In Color's Veil Dying process and color palette create some pretty freakin' amazing yarns! Cocoa Kiss is an example of one of their yarns that combines different hues artfully to create a pleasing color combination, but you can bet your biddy that I have a sweater quantity of yarn stashed in their newer 'Grey Tabby Cat' colorway! Whether you're talking about one of their semisolids or multi-hued colorways, though, the gorgeously subtle variations in color create a lovely 'textured' fabric out of plain ol' stockinette fabric.<br /></div>TricotChicohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945843275410908129noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4798105014723493510.post-91819023943417886202009-12-01T23:23:00.000-08:002009-12-02T09:28:30.599-08:00Sakura<div style="text-align: justify;">Hullo there!<br /><br />Wow, it's been quite a month. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">TricotChico</span> and myself have been hard at work writing patterns and preparing info for test knitters! (also, if you're interested in test knitting, comment below with your e-mail address, or find one of us through the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ravelry</span> links on the sidebar)<br /><br />First I need to say a huge thanks to all of you find folks who visit us regularly, or send your friends over here or just find us randomly, some how, through the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">magick</span> of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Internet</span>. You may have noticed an interruption in the presence of our blog recently. You see, thanks to all of you lovely readers, we exceeded our monthly bandwidth for the first time! In all the excitement, I forgot to buy the next hosting package up, and VOILA - interruption. But we're back up and running! Thanks for sticking in there!<br /><br />A couple months ago, a good friend of mine at <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/">Knit Picks</a>, Kate, offered me an opportunity to be part of their new Independent Designer Program. Their format was incredibly unique, and frankly, groundbreaking. Their program puts 100% of pattern revenue in the hands of the designers. If you're at all familiar with how a lot of magazines work, I'm not going to sugar coat it for you - a lot of them don't look out for the designer's interests (lots of other designers, like <a href="http://www.modeknit.com/2009/10/hell-no.html">Annie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Modesitt</span></a>, have written fantastic blog posts explaining this situation) You can understand why i was excited and wanted to be a part of this program.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTGUIbnbvwHcNuGdyZJ0es9xPejWtgtB-kyxIkp2b6jNqxo8dQN0LgNMKtdpp-s4zxR2sW0gmDPZltL8OmEC-Ld8oytDvnBHKZa-J3Z1ucqcuh1f0HvVKBzu5d6gvnRVZU-kvxlPsPpA/s1600-h/sakura.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 248px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTGUIbnbvwHcNuGdyZJ0es9xPejWtgtB-kyxIkp2b6jNqxo8dQN0LgNMKtdpp-s4zxR2sW0gmDPZltL8OmEC-Ld8oytDvnBHKZa-J3Z1ucqcuh1f0HvVKBzu5d6gvnRVZU-kvxlPsPpA/s320/sakura.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410538671428230098" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern:</span> <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/patterns/Sakura_Hat_Pattern__D10007220.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Sakura</span> </a>by David Castillo<br />$1.99 on the <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/patterns/Sakura_Hat_Pattern__D10007220.html">Knit Picks Pattern Store</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn:</span> Knit Picks Gloss <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">HW</span> in 'Aegean'<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needle:</span> US8<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This hat was knit from an idea <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">I've</span> had kicking around in my head for a while. It was nice to finally take some time and work it out. I have also knit a very <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">serviceable</span> prototype out of Cascade 220 that is equally fabulous.<br /><br />Let me talk for a second about the yarn used in this pattern, though. A lot of people tend to associate inexpensive yarn with low quality, which i can understand but I'm always saddened by this dismissal. Gloss is an incredibly affordable yarn while maintaining an excellent quality! I had no issues with this ball of yarn, it was spun nicely and evenly, no excessive knots (<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">I'm</span> not sure if there was any knots, actually). On top of that, the fiber blend is delightful! It's 80% Merino 20% Silk. Absolutely fantastic.<br /><br />That little gush-session/commercial aside, This hat is a great, quick knit - Excellent for all that Christmas knitting you need <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">to get</span> done! The decreases include a few twisted-stitch cables, which provide you with the chance to try out some cabling without the daunting task of knitting an all-over cable pattern. On top of that, when you finish of this hat you're going to feel like a super clever knitting rock star!<br /><br />Again folks, thanks for all the visits! It's been so exciting to watch the blog stats and see so many people enjoying what we put out there.<br /></div><br />Happy Stitching!<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Davitron</span><br /></div></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Davitronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399675811197816592noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4798105014723493510.post-37015513439085902992009-10-30T03:25:00.000-07:002009-10-30T04:14:57.037-07:00Dia de los Muertos!<div style="text-align: justify;">Happy Halloween and Feliz Dia de los Muertos to everyone! There are lots of reasons these holidays are among my favorites, but do you really need a reason to love a holiday centered around playing dress-up and eating candy!? True, Dia de los Muertos isn't <span style="font-style: italic;">quite</span> like that, but nosotros Americanos get the best of both, que no?<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfePfS2hWARboD4Eh6BO7A5iYrHU82RbptD3JSgaGf4vDvu1chYbRslp9VeAcGM9kUE1-hXi4wrVHsoIrzIYvfHPb6nezWcqWbRzBJHa_OI3tbWlOCQR9v3_Uh_wPJIkF4J2eXkBeB_2Va/s1600-h/IMG_0083.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfePfS2hWARboD4Eh6BO7A5iYrHU82RbptD3JSgaGf4vDvu1chYbRslp9VeAcGM9kUE1-hXi4wrVHsoIrzIYvfHPb6nezWcqWbRzBJHa_OI3tbWlOCQR9v3_Uh_wPJIkF4J2eXkBeB_2Va/s400/IMG_0083.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398339795492599970" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">There are lots of <a href="http://manoamano.us/">Dia de los Muertos Festivities in NYC</a> this year (as, I'm assuming, there are every year), not to mention the <a href="http://www.halloween-nyc.com/fact_sheet.html">Halloween Parade in Greenwich Village</a> and general mayhem that will undoubtedly ensue (and I use 'mayhem' in the most endearing of ways--Witch's Honor!), so I decided it would be fun to make myself a Dia de los Muertos-style Mexican Sugar Skull Tote to carry the sundries that I'll need with me for these celebrations.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEmn3BUkAvE1A2RKkuTNUPdN8oFBKwfS008Q8kDTEOdvGYqM6w2PVjyL9GhWsLDz92Xn1kY1bj5FtNzd4nuMnr4DNSYfhs8nKiV5wNohZHVXKN_k0XmO1QmJWZPnXuOZqIOtPvoM4qBQW/s1600-h/IMG_0092.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEmn3BUkAvE1A2RKkuTNUPdN8oFBKwfS008Q8kDTEOdvGYqM6w2PVjyL9GhWsLDz92Xn1kY1bj5FtNzd4nuMnr4DNSYfhs8nKiV5wNohZHVXKN_k0XmO1QmJWZPnXuOZqIOtPvoM4qBQW/s400/IMG_0092.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398338839599268530" border="0" /></a><br />I thought it would be fun to use Calavera (one of <a href="http://blog.splendorknitting.com/2009/06/knits-of-living-dead.html">my Living Dead Dolls</a>, pictured in the first photo) as the inspiration for my tote, though the project sort of led itself after a while, as creative projects are wont to do. I started with a plain white canvas tote bag, some black kraft felt, & some Aleene's Tacky Glue, then went stash-mining for other bits that could be used for decoration.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKID097OTa3UPpLPU1dR_4LrOPYjlPWLCYnNTDAkxT7fvhI9de7vdhcRp7HD4iWh8FQrjS8raehfyapmuRKf1IiwkZfG8KQqzDGc3SujLcteXVtAwD_Cf246CShNauHtj-61mPHDjCAnn/s1600-h/IMG_0102.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKID097OTa3UPpLPU1dR_4LrOPYjlPWLCYnNTDAkxT7fvhI9de7vdhcRp7HD4iWh8FQrjS8raehfyapmuRKf1IiwkZfG8KQqzDGc3SujLcteXVtAwD_Cf246CShNauHtj-61mPHDjCAnn/s400/IMG_0102.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398339044563920034" border="0" /></a><br />I sketched out the 'framework' of my design on the totebag (it didn't erase very cleanly, and you can see it if you look closely; I probably should have used fabric chalk), then traced stencils for the felt bits onto some paper. After using these to cut the eyes, nose, and forehead medallion out of black felt, I glued them into place, then began gluing yarn in place for the features, and embellished with silver-lined glass seed beads. Don't the red ones look like pomegranate seeds? Mmmmmmm, pomegranate....!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8Rg7EpKs-dejprHGxccLmeXwiriJsXdBcXrRod180G8CPT2HWNc2bu_x5TCkCOJkyts5n8_Wbbd31rPQDxxKMFdtySrS92wc9Sm_Aj6joJE1D0SOis7TvnnufZCg05AM-DIZOI_esdPG/s1600-h/IMG_0097.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8Rg7EpKs-dejprHGxccLmeXwiriJsXdBcXrRod180G8CPT2HWNc2bu_x5TCkCOJkyts5n8_Wbbd31rPQDxxKMFdtySrS92wc9Sm_Aj6joJE1D0SOis7TvnnufZCg05AM-DIZOI_esdPG/s400/IMG_0097.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398338852418086882" border="0" /></a><br />This was definitely a very last-minute project, as I just thought of it today, and I wouldn't really have time to work on it again before these holidays start. If I were to make another, though, I think it would be a good opportunity to give <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Couching">couching</a> a go, and it's definitely a good start for some actual beading. I understand that using glue is rather <span style="font-style: italic;">persona non grata</span> in the beading world; hopefully my naivete will save my future reputation in this case!<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqlnvwy8HmTbL-CPqWH9o55GejHs2CrcJyA5PU6Q181zuwy_5irEqPDvdNUSm9rWnLMUTt3XBM7qQ17rZmphiT4Z0e-rX5JVUrFA-o4wYcyMZdmzJ6TlTCWrIVVL8Yb3T99iJ9gGQcPJ9/s1600-h/IMG_0101.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqlnvwy8HmTbL-CPqWH9o55GejHs2CrcJyA5PU6Q181zuwy_5irEqPDvdNUSm9rWnLMUTt3XBM7qQ17rZmphiT4Z0e-rX5JVUrFA-o4wYcyMZdmzJ6TlTCWrIVVL8Yb3T99iJ9gGQcPJ9/s400/IMG_0101.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398338855219913682" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Aside from the out-and-out radness of being a fun crafty project, I liked this one because I was able to do it for so cheaply! The yarn is Red Heart Sport yarn that I bought on clearance as a dewy-eyed newbie--before I realised I don't like knitting with acrylic yarn--and it's been sitting in my stash since. I inherited the seed beads from a friend who was cleaning out some of <span style="font-style: italic;">her</span> craft stash. I initially had another use for them, but that project has fallen by the wayside, so they were more than available for this one.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkXpqRT5MCmPKxS0u6ECA-FNbyXTocoAsJGSLh8Bjy70SdjHueRLGqn5UQ5_qbtJVRtUVzd8zigqea4fOTQraYCmahFNoBSyUrPSZlzYT1yCd6ILk3nOLjiCbcKqoYMWn5qrkUs5RNtW7/s1600-h/IMG_0095.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkXpqRT5MCmPKxS0u6ECA-FNbyXTocoAsJGSLh8Bjy70SdjHueRLGqn5UQ5_qbtJVRtUVzd8zigqea4fOTQraYCmahFNoBSyUrPSZlzYT1yCd6ILk3nOLjiCbcKqoYMWn5qrkUs5RNtW7/s400/IMG_0095.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398338849242629234" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">In all, the only purchases I made specifically for this project were the blank tote bag ($3.99) and the kraft felt ($0.30 per sheet--I bought two, but ultimately used only one). Really, there are only so many ways to have hours of fun for less than $5.oo, and I just discovered another!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mnWKdXZXDov1sG8R12scJzwaoOIhP7l5i2EVb8nWBRbqiLDkwoI9HNHSrp5Htz-GQBWSG0-FcsR9OTsAmmA0cWtne061xgm_ELfqxdxB8RCOPgrYjOGwAzAjqkw2PTUVnurjDoL5lpSc/s1600-h/IMG_0091.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mnWKdXZXDov1sG8R12scJzwaoOIhP7l5i2EVb8nWBRbqiLDkwoI9HNHSrp5Htz-GQBWSG0-FcsR9OTsAmmA0cWtne061xgm_ELfqxdxB8RCOPgrYjOGwAzAjqkw2PTUVnurjDoL5lpSc/s400/IMG_0091.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398338832663373218" border="0" /></a><br />Now there's just one question on Calaverita's mind: Trick? Or treat?TricotChicohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945843275410908129noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4798105014723493510.post-39919875414261479222009-10-24T16:09:00.000-07:002010-04-04T18:15:44.526-07:00The Natural<div style="text-align: justify;">The Splendor Boys are on a roll! It's exciting to have so much in the way of new knitting projects and patterns to show you, and it's <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span> exciting to think about what we have in store. I can gleefully assure you that there are more than hats on the way, and more than a few things that are as exciting to knit as they are to look at!<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fW5Unod2HwYpv8fO4M6i3AHISSDydRAIGHuOM5h9RpISpWmbkPq5nZNFYtRzDJqsBSU3PlnZbRYdpCIcxDGpoWS65OftH1iJXTeAYCWjl-6CkTSdaVFaTjX_LUDEiHtq9elwabENeysc/s1600-h/The+Natural+Edit+%2814%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 388px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fW5Unod2HwYpv8fO4M6i3AHISSDydRAIGHuOM5h9RpISpWmbkPq5nZNFYtRzDJqsBSU3PlnZbRYdpCIcxDGpoWS65OftH1iJXTeAYCWjl-6CkTSdaVFaTjX_LUDEiHtq9elwabENeysc/s400/The+Natural+Edit+%2814%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396329723610576162" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern: </span>The Natural -- a Splendor Knitting pattern by Homero Luna<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn: </span>Jamieson's Shetland Heather in Charcoal<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles: </span>Addi Turbo Circulars in Size US7<br /></div><br />This hat combines basic cabling and great yarn for a look that is classic, wearable, and satisfying to knit. It's pretty much a natural progression from your first hat to something a little more challenging, but not so much so that it's completely overwhelming. The Shetland wool--much heralded for its durability by Knitting Demigod Elizabeth Zimmerman--is definitely sturdy, though it softens considerably into "I could wear this on my head" comfort with a gentle wash. I personally really enjoy heathered yarns for the way they add visual texture and interest while still being 'calm' enough to not overwhelm or obscure a cable or lace pattern. You can pretty much bank on seeing more use of heathered yarn from this knit-whit. But back to the hat...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOW9Sk5IAlUaObDDE5K4ZSTCV-Z4Ks2e9v6q1iIofdlJuDr2CBDBl6X4ObkoNOO4FjFWD-wac7vgH2eOycdWJv8w0ZE1dPWju1Onj4XqH-HQ5xcqTOamuILGQkIo8AO2jGU21y1DTZRBh/s1600-h/The+Natural+edit+warm+%288%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOW9Sk5IAlUaObDDE5K4ZSTCV-Z4Ks2e9v6q1iIofdlJuDr2CBDBl6X4ObkoNOO4FjFWD-wac7vgH2eOycdWJv8w0ZE1dPWju1Onj4XqH-HQ5xcqTOamuILGQkIo8AO2jGU21y1DTZRBh/s400/The+Natural+edit+warm+%288%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396330653811865490" border="0" /></a><br />As mentioned above, this hat was envisioned as a transition between basic stockinette or ribbed patterns and cabling, and it uses one of the simplest cable patterns around. There are actually three 'versions' of the cable used (all explained in the pattern notes), as the decreases are done 'in pattern' and the cabled sections become narrower in the crown shaping.<br /><br />I enjoy knitting in the round to the extent that I don't knit flat unless there really is no other way to accomplish what I want by knitting in the round--obsessive a bit, I know. The good news, though, is that hats are perfect for round knitting. I'm also an avid proponent of Magick Loop knitting, so naturally the sample shown was knit with that method. Some early versions of this hat were knit on double-pointed needles, though, and the cable pattern repeats over eight sections, so it could easily be divided over some DPN's, if that's your preferred method of round knitting.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwkEPIYwfsQXANMea1B-Rp0KL1hSMfVVbCJ3IROKYj0wcJje82a49CQIo_KpsZEyUB3XhCVKscHDIszV7SFnPJGBK8MQ0L7dsmA858EMXaqIWFry8g7_sjSow_uR8ex59fTSXJjCF26DA/s1600-h/The+Natural+edit+%2824%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwkEPIYwfsQXANMea1B-Rp0KL1hSMfVVbCJ3IROKYj0wcJje82a49CQIo_KpsZEyUB3XhCVKscHDIszV7SFnPJGBK8MQ0L7dsmA858EMXaqIWFry8g7_sjSow_uR8ex59fTSXJjCF26DA/s400/The+Natural+edit+%2824%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396329725276497826" border="0" /></a><br />This version is, naturally, written to cover my rather-large head (and my super-thick curly hair. I'm not bragging, I promise; it's kind of a pain to deal with, but I digress...), though the ribbing and cabling make it comfortable for a range of head sizes. The un-stretched circumference is approximately 14", and it fits my 24" head, so it will comfortably conform to any size in between. The pattern also includes an option and instructions to make the hat a bit shorter--which is a consideration for smaller head circumferences. In short, this hat will most definitely fit you--<span style="font-style: italic;">and look great!!!</span><br /><br />You can download the pattern PDF for The Natural free from the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/stores/homero-luna--david-castillo-designs">Splendor Knitting Ravelry Store</a>, or by clicking the download button below. As always, you don't need to be a <a href="http://ravelry.com/">Ravelry</a> member to download here, from our blog.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.ravelry.com/dls/homero-luna--david-castillo-designs/24113?filename=Splendor_Knitting_THE_NATURAL.pdf"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 60px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOCT7xroprmFuHDMCtv2Ey5_Sbj8Ly0zFIqcxiLX7iqZBtOj6tolO4NG2_IyWhMeL73uev6wEL0F5PqMq5KsMhGyqVS4Nu6pRmXahLnAKmxW6D28TMM-_GAeLV-ksyV512ioAFUQpM1QZ/s400/download_free_button_rav.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396333796975565090" border="0" /></a><br />Happy knitting, everyone, and stay tuned for more good stuff coming soon!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">UPDATE 11.12.2009:</span> We've posted a revised version of the pattern. The updated pattern includes some clarification on the cable repeats and we fixed a bit of errata in the crown shaping section. When you download now, your document name should be "Splendor Knitting THE NATURAL V2.1"; this is the updated copy.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">UPDATE 12.29.2009: </span>Les explications sont aussi disponibles <a href="http://melusinetricote.canalblog.com/archives/2009/12/27/16291926.html">en français</a>. Merci beaucoup a Marina Orry pour faire et oufrir cette traduction sur son blog!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">EDIT:</span> Visit <a href="http://tricotchico.blogspot.com/">TricotChico.blogspot.com</a> for more knitting patterns by Homero Luna.<br /></div>TricotChicohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945843275410908129noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4798105014723493510.post-40201518839188873132009-10-19T16:43:00.000-07:002009-10-19T17:20:01.711-07:00Props for Splendor & Updates<div style="text-align: justify;">Hello to all of you out there in the blog-o-verse! The past few weeks have been serendipitous and exciting and BAM! Here I am to tell you about it!<br /><br />Firstly, Splendor has gotten a couple of mentions in other blogs. <a href="http://blogs.discovery.com/nerdabout_new_york/2009/10/knitted-halloween.html">Here we are</a> featured with several other fun knits in Discovery Channel's Nerdabout NY blog. The post is about DIY Knitted Halloween costumes, so they shared our <a href="http://blog.splendorknitting.com/2009/05/because-every-pandemic-needs-some.html">Swine Flu Masque</a> and the <a href="http://blog.splendorknitting.com/2009/04/knitting-is-so-metal.html">Viking Toque</a> I knitted for my friend Corey.<br /><br />More recently, we got some English luv when <a href="http://www.simplyknitting.co.uk/">Simply Knitting</a>--a UK-based knitting magazine--shared a review of our blog. It's mildly amusing that they have Davitron and I both living in NYC, but I understand that it's not really clearly stated anywhere that this isn't the case. Just to clarify: Davitron lives in Portland, Oregon (a.k.a. 'PDX'), which is where all the knitting began. Well, not <span style="font-style: italic;">all</span> the knitting, but the knitting related to Splendor, anyway.<br /><br />Finally, we wanted to give you an update on <a href="http://blog.splendorknitting.com/2009/09/sneak-peak.html">Peppermint Patrick</a>. We've been considering varied options for making this pattern available, and are pleased to announce it will be available as a kit soon! Stay tuned for more details on this, and other Splendor patterns slated for release soon.<br /><br />Yay knitting!<br /></div>TricotChicohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945843275410908129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4798105014723493510.post-22983785458254623242009-10-11T19:23:00.000-07:002009-10-11T21:52:07.493-07:0032,000 & Then Some<div style="text-align: justify;">Some of my favorite crafty moments are when I get to use a technique in a way other than the way it's typically used. This one isn't really earth-shattering--it will, decidedly, <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> rock the knitting world--but it was enjoyable, shows the benefits of the techniques used, and it's probably not the way projects like these are typically executed.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJEvd4SbrDRqoWcJj7HT-jRE4g9NzaXue4cvGl1xVNhXMpEZFljPzF4KKeapcCPRjkDRThi3Hjg4y7tklsCHANwdEwZAfowHSJM8-Mu5VH3pclH0qxSnHj7V-GshVLZRdGe9BhB4pl7W3/s1600-h/Cascade+Gryffindor+%282%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJEvd4SbrDRqoWcJj7HT-jRE4g9NzaXue4cvGl1xVNhXMpEZFljPzF4KKeapcCPRjkDRThi3Hjg4y7tklsCHANwdEwZAfowHSJM8-Mu5VH3pclH0qxSnHj7V-GshVLZRdGe9BhB4pl7W3/s400/Cascade+Gryffindor+%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391568064361705666" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern: </span>Gryffindor House Scarf by <a href="http://knit.atypically.net/scarves/hogwarts/pattern.shtml">Lauren Kent</a> (also published in <span style="font-style: italic;">Charmed Knits</span>, edited by Alison Hansel)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn:</span> Cascade 220 in Red (color #2413) and Gold (color #7827)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles: </span>Addi Turbo Circulars in size US7<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">It's true, I already have such a scarf--it was my first "real" knitting project, and it does its duty by being easily recognisable as a Gryffindor House Scarf, <span style="font-style: italic;">but</span> I just needed a new one. See, when I knit that first scarf, I wasn't used to wearing scarves, so I didn't yet realise what makes a good, wearable, comfortable scarf. My first one is a cotton/angora blend, chosen mostly because it was the only yarn the shop had that came in both the colors I needed. After wearing the cotton scarf for a couple of seasons, I've come to realise that cotton is heavy (relatively speaking) & not very warm (yay wool!), ergo I obviously needed the same scarf, but in a wooly variety!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekswtuFysST7xFzOEqElQNPuoviuJhJfVVuZiuxhds-4RDBuens2CnCMdw1o-04jSxkfGsXNidC964xntvRIXRlBT9LB7LT6cXCqdycRvrTVeXZo6sBKzljcmWLXR1hPoIoJunQZEcEuA/s1600-h/Cascade+Gryffindor+%285%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekswtuFysST7xFzOEqElQNPuoviuJhJfVVuZiuxhds-4RDBuens2CnCMdw1o-04jSxkfGsXNidC964xntvRIXRlBT9LB7LT6cXCqdycRvrTVeXZo6sBKzljcmWLXR1hPoIoJunQZEcEuA/s400/Cascade+Gryffindor+%285%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391568077537844914" border="0" /></a><br />I like the wide-striped version because I think of it as the 'original' version. Truly, it is; even before the movies, etc, this is the style used in the art for the books and other fan paraphernalia. Nerdy, I know, but what can you do? Knit a new wool scarf, <span style="font-style: italic;">that</span>'s what! Conveniently enough, I needed a project to work on while I watched <span style="font-style: italic;">Lost </span>(which I had never watched before and decided to view from the very beginning this summer), and few things are more perfect for something like this than stockinette in the round. I mean, <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span>, isn't that the definition of "mindless knitting"?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf69jSTcmuwPGyfGXOgdTCbrTn_5MqTmVEz5SZ-4DxYkcz31L6R9o_pfMbIfDOUjWxi3LS8N0RwlrFG6VItFAdn2V2xP0ylWtTd628O1pgBWnKtMolXQgE5XNuulg_-0fx3b6-QPc9wKT2/s1600-h/Cascade+Gryffindor+%287%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf69jSTcmuwPGyfGXOgdTCbrTn_5MqTmVEz5SZ-4DxYkcz31L6R9o_pfMbIfDOUjWxi3LS8N0RwlrFG6VItFAdn2V2xP0ylWtTd628O1pgBWnKtMolXQgE5XNuulg_-0fx3b6-QPc9wKT2/s400/Cascade+Gryffindor+%287%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391568091306232194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">a close-up view of the Magick Cast-On edge</span><br /></span></div><br />The 'unconventional parts of this project are really only the beginning and end. I used Judy's Magick Cast-On for the beginning, and then grafted the end closed. It might seem superfluous to make such an effort for the beginning and end of a scarf that will have tassels on it (yet to be added), but sometimes 'can' most definitely means 'should'! Besides that, it really was good practice for these techniques, and gives me an opportunity to show how great they are at doing what they are meant to do, which is to make a seam all but disappear. You can see in the pictures that my grafting technique (at the time) could use a wee bit of practice, but this will likely resolve itself with a nice, gentle wash anyway.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5BhUa9CpZPKrnNx45FHSZdXgATagpBHMJcjayF_b7wuFMjTT_Q2O7moxcBViQUak9wJbdZ62GJ67CJnj2gb0pTbzqJesSnxdQM8JnLj8A274NtrGs7vUFchfi4lUS2KDUxl83cjqTJOI/s1600-h/Cascade+Gryffindor+%288%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5BhUa9CpZPKrnNx45FHSZdXgATagpBHMJcjayF_b7wuFMjTT_Q2O7moxcBViQUak9wJbdZ62GJ67CJnj2gb0pTbzqJesSnxdQM8JnLj8A274NtrGs7vUFchfi4lUS2KDUxl83cjqTJOI/s400/Cascade+Gryffindor+%288%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391568202818052370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">a view of the Cast-On edge (r) and the grafted "finished" end (l)<br /></span></span></div><br />I had every intention of making this according to pattern other than not using long-tail cast-on and the usual bind-off method (I'm sure you can appreciate how difficult that was for me), but decided to knit 21 stripes, rather than the recommended 19. The curious, and slightly bored, part of my brain that wonders about such things decided to calculate how many stitches this would represent, and the answer was 32,340 (=70 sts x 22 rounds of each color per stripe x 21 stripes). Ultimately, though, I decided I wanted an even <span style="font-style: italic;">longer</span> scarf, and didn't stop knitting until I had completed 23 stripes. Oops.<br /><br />Until next time, friends, remember: <span style="font-style: italic;">Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6YNYqufbAG9_mQRtW9eMexkY_fQGqHx3mtMZMXBW7AxTYxnAH9to__HDgb7Hqk-uP714359px5tebgE2KTnWwVltXzz8gef05ZAcdlPBbaOscEKryUuOy21J4K_hcKYtOGjfWUNj3yC1/s1600-h/Cascade+Gryffindor+%283%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6YNYqufbAG9_mQRtW9eMexkY_fQGqHx3mtMZMXBW7AxTYxnAH9to__HDgb7Hqk-uP714359px5tebgE2KTnWwVltXzz8gef05ZAcdlPBbaOscEKryUuOy21J4K_hcKYtOGjfWUNj3yC1/s400/Cascade+Gryffindor+%283%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391568066139057234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >busted! my fancy fake light-box setup is really<br />a chair next to the kitchen window!<br /></span></div></div>TricotChicohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945843275410908129noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4798105014723493510.post-84800270416908381062009-09-25T18:04:00.001-07:002009-09-25T19:09:11.636-07:00Sneak Peek!<div style="text-align: justify;">As many of you know (especially you oregonians) this weekend is <a href="http://www.flockandfiberfestival.com/">Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival</a> at the Clackamas County fairgrounds in beautiful Canby, Oregon.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have had the pleasure and fortunate to have spent time working with both Stevanie Pico and <a href="http://www.mthoodfiber.com/">Deb Accuardi</a>, who have formed a new company called <a href="http://www.picoaccuardi.com/">Pico Accuardi Dyeworks</a>. Stevanie is a very very talented dyer, who specializes in natural dying. She's like a sorceress with plant matter! There have been many times I've walked into her studio and been <b>CONVINCED</b> the yarn i'm looking at must have been dyed with acid dyes. She assures me no such deception has occurred and that her yarns are as natural as they are wonderful.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Together we created the pattern I'm previewing for you today. </div><div><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32829877@N08/3954717392/" title="peppermintpatrick2 by - = S P L E N D O R = -, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3479/3954717392_d416ce4628.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="peppermintpatrick2" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Pattern</b>: Peppermint Patrick - A Splendor Pattern by David Castillo</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Yarn: </b>Pico Accuardi Naturally Dyed Soft Touch in </div><div style="text-align: center;">"Sumptown Brown"</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Bleeding Heart"</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Thai Mango"</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Rodger's Midnight Dancing"</div><div style="text-align: center;">&</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Columbian Sunset"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Needles:</b> US4 (i knit so insanely loose, don't even ask. you need at least an 8)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32829877@N08/3953936813/" title="peppermintpatrick1 by - = S P L E N D O R = -, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2524/3953936813_e00b7a9002.jpg" width="500" height="378" alt="peppermintpatrick1" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This pattern will soon be for sale through our blog and ravelry, but for now it's only going to be available at the <a href="http://www.picoaccuardi.com/">Pico Accuardi Dyeworks</a> booth at OFFF. Once the festival is over, we'll be posting it for sale here, so keep an eye out! And for you splendorfiends who live in Oregon and are planning to go to OFFF, stop by the booth, say hi, take a look at the pattern and tell them how much you love us! ;) Okay, i'm only being a little cheeky. but still. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Have a great festival, everyone!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Davitronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399675811197816592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4798105014723493510.post-56389612141835887532009-09-18T19:49:00.000-07:002010-04-04T18:18:03.057-07:00Wild Thing!<div style="text-align: justify;">"And now...let the wild rumpus start!" I don't think there's a more perfect way to introduce this (surprisingly highly-anticipated) pattern! It's been incredibly exciting to work on, and it's <span style="font-style: italic;">finally</span> ready to share with everyone!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HCvTTJhEj1apu3tsoGfLJv3C6EVsJTZRAjH7DTbaPTzjTMeHUHzvuGPVLsn3cbRfExNq_hNRJ41rWiYFx32aeOd06BtbDmAtElvWYymCJr79IyJJPTZWn8PApk1rSPpfzAHS2hTIX_UW/s1600-h/homero_14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HCvTTJhEj1apu3tsoGfLJv3C6EVsJTZRAjH7DTbaPTzjTMeHUHzvuGPVLsn3cbRfExNq_hNRJ41rWiYFx32aeOd06BtbDmAtElvWYymCJr79IyJJPTZWn8PApk1rSPpfzAHS2hTIX_UW/s400/homero_14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383010469189902210" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern:</span> Wild Thing (by me for Splendor Knitting), shown in size 44<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn: </span><a href="http://www.universalyarn.com/index.php">Universal Yarn</a> Deluxe Chunky in "White Ash" & "Dark Oak" & GGH Lara in color 17<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles: </span>Addi Turbo Circular needles in sizes US7, US9, and US10.5<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBW4ShHcpxJsVzfzlKKbAqJKExaObHUbQIe59iygcu9s2klJPL9cW9e51HPB_Mxt_23-ncLBxW65KDtMaIkPF_LgKM1Y4mOxswPEFR-iEQz1YN42RZbgroY-7ZVWgq0lAArjewOM75V4ce/s1600-h/homero_12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBW4ShHcpxJsVzfzlKKbAqJKExaObHUbQIe59iygcu9s2klJPL9cW9e51HPB_Mxt_23-ncLBxW65KDtMaIkPF_LgKM1Y4mOxswPEFR-iEQz1YN42RZbgroY-7ZVWgq0lAArjewOM75V4ce/s400/homero_12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383010466836422098" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This seamlessly-knit hoodie is available in nineteen sizes, from infant to the largest Adult size with a 56" finished chest measurement, all in one PDF (download links at the bottom of this post). It's pretty much an expression of the kind of thing that can happen when my inner dork gets knitting needles and yarn in his hands. It's also an expression of me finding a way to share my love for knitting, despite my selfishness as a knitter.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrWuO65qjJ4u9lw_6AZkfLoXZZUpE3cUOMisN2GHbLbGdcq1gkVSuMWduV3J3gnCu70Lo9cS58fHCyiTHxDt5xFmauG_mvwFxHy9jihiqNa7kndkSBSBovRZoE_GMWO-cJd6OtdGP5LE5/s1600-h/homero_8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrWuO65qjJ4u9lw_6AZkfLoXZZUpE3cUOMisN2GHbLbGdcq1gkVSuMWduV3J3gnCu70Lo9cS58fHCyiTHxDt5xFmauG_mvwFxHy9jihiqNa7kndkSBSBovRZoE_GMWO-cJd6OtdGP5LE5/s400/homero_8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383010014385577586" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">When I saw the trailer for the upcoming <span style="font-style: italic;">Where the Wild Things Are</span> movie, I was enthralled by the look of the Wild Things, the world they live in, and the feel of the movie in general. Not to mention my longtime big love for the song <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEKC5pyOKFU"><span style="font-style: italic;">Wake Up</span></a> by Arcade Fire (featured in the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0b-Nh7AYjtE&feature=video_response">movie preview trailers</a>). Seriously, that song has what I consider to be one of the best lyrics of all time: "...children, don't grow up/ our bodies get bigger, but our/ hearts get torn up". Is there a more poignant way to describe growing up?<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pEq0VpZRpVNYzdyE0dQf8jIEqQnjhPoExISjF5d8ErNrtmJPFmmaw0-_78PPCXRtBw-kbKxq0phWQ-gWIbyIF_G9T8OhY0mbn886xBNg1fXdONhqfyvoaNCUup41AHjpfPDhHUf5Xse_/s1600-h/homero_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pEq0VpZRpVNYzdyE0dQf8jIEqQnjhPoExISjF5d8ErNrtmJPFmmaw0-_78PPCXRtBw-kbKxq0phWQ-gWIbyIF_G9T8OhY0mbn886xBNg1fXdONhqfyvoaNCUup41AHjpfPDhHUf5Xse_/s400/homero_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383010006688051394" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">But, I digress...I (and probably just about everyone within about 15 years of my age) grew up with <span style="font-style: italic;">Where the Wild Things Are</span> as a part of my life. Whether you read it as the the story of a boy whose imagination gets the better of him, or the story of a boy who uses his imagination to make the best of things, a lot (a lot, a lot, a <span style="font-style: italic;">lot</span>) of us count it as our favorite children's picture book. Naturally, the movie trailer made me realise it would be super awesome to have a Rumpus Suit of my very own.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFRV3Rs7d9kcxzw56enVCgBLqJQ1kya9WeDGTBXv0TxL7IV8q9whi5v1eQgsKb6K87NsdLqYi3vcFFjSo6qulWh5-0xe73-NT1cU2rRB6sJWZ40zd1PNhkppBobHYsv0QZ4bmAZuG3o37/s1600-h/homero_3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFRV3Rs7d9kcxzw56enVCgBLqJQ1kya9WeDGTBXv0TxL7IV8q9whi5v1eQgsKb6K87NsdLqYi3vcFFjSo6qulWh5-0xe73-NT1cU2rRB6sJWZ40zd1PNhkppBobHYsv0QZ4bmAZuG3o37/s400/homero_3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383010012131096322" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">At the core of things, I'm an ethical slacker. This isn't to say that I don't care about what I do, but that I don't believe in using more steps than are absolutely necessary. This is one of the many reasons I love working with seamless sweater construction, and that's what I've used for this hoodie. The body is knit flat and the arms are knit separately, but in the round, so that when it's all joined to knit the yoke (which continues up to the hood), there are as few seams as possible. In this hoodie, you really only have the underarms and the top of the hood to graft together. The ears and tail are knit separately, naturally, though they are still knit in the round.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEt6op9dnKHuQZ0WZ_gaQINoYJaD2yFrF3QmJzQ1EckFZKunQ_JWytNBQVE1Wmbm3PkFTZ_jk7UpLgXWo6o7nO2C4unUg2QZi42e7ak95dRzyzlwZqtrW9CDWSBjye5hi48G3pY5jLXHL/s1600-h/homero.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEt6op9dnKHuQZ0WZ_gaQINoYJaD2yFrF3QmJzQ1EckFZKunQ_JWytNBQVE1Wmbm3PkFTZ_jk7UpLgXWo6o7nO2C4unUg2QZi42e7ak95dRzyzlwZqtrW9CDWSBjye5hi48G3pY5jLXHL/s400/homero.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383009993777737730" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I prefer knitting with animal fibers, so I used <a href="http://www.universalyarn.com/quality_color.php?quality=46">Universal Yarn's Deluxe Chunky</a> (100% wool), but their <a href="http://www.universalyarn.com/quality_color.php?quality=136">Classic Chunky</a> is a machine-washable alternative (for the smaller sizes, Universal Yarn <a href="http://www.universalyarn.com/quality_color.php?quality=15">Classic Worsted</a> is a machine-washable alternative to the 100% wool <a href="http://www.universalyarn.com/quality_color.php?quality=44">Deluxe Worsted</a> I have listed in the pattern). The best part is that all their yarns can be ordered right from their website! Seriously, I love mail-order. It's always best when I order several things, so when I go to pick it up at the post office, it's still a surprise to see exactly what came in!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2nHlxdxHRyPMw_ZkOJn5F0Tm6jKLwSWZ4fJ-q-6o_ndiWwX7WaPsYL2JTTaspQJIUykHFPEGXEoJ6HX_pbALCyTVTrvnRP-Np6pIA6MDp9sREAZDf3hXnHuDj0_hCM1IAL4jm3lJUuaO/s1600-h/homero_10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2nHlxdxHRyPMw_ZkOJn5F0Tm6jKLwSWZ4fJ-q-6o_ndiWwX7WaPsYL2JTTaspQJIUykHFPEGXEoJ6HX_pbALCyTVTrvnRP-Np6pIA6MDp9sREAZDf3hXnHuDj0_hCM1IAL4jm3lJUuaO/s400/homero_10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383010463418331058" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">It's true, "there is one in all of us"...some more than others.<br /></span></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This pattern is available as a FREE download from the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/splendor-knitting/patterns">Splendor Ravelry Store</a>. If you're not a Ravelry member yet, you can also download the pattern for FREE right here on the Splendor Knitting Blog by clicking the button below:<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.ravelry.com/dls/homero-luna--david-castillo-designs/22402?filename=Splendor_Knitting_WILD_THING_Hoodie_Pattern.pdf"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 60px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGLydcql-ASNbx865LHEXT6X2Wlij-5x6X5bYHVdCm1wPfY3-4TYtBD1-G79EcEtStzIpa6Fzy222maVHJ8C4ig8ljme-QXbgSP87Mx6qexDfigHn7Pl_tqzUaMVvL8KSpij2fAQBq_Fl/s400/download_free_button_rav.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383036274853638706" border="0" /></a><br /><br />All photography Copyright 2009 <a href="http://santiagofelipe.com/">Santiago Felipe</a>, used with permission.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">EDIT: </span>Visit <a href="http://tricotchico.blogspot.com/">TricotChico.blogspot.com</a> for more knitting patterns by Homero Luna.TricotChicohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945843275410908129noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4798105014723493510.post-92065712208419730142009-08-19T14:45:00.001-07:002009-08-20T11:52:02.994-07:00Wild Knitters Needed<div style="text-align: justify;">I have a really, truly, exciting project on my needles, and I'm really excited to be able to share it with you so early on.<br /><br />I'm working on a hoodie based on Max's 'Rumpus Suit' from the upcoming <a href="http://wherethewildthingsare.warnerbros.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Where the Wild Things Are</span> movie</a>. (<= link to movie website w/trailer, etc), based on the book by Maurice Sendak (you love this, book, I know you do!). </div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQCiOfpCaxEVsgRV2L2zx7TXV9YCfw6w5-7Mm03u8LgTVB6Ij2aBepOqygeEDYNiFNJQMwyWZlIr_BEwhtdpzaaapHLXmPQSVV4SuaFKGz5u522K4tyEEvLhrCTYoGMQVgsTaIX3DYNEx/s1600-h/where_the_wild_things_are+book.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 357px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQCiOfpCaxEVsgRV2L2zx7TXV9YCfw6w5-7Mm03u8LgTVB6Ij2aBepOqygeEDYNiFNJQMwyWZlIr_BEwhtdpzaaapHLXmPQSVV4SuaFKGz5u522K4tyEEvLhrCTYoGMQVgsTaIX3DYNEx/s400/where_the_wild_things_are+book.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371794545626453378" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The hoodie will be available in what seems like a MILLION sizes from little kid to big adult (finished chest circumferences 26", 28", 30", 32", 34", 36", 38", 40", 42", 44", 46", 48", 50", 52", 54", and 56"), and will be a button-up cardigan-style sweater with Monster Ears and a removable tail. The smaller sizes (up to the 36" finished size) will be knit in worsted-weight yarn w/a gauge of 5 sts/in, while all sizes from 38" up will be knit in chunky/heavy worsted/aran yarn at a gauge of 4.5 sts/in. The body of the hoodie will be knit flat, the sleeves knit in the round, and all of them joined on one long needle for the shoulders and hood to be knit "flat" (back-and-forth as opposed to in-the-round). Skills? Knit, purl, buttonhole (explained in pattern), knitting in the round, increase, decrease, kitchener stitch/weaving/grafting.<br /><br />The pattern will be a FREE downloadable PDF, and my goal is to make it available mid-September, so that fellow Wild Things out there can knit it prior to the movie release on October 16th (notice how I just assume that there are knitters out there as dorky as I am, who will want to wear the hoodie when they go see the movie?).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoHb7uuVkTZRgMLDobeov3XzqTzVkqsiqxN1qSkK1AxBEpq0vfhfg4J-ePb-ahAjoiWGTwfnZg-LN8V_gpacMJPxxChUURlRbRzslf5y37QOvKfizAHF1KJf6EO8JL1MaXADaGcxVkmPLC/s1600-h/where-the-wild-things-are-poster.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 276px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoHb7uuVkTZRgMLDobeov3XzqTzVkqsiqxN1qSkK1AxBEpq0vfhfg4J-ePb-ahAjoiWGTwfnZg-LN8V_gpacMJPxxChUURlRbRzslf5y37QOvKfizAHF1KJf6EO8JL1MaXADaGcxVkmPLC/s400/where-the-wild-things-are-poster.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371802013645294018" border="0" /></a><br />If you are interested in TEST KNITTING this hoodie, please email me at: TricotChico [at] SplendorKnitting.com and let me know what size you'll be interested in knitting. Keep in mind that this is kind of a super-tight turnaround because of the anticipated release date. I'm working on the first draft of the pattern as we speak, and will email it out to test-knitters Friday morning.<br /><br />ETA: when I say "super-tight turnaround", what I mean is that I hope that test-knitters can finish their projects w/in 2 weeks in order to have pattern notes an comments back to me for editing. :o)<br /><br />ETAgain: I've added a couple of smaller sizes to (hopefully) include toddler sizes. The pattern now goes down to 20", 22", and 24". I believe this should cover sizes down to 12 months.<br /><br />Ummmm...I think that's all the relevant info...definitely email me also if you have questions before deciding to test-knit.<br /><br />"And now...let the wild rumpus start!"<br /></div>TricotChicohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945843275410908129noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4798105014723493510.post-36431020173152853192009-08-15T15:41:00.000-07:002009-08-15T16:43:22.455-07:00So...What'cha Been Up To?<div style="text-align: justify;">I fear it's slightly gauche these days to make two wordy, pictureless blog posts in a row, but I'm not sure what to post to illustrate this one...we'll see what comes to me as I write.<br /><br />It's been an interesting month, to be sure, and "learning to walk" comes to mind as a metaphor. I spent some time doing nothing, then some time wanting to do something, but not sure what to do, then some time with ideas of what to do, but no motivation to actually do it, then feeling yucky about not getting anything done, then I had a change of plan, and this week has been pretty productive, I'd say.<br /><br />I think, more than anything, the whole cycle is a pretty good illustration of how important it is to <a href="http://blog.splendorknitting.com/2009/06/process-behind-process.html">Do What You Love</a> (warning, preceding is a self-congratulatory link the other post where I talked about this idea a couple of months ago). See, I had this idea for a pattern that seemed like a super-great idea and (more than anything), I thought it would popular. Read: I thought it would sell well. It probably would; even non-knitters who heard about the idea were pretty intrigued by it. I spent several weeks thinking about this idea, drew up several charts, re-drew charts, started knitting a prototype, decided it needed it to change, drew another chart...but it just never seemed to come together. It just wasn't working out. In addition to some technical challenges in making it work, said pattern wasn't really something I'd wear, so it wasn't something I was super-excited about designing. It just wasn't <span style="font-style: italic;">me</span>. Once I admitted that to myself and started thinking of how to change the design into something I <span style="font-style: italic;">could</span> get excited about, though, the creative-ness just started flowing like whoa. I sat down to re-draw the charts (and watch a few episodes of Ugly Betty), and BAM! Before I was done for the night, I had three strong new ideas that only needed a bit of refinement.<br /><br />This week has started a new up-swing in productivity for me, though (is that business-talk? Weird!). I've been swatching like a fiend, working on the prototype of the aforementioned "suddenly very exciting" project, calculating and sketching. Knit design! Wheee! Also, I bought a ball winder and swift, and I'm patiently awaiting the delivery of a couple of bundles of yarn that will be knit into samples for patterns we'll be releasing in September. See? Productive like whoa!<br /><br />Oddly, the ball-winder and swift make me feel like I'm <span style="font-style: italic;">serious</span> about knitting now. Nevermind the several rubbermaid containers full of yarn, or the fact that there's more on its way. Nevermind the stacks of knitting books, the Addi Turbos in just about every size, the color cards I just ordered, etc, blah blah blah. Yeah, it's the gadgets that make me feel like I'm a serious knitter.<br /><br />Hmmm...no pictures yet. I try to avoid making posts that are like, "consumerism! Whooo-hooo!", but, that said, I added this kid to my collection several weeks ago:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElhSXqcAjZcQohECBxlpS0Gi-ptIwwc1S2pruzVbR9u91VqWmsTZuAqJ6vyiJvj13mrz5uSXZeyuvfqPddWsmKvDXeKH8mWtreKS9uWx-yaS7WJZmBgHByRYs8aL9Mdxjq5Hiyuw6aOxf/s1600-h/ugly+betty+doll.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElhSXqcAjZcQohECBxlpS0Gi-ptIwwc1S2pruzVbR9u91VqWmsTZuAqJ6vyiJvj13mrz5uSXZeyuvfqPddWsmKvDXeKH8mWtreKS9uWx-yaS7WJZmBgHByRYs8aL9Mdxjq5Hiyuw6aOxf/s400/ugly+betty+doll.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370337592235627234" border="0" /></a><br />Yep, that's Ugly Betty! She's a Madame Alexander doll that was apparently released in 2008, though I got mine on eBay--for less than retail, even after shipping! Go me! What's better is that she's wearing a poncho that Davitron and I jokingly considered writing up as a pattern. We were gonna call it the "Guadala-man-cho". Dodged <span style="font-style: italic;">that</span> bullet, eh? ;o)<br /><br />Alright, Knitters! Stay tuned, and I promise the next post will have real pictures, more exciting info about the super-fab projects we have for this fall, and you won't have to wait a month for it!<br /></div>TricotChicohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945843275410908129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4798105014723493510.post-9833619660211514462009-07-16T10:59:00.000-07:002009-07-16T11:59:20.709-07:00The Race is Long, and In the End, it is Only With Yourself<div style="text-align: justify;">I found out a couple of weeks ago that I'm getting laid off from my Day Job. In fact, this Friday is my last day of full-time work, then I'm effectively on my own. It's odd, because I was kinda surprised, but not really. Everyone knows that the Economy is in...disrepair (to say the least), my job is administrative (so people could really do for themselves the tasks that had been assigned to me), and I had noticed that the projects enrolled in our program were canceling at a surprising rate because *they* were losing funding, so in a way it was inevitable, I suppose. I freaked out about it for about 24 hours after after I found out. There was shock about the news, and a whole rundown of "what do I do <span style="font-style: italic;">now</span>?" scenarios. After some research and phone calls with friends back in Portland, and my family in Houston, I had a better feeling about things, an idea of what the next few months would look like for me, and a sense that I'll be much more than just "okay".<br /><br />A lot of people asked whether I'd move back to Portland or Houston--in fact, I think some of them were requests for me to do just that. It's really warming to know that I have people in my life who care enough to offer the support and assistance that my friends and family did, but I think that New York is where I'm meant to be right now. Don't misunderstand: I miss these people dearly and hope I can see them again soon, but....<span style="font-style: italic;">NEW YORK CITY!!!!</span> Yeah, I knew you'd understand if I put it like that.<br /><br />I'm taking this change as an opportunity rather than a defeat, ultimately. Davitron and I are already working on several patterns to release this Fall, so I will definitely take this time to focus on that, and perhaps I'll have one or two more to offer than I originally thought. We each have several ideas for pullovers, outerwear pieces, and accessories, so keep an eye on this blog over the next few months; we'll have the same usual posts about other projects we're working on, but there will also be several exciting patterns coming up: Knits He'll Actually Wear. Tell your friends!<br /><br />Of course, part of what this means is that I'll need to be more disciplined than I've ever been before. <span style="font-style: italic;">EVER!!!</span> That could easily be a huge obstacle on its own, but I also know how focused and resourceful I can be when I've decided I really want something to happen, so I've got that going for me, for sure. In the midst of all this, I'm thinking of ways to stay focused, inspired, and positive. I'm thinking my dry erase board will become a 'whiteboard' for keeping track of designs I have in mind, as well as milestones and personal deadlines I want to meet. I'll get some construction paper, too, to make style boards for the various designs I'm working on.<br /><br />Naturally, I'll be listening to music a lot, too. All the songs from <a href="http://blog.splendorknitting.com/2009/06/process-behind-process.html">here</a> <a href="http://blog.splendorknitting.com/2009/06/process-behind-process.html"></a>will be on heavy rotation, as will my "Eff Them Mofos" playlist that I made a couple of years ago. It was something I'd listen to when I got frustrated and annoyed with dating, but all the songs are about being confident and independent, so of course it's totally relevant!<br /><br />And then there are those schmaltzy platitudes that make us groan when we're feeling cynical, but make us teary-eyed when they're <span style="font-style: italic;">exactly</span> what we need to hear. These are some of the ones I'll be keeping close by:<br /><br />The title of this blog post is from <span style="font-style: italic;">Everybody's Free (to Wear Sunscreen)</span> by Baz Luhrman<br /><br />"When one door closes, another opens, but it's hell being in the hallway."<br /><br />"All you misfits and losers, you know you're Rock 'n Rollers! Yeah, you're doing alright, so hold on to each-other, you gotta hold on tonight..." --Hedwig and the Angry Inch, from <span style="font-style: italic;">Midnight Radio</span><br /><br />"Change, change...if I can fake it I'ma make it something worth dreaming of." --Santogold, from <span style="font-style: italic;">L.E.S. Artistes</span><br /><br />"The less room you give me, the more space I've got. Today has never happened and it doesn't frighten me. It doesn't scare me at all." --Bjork, from <span style="font-style: italic;">Alarm Call</span><br /><br /><br /></div>TricotChicohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945843275410908129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4798105014723493510.post-49058737839370162242009-06-27T16:01:00.001-07:002009-07-08T20:21:39.215-07:00Knits of the Living Dead<div style="text-align: justify;">"I knit, I like cats, and I collect dolls, but it's not what you think." I found myself thinking this as I bound off the neck opening of a tiny little sweater last night. My cat was sitting next to me, and I was home on a Friday night (which is unusual for me) watching <span style="font-style: italic;">The Listener</span> on hulu.com.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5H_UgynBHh94DGqn4yju8ay0tEDIUl5i0SkKw9sUhs6gwfjpsfmZl0Kxzcvd8ZVMs0eFXcMlsjdw4ELu9pngnip2m1FQyiZTmSipDYuprSwYzvlH6gWV-ARP3THPrwJq3nlmHuAuyAv_i/s1600-h/IMG_0003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5H_UgynBHh94DGqn4yju8ay0tEDIUl5i0SkKw9sUhs6gwfjpsfmZl0Kxzcvd8ZVMs0eFXcMlsjdw4ELu9pngnip2m1FQyiZTmSipDYuprSwYzvlH6gWV-ARP3THPrwJq3nlmHuAuyAv_i/s400/IMG_0003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352146853701696034" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The sweater in question was for the little guy in the pic above. Wolfgang is a Living Dead Doll*, which I started collecting a year ago or so. As I mentioned before, I only buy dolls that I fall in love with immediately. Looking at Wolfgang, I knew that I could love him if only his sweater wasn't so frigging hideous. Fortunately, I have a craft that empowered me to change the thing that was bothering me about this situation.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6MJjTDe_pqrM36igsbpt6l7v6bIBJG8YDE07yWY_xFbQNwmSr0jWJxhxpY_JKQqLI_Hb2R9mcMqMjHOzOIDY9Xpo3YTDUZz31iu625EIrvjp5-2atRcjVXIiTKQpTerGaK-U8AA3gCmoi/s1600-h/IMG_0007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6MJjTDe_pqrM36igsbpt6l7v6bIBJG8YDE07yWY_xFbQNwmSr0jWJxhxpY_JKQqLI_Hb2R9mcMqMjHOzOIDY9Xpo3YTDUZz31iu625EIrvjp5-2atRcjVXIiTKQpTerGaK-U8AA3gCmoi/s400/IMG_0007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352146850514135314" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Seriously, how can you <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> love a face like that!? Conversely, how can you love a boat-necked monstrosity like that? It took me a while to actually get to the knitting (being the non-monogamous knitter that I am), but it totally flew once I did!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2uoRRNF8cRv1l6fDlk4_oNXsplKhTFDIVrNi3ePM-Y4JV8u_P5C9Z6XLLu4xAVNMCfHnKOk2lwe3c-OzjKHHUKsZn6McW_dSw8kbYClisQwcysqpgMhyphenhyphenz8c30pbhbI7Lj46mP7ATfz99U/s1600-h/IMG_0033.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2uoRRNF8cRv1l6fDlk4_oNXsplKhTFDIVrNi3ePM-Y4JV8u_P5C9Z6XLLu4xAVNMCfHnKOk2lwe3c-OzjKHHUKsZn6McW_dSw8kbYClisQwcysqpgMhyphenhyphenz8c30pbhbI7Lj46mP7ATfz99U/s400/IMG_0033.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352146857285935730" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern: </span>Seamless Yoke Sweater by Elizabeth Zimmerman/ Cobblestone by Jared Flood<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn: </span>Koigu KPM in Maroon<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles: </span>Addi Turbo Circulars, size US3<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRewNc04_ZQayfZmpQ8-Fe9B8gHyuJsA93z6MjglbVFEIdq4D19qNFbi_dp8EsBsWlKCFbEtf9Mnbsvu4NmCHWgGxynSUcB0rszIx7o2ZZRb29yKRLNXCUeL9UAWGp6j43mx-jgRSoQkE/s1600-h/IMG_0014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRewNc04_ZQayfZmpQ8-Fe9B8gHyuJsA93z6MjglbVFEIdq4D19qNFbi_dp8EsBsWlKCFbEtf9Mnbsvu4NmCHWgGxynSUcB0rszIx7o2ZZRb29yKRLNXCUeL9UAWGp6j43mx-jgRSoQkE/s400/IMG_0014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352146861453319938" border="0" /></a>I based the measurements for this sweater off of Jacob's hoodie (see below), which told me it would have a 6" chest circumference (42 stitches, if I remember). The sleeves (according to Liz Z's percentage system) should have had 14 sts, but when I used that number, I got a sleeve that was more snug than I would have liked, so I used 16 sts. As recommended for sweaters for toddlers and children, I cast on the number of stitches that you'd use for the upper arm and knit a straight tube (rather than casting on fewer and increasing to the amount needed for the upper arm, as you would w/most sweaters for people over the age of, perhaps 8 or 10). I used the Magic Loop technique for knitting this tiny jumper. Can I just tell you that casting on and knitting the first row of a 16 stitch sleeve will teach you the meaning of the word "fiddly"? Yeah, it will. I now have a Master's Certificate in fiddly knitting. I love it!<br /></div></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnoPgBs58UiyuByv1J4E706MnBI16QvjhszWnfHHSa8pp65sUlJVYUyQ4bF0YJxdMIl5lxPz2EKqQPlVWSHP8PkBJNmAcUrK17k7-RYsQIMdi08MFbPWvVTKHvba_P6SSg2hoaV3kFSkIr/s1600-h/IMG_0049.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnoPgBs58UiyuByv1J4E706MnBI16QvjhszWnfHHSa8pp65sUlJVYUyQ4bF0YJxdMIl5lxPz2EKqQPlVWSHP8PkBJNmAcUrK17k7-RYsQIMdi08MFbPWvVTKHvba_P6SSg2hoaV3kFSkIr/s400/IMG_0049.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352148058283856482" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I fudged the "Yoke Sweater" directions a bit for the yoke, too (Elizabeth would be proud!). Or maybe not, it's hard to tell w/such a small piece of work, since I believe Liz's directions were only ever tested by her on people-sized garments. Anyway, it was mostly guesswork, and, as mentioned before, I re-started the sleeves once. I also ripped the yoke back once (last night, actually), when I decided that I wanted the garter stitch to start earlier and that my decrease rows were too close together (the shoulders were too 'square'). This yarn, though? Effing DELICIOUS!!! Super -soft merino wool that I don't believe to be superwash (the ball band didn't say so, and I spit-spliced a couple of ends together, which I don't think superwash would do, but let me know if that's not the case). I want my own sweater knit from it, but not from the fingering weight. I'm going to be checking to see if Koigu makes a similar yarn in DK weight. Or I suppose I could buy a poop-tonne of the fingering weight and hold it double...hmmm....<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RdYXKoEg4gLBcYfqXKbV_XbFl7adou8EsqY-yfHMOhzf4IaApmui0sVSAfe0xRqKcdJ8g5g07TsgYHVSkf9O_ACGiktNFRjezuJC-tbwUgEj9bQ071_8TRk-tTWFR_fLYUfTH-AnMIzV/s1600-h/IMG_0020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RdYXKoEg4gLBcYfqXKbV_XbFl7adou8EsqY-yfHMOhzf4IaApmui0sVSAfe0xRqKcdJ8g5g07TsgYHVSkf9O_ACGiktNFRjezuJC-tbwUgEj9bQ071_8TRk-tTWFR_fLYUfTH-AnMIzV/s400/IMG_0020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352148063996295810" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Here's Wolfgang with his pal Jacob (on the left in the red hoodie). You can pretty well appreciate the subtlety of the semisolid shading in the yarn in this pic and the one above. It's really lovely! Jacob very graciously served as a fit model for the sweater, as he had been liberated from his box when I started the sweater and Wolfgang had not. Wolfgang really likes his new sweater, though--doesn't he look much happier now? He tells me that Jacob should have his own handknit sweater, since he was such a good sport about helping to make Wolfgang's sweater a reality (I had to pop Jacob's head off in order to remove his hoodie and try on the new sweater. Ouch!).<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9a0x7gmlzqtkTTKx0emL3uGXBlR9as3OXmN-HmedzgBmzMt98TxxF9dYaLSzZ7xfljtnkGhSAElownU6e6uv601TbbfTAihdCSirl0OU-9K4n-9oychpbyAMAWC1hxmq_Bqx2RqWA6hc/s1600-h/IMG_0046.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9a0x7gmlzqtkTTKx0emL3uGXBlR9as3OXmN-HmedzgBmzMt98TxxF9dYaLSzZ7xfljtnkGhSAElownU6e6uv601TbbfTAihdCSirl0OU-9K4n-9oychpbyAMAWC1hxmq_Bqx2RqWA6hc/s400/IMG_0046.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352148071507022162" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">While shooting the other pic by the window, I noticed Wolfie's reflection in the window. The Horror Film lover in me thought it would be unforgivable to snap a super-creepy shot like this one! Add this to the list of things you don't wanna see in your window at night, eh? ;oD<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_aGihOUx1RIyUUv4RD-dBcOFlb2U_7ewg9v2QJYG0J5LdE-0Y0n8A7-hVLGwAprLJ8C0T_5qWocEs1QHPm1hMfo-0vgWQHdBmJWh2H2un6a68jXsOEaOTcYUi4UMagF3o-9P18PYkrHl/s1600-h/IMG_0026.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_aGihOUx1RIyUUv4RD-dBcOFlb2U_7ewg9v2QJYG0J5LdE-0Y0n8A7-hVLGwAprLJ8C0T_5qWocEs1QHPm1hMfo-0vgWQHdBmJWh2H2un6a68jXsOEaOTcYUi4UMagF3o-9P18PYkrHl/s400/IMG_0026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352148067292209794" border="0" /></a><br />I knit wiff Jacob, I knit wiff Homero, now I wanna knit wiff youuuuuu......!<br /><br />Ok, kids, I'm off to work on something less absurd and creepy....or <span style="font-style: italic;">am</span> I? ;o)<br /><br />_______________________________________<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">*If you're unfamiliar with Living Dead Dolls and would like to know more, you can visit the official website by </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://livingdeaddolls.com/lddsite.html">clicking here</a><span style="font-style: italic;">. Once you enter the page, you can view the Archive/Morgue to see the various series of dolls. Wolfgang is from Series 10, and Jacob is from Series 13. :o)</span>TricotChicohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945843275410908129noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4798105014723493510.post-8931275330780923322009-06-11T21:13:00.000-07:002009-06-11T22:44:54.587-07:00The Process Behind the Process<div style="text-align: justify;">Do what you love.<br /><br />There are many times when this uber-simple piece of advice really is the best guide. I once gave this advice to a new collector of dolls (on a message board) when they asked which dolls they "should" buy from a particular doll-maker. "Get the ones that make your heart stop when you first see them, forget about the rest. There's no way to know what will happen to a doll's 'value', and if it it never appreciates, at least you know you'll have a doll that you love."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Santogold,</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">L.E.S. Artistes</span><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kCeZzW54a2o&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kCeZzW54a2o&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"I hope it will be worth what I give up...suddenly I find myself an innovator...change, change, I wanna get up outta my skin. Tell you what, if I can shake it I'm gonna make this something worth dreaming of."</span><br /></div><br />The same is true with knitting--or any craft, really. A very good friend of mine decided that she wanted to make socks for her 2nd (ever) knitting project. I helped her pick yarn and needles and got her started. Sort of. She abandoned the socks for a less 'fiddly' 2nd project and wanted to know why I let her choose something so complicated when she had just learned. 1) I'm not one to stifle a person's creative energy. 2) I believe that the best projects to work on are the one's you're really excited about--the ones you're in love with.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bjork, </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Alarm Call</span><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gXU8L-YRSNU&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gXU8L-YRSNU&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"You can't say 'no' to hope, can't say 'no' to happiness....I want to go on a mountaintop w/a radio and good batteries and play a joyous tune and save the human race from suffering...the less room you give me, the more space I've got. Today has never happened and it doesn't frighten me. It doesn't scare me at all..."</span><br /></div><br />And so it is with design...for me, anyway. When I actually picked up knitting sticks and yarn and learned how to knit, it was because I wanted a 'Harry Potter' scarf (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/TricotChico/hogwarts-scarf">Ravelry link</a>) and had a hard time finding one in a shop. While working on that project, it occurred to me that there were lots of other things I could (and would love to) knit. My mind started turning over ideas of sweaters I'd like to have, more scarves, and so on. Yep, I'm a selfish knitter (because 95% of what I knit is for me and me alone), but I also tend to want designs that are not what I see available from other designers. Modifying a hat pattern here, making something up completely there, taking an idea from the construction of one project and using it in something not quite the same....and that's just where it starts.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Santogold, </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Creator</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GfnAwNNP2tc&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GfnAwNNP2tc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"I'm a creator, the rules I break got me a place up on the radar..."</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><br />That's a rough sketch of the 'how', but there's also the 'what' and the 'why', and lately the answers to both of those have come from music I've been listening to. Sometimes--oftentimes--it's in the lyrics. Sometimes it's the art direction of the video, or just the overall style of the musician. The few videos I've posted here are examples of what I'm looking at as reference points for what's rolling over in my mind lately. Where the lyrics are inspirational to me, I've noted my favorite lines below the video, but sometimes it's just the overall sound, or maybe the style of the video.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bjork, </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Declare Independence</span><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/igOWR_-BXJU&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/igOWR_-BXJU&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Don't let them do that to you...raise your flag...ignore their patronizing, tear off your blindfold, declare independence!"</span><br /></div><br />I have a sense for where/how I want these designs to go, but I know they could end up somewhere else entirely. That's another part of the process, no? Following it to see where it takes you? We'll see where they go, but for now the process is exhilirating and a little scary, but I know I'm on the right track when I feel my heart stop.<br /><br />Keep on knitting. Do what you love.<br /></div>TricotChicohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945843275410908129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4798105014723493510.post-51326961594408866542009-05-19T19:15:00.000-07:002009-07-09T11:28:59.996-07:00The Manhattan Project, Part I: A Tale of Tubular Cast-ons<div style="text-align: justify;">As many (or maybe some, or perhaps few) of you know, I recently moved across the world (read: Country) from Portland, Oregon to New York, New York. The whys, whens, and hows are another subject, but suffice to say that I was (and am) very excited about this move. As you might expect, I'm still in the midst of exploring the City and figuring out how to make it work for me, but that hasn't caused so much as a pause of my knitting needles. When figuring out how to get my stuff from there to here, I ultimately decided the best way would be to ship everything and fly in. Of course, as soon as I decided I would by flying, my first thoughts were how I would get my knitting on the plane and what I would work on. I'm obsessed, I know, but knowing is half the battle.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZoV17aw7iSqSOwV2sDANTWpKlTAtt86ODu5q-LSsFOWV71uF9kMA5GmdB32YLiCG_TvtGvF2DSIFAi6oYY8XNRfZI7KokWODgjEiRviP6iYo0LitchfdopZncpDGoStVZCMkhmJd_UJ7/s1600-h/IMG_0002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZoV17aw7iSqSOwV2sDANTWpKlTAtt86ODu5q-LSsFOWV71uF9kMA5GmdB32YLiCG_TvtGvF2DSIFAi6oYY8XNRfZI7KokWODgjEiRviP6iYo0LitchfdopZncpDGoStVZCMkhmJd_UJ7/s400/IMG_0002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337739433832641922" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />The moving preparations included buying a sweater quantity of <a href="http://cascadeyarns.com/cascade-220.asp">Cascade 220</a> in Ruby (color 9404) from Davitron at <a href="http://www.abundantyarn.com/store/pc/home.asp">Abundant Yarn & Dyeworks</a> in PDX. I'm an unrepentant fan of Cascade 220 for several reasons: 1) It's cheap (relatively) 2) It knits up to a lovely, soft, sturdy fabric and, most importantly: 3) It comes in eleventy-pi amazing colors (like Ruby). All in all, it's the natural choice for proletariat yarn crafters such as the one writing this blog. I can tell you now that the pictures here don't do justice to the color. If your LYS carries this yarn, I recommend you check it out in real life; between my camera and my (lacking) photo editing skills, these pictures are not a true representation of the color, and the color is freakin' amazing.<br /></div><br />So I had decided I would work on a Ruby Sweater on the plane. More than that, I decided this will be the first sweater that I finish, and that it should be an Elizabeth Zimmerman Seamless Hybrid. Really, you can't mess up one of her sweaters.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern: </span>Elizabeth Zimmerman Seamless Hybrid<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn: </span>Cascade 220 Wool in Ruby<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles:</span> Addi Turbo Circulars in sizes US3, US4, and US7<br /></div><br />Since I am who I am, though, I couldn't just do a straight-up long-tail cast on and start from there; I needed to do a tubular cast-on. Some of my knitting crew in Portland is familiar with my 'fascination' with tubular edgings. Some of my old knitting crew finds this perplexing, confounding, and maybe a little bizarre. Call it Warholian; most of the knitting that we're familiar with is machine-knit, and machine-knits generally have tubular edgings. Not only that, but tubular edgings just <span style="font-style: italic;">look</span> good.<br /><br />My first attempt included a 1x1 rib with a tubular edge that starts out as Judy's Magic Cast-On. (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhBIS0AhhQY">link to Judy's Magic Cast-On video</a>) It's amazing, really, and it does create quite a nice-looking cast-on edge. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITM9Zodn-Uk">Here's a link</a> to the video showing how to go from Judy's Magic Cast-On to a nice 1x1 ribbed edge. This does create a nice-looking edge, but once I transitioned from ribbing to stockinette, I decided that I didn't like the size difference between the knit stitches in the ribbing and the knit stitches in the plain stockinette (see previous re: obsessed).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWctyunLTDuFzN3eT805p-hECJmE_GTDiapbXsBTGciie-f42P64rFlOR0qg_eFxGB1pBXM2O1BT_XmBHhQPyuKKBsRUljyNuVlY1FEw4FknL3fysrrB7uRt07-kcCGv1SpG2k5AKhj0C/s1600-h/IMG_0005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWctyunLTDuFzN3eT805p-hECJmE_GTDiapbXsBTGciie-f42P64rFlOR0qg_eFxGB1pBXM2O1BT_XmBHhQPyuKKBsRUljyNuVlY1FEw4FknL3fysrrB7uRt07-kcCGv1SpG2k5AKhj0C/s400/IMG_0005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337740253217896354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">a view of the 2x2 tubular edge demonstrated by Ysolda</span><br /></span></div><br /><br />Fast-forward to take 2 (or so), where I use the tubular cast-on that Ysolda Teague demonstrates on her blog <a href="http://ysolda.com/wordpress/pictorial-guides/double-rib-tubular-cast-on/">here</a>. I chose this one because I had decided (after some goading/stern input from Davitron) to use a 2x2 rib instead; it was easier to get a more consistent knit-stitch size this way, and the technique that Ysolda demonstrates works beautifully for 2x2 ribbing.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqcjH-S5h8JJ8DG1pmr7OpYgH5R5bsrRtbBxrD6E_7izuTpuF8VI4m7aWsAq9perBnJVR0590iQLOy2ZX9giUc3sx8cWlTvedZjPQup97PHCxiW0SAJpiNNSPQWPNbBmePliksqH-CUXX/s1600-h/IMG_0007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqcjH-S5h8JJ8DG1pmr7OpYgH5R5bsrRtbBxrD6E_7izuTpuF8VI4m7aWsAq9perBnJVR0590iQLOy2ZX9giUc3sx8cWlTvedZjPQup97PHCxiW0SAJpiNNSPQWPNbBmePliksqH-CUXX/s400/IMG_0007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337740255478277746" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">an edge-view of the tubular edge demonstrated by Ysolda</span><br /></span></div><br /><br />After several trial attempts, I settled on using US3's for the cast-on and first couple of rows of k1, p1 prior to the 2x2 setup on Ysolda's technique. Once I switched to the k2, p2 ribbing, I switched to US4's. All in the name of getting knit-stitches to match.<br /><br />Stay tuned, knitters; the body is mostly knit (5 1/2 weeks later) and then it'll be time for sleeves! Now that I have the edging and needle sizes worked out, the rest should go much more quickly. Hopefully it'll be finished before it's too hot to model the FO!<br /><br />Keep on knitting!<br /></div>TricotChicohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945843275410908129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4798105014723493510.post-70152127096311147722009-05-02T11:54:00.000-07:002009-07-08T18:48:12.063-07:00Because every 'pandemic' needs some levity...<div style="text-align: justify;">I had an exceptionally boring day at work. I mean, I cleaned everything, stocked everything, all that jazz... and still had time left over. So, I started working on a "funny project". And thusly, I bring the world, The "Swine-Flu Masque". The full pattern text is published here, but it's also available as a free downloadable PDF at the bottom of this post.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hellorhigh_water/3493900499/" title="SwineFlu Masque by hellorhigh_water, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3589/3493900499_08d11ac2ac_m.jpg" alt="SwineFlu Masque" width="180" height="240" /></a><br />(<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hellorhigh_water/sets/72157617602979498/">flickr photoset</a>)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Patterns: </span>Swine-Flu Masque by David R. Castillo (aka GoGoDavitron)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarns: </span>GGH Bali in pink, Cascade 220 in Jet<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles:</span> US2 straight needles, US3 DPNs for the Nose.<br />(I knit kinda loose, you might want US5-6)<br /><br /><br /></span> <div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Sizes</span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Well, okay, it's pretty much a one-size-fits-most kind of thing. The part that will cover your face is about 8-9 inches wide and about 6-7 inches tall. You can adjust it while you're knitting if you need more or less.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Gauge</div></span><div style="text-align: justify;">6 sts/inch or 24sts/4inches in stockinette.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Materials</span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;">Approx. 100 yrds of your favorite DK weight yarn. I used GGH's Bali (not my favorite, but servicible). Appropriate needles, Sense of humor. Oh, and a little bit of black yarn for the nostrils.</div></span> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Make It!</span></div></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Top Strap:</span></div><span style="font-style: italic;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;">CO<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></span> 200 sts</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">knit 3 rows in garter stitch (knitting each row)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the beginning of the next 2 rows, cast off 75 stitches.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">K 1 more row.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Mask:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;">Row 1: K</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Row 2: K5, P to last five stitches, K5</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Repeat rows 1&2 once more.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Short Row Shaping: Use your preferred short row method (wrap and turn or yarnover would be best) to work a total of 6 rows in shaping. I spaced them one right next to each other to mimic the folds in a real surgical mask. Here is the shaping method I used.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Row 1: K to last 5 stitches, turn work.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Row 2: YO, P to last last 5 stitches, turn work.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Row 3: YO, K to last 6 stitches (not counting YO), turn work.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Row 4: YO, P to last 6 stitches (not counting YO), turn work.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Row 5: YO, K to last 7 stitches (not counting YO), turn work.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Row 6: YO, P to last 7 stitches (not counting YO), turn work.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Row 7: K to end of the row (SSK the yarnovers and adjacent knits as you come to them).</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Row 8: P to end of the row.(P2tog yarnovers and adjacent purls as you come to them) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">To Finish the mask, knit as follows:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Knit rows 1&2 of "Mask" 4x</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Repeat Short-row shaping.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Knit rows 1&2 of "Mask" 4x</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Repeat short row shaping</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Knit rows 1&2 of "mask" 2x</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the end of the last row, cast on (either backwards loop, cable, or knitted-on cast-on are appropriate) 12 stitches.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Knit across the next row, then cast on 12 stitches at the end of the row.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Knit 2 rows plain, then cast off knitwise.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Stitch the ends of the the shorter ties so that the form a comfortable triangle with the longer ties.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Nose:</div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cast on 40 stitches and divide between DPNs with 13 stitches on the 1st and 2nd needles, and 14 stitches on a 3rd.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">K 8 rows</div><div style="text-align: justify;">P 1 row</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">SSK the first two stitches on the needle, K to last 2 stitches, k2tog. Repeat until you can no longer decrease in this manner. Cut the yarn, thread through remaining stitches 2x and then pull it tight, weave the end in on the other side.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At this point, i whip-stitched the black nostrils on the mask. you don't have to, you don't have to use black... Whatevs! it's all good! You'll notice the nostril is slightly triangular, but the base stays kind of circular.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When i made the mask, i intended the cast on edge to be the top, but i carelessly stitched the whole nose down to the wrong side. don't make this mistake - it works better if your cast on edge is the top. Stitch the nose down to the middle, still keeping it approximately circular. It works really well if you just whip stitch it. If it's in the same yarn as you knit the whole thing, it doesn't really matter cus you won't really see it. Voila! Swine Flu mask! (don't forget to weave in your ends)<br /><br />The pattern PDF is also available as a free download by clicking the button below. You do not need to be a Ravelry member to download from this page.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.ravelry.com/dls/homero-luna--david-castillo-designs/17159?filename=Splendor_Knitting_Swine_Flu_Masque_Pattern_by_David_R._Castillo.pdf"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 60px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoe90YuGlmcf-xuzwmJg0R5YieZr5Sk6uRSBppq9zPHLq5pVU3R4Yp6gMAZf5JPK4uy4ONtTcdcac5fmwrfpHcMhOaFldb2ZKsXwI30coBQQjlSOkYnJPec9Ut-XjtWaJ1KmTW5o72ozY/s320/download_free_button_rav.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356270087951971138" border="0" /></a><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></div></div></div>Davitronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399675811197816592noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4798105014723493510.post-60656221087046389272009-04-15T16:56:00.000-07:002009-05-27T15:31:44.980-07:00Knitting is *so* Metal!!!Dear BlogoFans, it's been a while, but now I have something quite exciting to show you!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">For your perusal and edification: a hat that my friend Corey requested quite a while ago and is just now finished, photographed, and ready to share. So what happened is this: approximately 14 months ago, Corey emailed me a pic of a <a href="http://giftable.wordpress.com/bearded-toque/">Bearded Toque</a> with the question, "can you make me one of these?" Admittedly, I'm a selfish knitter; I learned to knit because I wanted to make things for myself because either I couldn't find them in shops or I just didn't want to take the time to search them out. Yet, for some reason, I agreed to do this favor for Corey.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GQR_TUbNPLoUngEDkUkvyAwP5DWhGQM46jbFOMJ4P5LnC6tlPkh0doo41I5UKkdQJ4Npoe-KukY0XRfrDi26qdsOko2q_WfeLoPtgXW7F1Pfl8a82d2AeHRuPZGWwWCN7v2MQghmJoeh/s1600-h/IMG_0158.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GQR_TUbNPLoUngEDkUkvyAwP5DWhGQM46jbFOMJ4P5LnC6tlPkh0doo41I5UKkdQJ4Npoe-KukY0XRfrDi26qdsOko2q_WfeLoPtgXW7F1Pfl8a82d2AeHRuPZGWwWCN7v2MQghmJoeh/s400/IMG_0158.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325077281678131490" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Patterns: </span><a href="http://giftable.wordpress.com/bearded-toque/">Bearded Toque</a> and <a href="http://rsveverka.com/chileconyarne/2008/04/baby-viking-hat/">Viking Hat</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarns: </span>Malabrigo Merino Worsted in Pearl Ten (cap) and Cinnabar (beard/moustache),<br />Louet Riverstone in Charcoal (hat band) and Cream (horns).<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles: </span>Addi Turbo Circular needles, size US7, except the horns,<br />which were knit on size US5 needles.<br /></div><br />Part of the deal included dinner for me, so over said dinner I got the requisite basic information, like color, general beard shape ideas, etc, and by the end I could tell that this could be no ordinary Bearded Toque. I would combine this idea with the Viking Hat that I had recently seen on <a href="http://rsveverka.com/chileconyarne/2008/04/baby-viking-hat/">Ravelry</a>. Measurements were taken, yarn purchased, and, eventually, a hat was born.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfknZ1_UaM8nY4YSYQ4Lknuq-10-9Q5HGAfX6u2Qf6H8t-bYWNUQHVawa4HdLa1j1kY5n5d3FkkeThhYzUtnPDvMJUpYV2jYui8zv7PK-jyRfgBX6Gpkavoa-d77yeuNqP7n6hj2AEvCuE/s1600-h/IMG_0160.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfknZ1_UaM8nY4YSYQ4Lknuq-10-9Q5HGAfX6u2Qf6H8t-bYWNUQHVawa4HdLa1j1kY5n5d3FkkeThhYzUtnPDvMJUpYV2jYui8zv7PK-jyRfgBX6Gpkavoa-d77yeuNqP7n6hj2AEvCuE/s400/IMG_0160.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325077278370057682" border="0" /></a><br />Corey was incredibly patient, and only asked me about his hat once. To his credit, when I originally asked when he wanted the hat, his response was, "next winter." That was in Spring 2008; his "when am I gonna get it?" inquiry was during a very cold walk in January 2009. Yeah.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlw_mfWOCwjq_WrQny52qx0nsdEEfETzXcGo6QB8dqadH3GHGy1oxHpVooA2-UMHTpe80i0ZLDzzb7gdN7AfGIhp0LaZMtZlfGZJLH2JX0hacnGxKuf9aE-RPenK7c3QRuPrQ-JJUqiD_T/s1600-h/IMG_0162.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlw_mfWOCwjq_WrQny52qx0nsdEEfETzXcGo6QB8dqadH3GHGy1oxHpVooA2-UMHTpe80i0ZLDzzb7gdN7AfGIhp0LaZMtZlfGZJLH2JX0hacnGxKuf9aE-RPenK7c3QRuPrQ-JJUqiD_T/s400/IMG_0162.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325077282371747858" border="0" /></a><br />Learning, however, is of tantamount importance when taking on any project. During this project I learned a new cast-on technique, how to make bobbles, and I learned to not take requests. Really, it's better for everyone involved if my knits are given as surprises<span style="font-style: italic;">.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpzMnhkoR9TsvOJlmXibUhIPxOA-DDheHKKoVzP4VRQBBAUS4VRKd1cgyGWO9D7SpbFwNtSr2LaTdz1nq8KTuI8tzVStfpEnMbLlnvl8-Cav73N5_PnCJzqWALDd4lQIA1c212LYgQ5_S/s1600-h/IMG_0167.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpzMnhkoR9TsvOJlmXibUhIPxOA-DDheHKKoVzP4VRQBBAUS4VRKd1cgyGWO9D7SpbFwNtSr2LaTdz1nq8KTuI8tzVStfpEnMbLlnvl8-Cav73N5_PnCJzqWALDd4lQIA1c212LYgQ5_S/s400/IMG_0167.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325077291778972242" border="0" /></a><br />Besides, surprises are always awesome.<br /></div>TricotChicohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945843275410908129noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4798105014723493510.post-20611954741644768042009-03-11T23:50:00.000-07:002009-03-23T18:02:48.877-07:00Surprise!<div style="text-align: justify;">While it's easy to acknowledge the cleverness of a knitter like one <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Zimmerman">Elizabeth Zimmerman</a>, there are times when one suddenly comes to<span style="font-style: italic;"> truly</span> appreciate her brilliance. I had such a moment after knitting her <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/TricotChico/baby-surprise-jacket">Baby Surprise Jacket</a> (<==Ravelry link to my project page for this one). </div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8DtJg57WpD4hlc49VeWlgV8Pvo5GfCP0oMOyhuUkbJ20bpsdCa_oQDpS9DR_p4LELecYoY02CmVNhA-9NPL0V9R6_EBDe47VvT4j64E588S7dI3RgMnQna8yCqiKWuaVZ3INIwN2T8e3/s1600-h/IMG_0022.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8DtJg57WpD4hlc49VeWlgV8Pvo5GfCP0oMOyhuUkbJ20bpsdCa_oQDpS9DR_p4LELecYoY02CmVNhA-9NPL0V9R6_EBDe47VvT4j64E588S7dI3RgMnQna8yCqiKWuaVZ3INIwN2T8e3/s400/IMG_0022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312192532653615074" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern: </span>Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn:</span> Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock Heavyweight. Colorway: Jade<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles:</span> Addi Turbo Circulars, Size US5<br />Yarn & Buttons purchased at <a href="http://twistedpdx.com/">Twisted</a> in PDX<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFtfbozamzI5VoXZ41MfF3eaGstBuky4RklBm6aKYyLvOQW-FDvg7nIn_e0VYGte9dl-7lG0nAdhMzwJsU2Oyy7olvXgRSQIiWgSknalhQWF4_UR-GqbUUOoSHkAxE_gh-2V23xlayBre/s1600-h/IMG_0021.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFtfbozamzI5VoXZ41MfF3eaGstBuky4RklBm6aKYyLvOQW-FDvg7nIn_e0VYGte9dl-7lG0nAdhMzwJsU2Oyy7olvXgRSQIiWgSknalhQWF4_UR-GqbUUOoSHkAxE_gh-2V23xlayBre/s400/IMG_0021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312192526278293282" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">As she says in the pattern notes, <span style="font-style: italic;">"...it looks like nothing on earth when you have finished knitting it. Sew up two seams and you have the nicest little garter-stitch baby sweater you could wish to see..."</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9AO0rSjPzUBZwP02z9awQ_x6Sm4mOY0ouPeDnbp0ASfRVaUi8fBQzEix_yO2x9ekvXtb-disVf5qN1iGJOGrwP_1huVtYDo8SJLLm7D9quiZcL6gsIG7pK_zAEF4w1KQgpXDDS84I4ap/s1600-h/IMG_0017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9AO0rSjPzUBZwP02z9awQ_x6Sm4mOY0ouPeDnbp0ASfRVaUi8fBQzEix_yO2x9ekvXtb-disVf5qN1iGJOGrwP_1huVtYDo8SJLLm7D9quiZcL6gsIG7pK_zAEF4w1KQgpXDDS84I4ap/s400/IMG_0017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312193466278428242" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">In true Liz Z. fashion, her pattern instructions were a bit more free-form than, perhaps, I would have liked. Don't get me wrong: one of the things I LURVE about Ms Z is that all but commands knitters to become the Boss of Their Knitting. Really, her "unventions" all but challenge a knitter to remain fearful of their knitting. But I digress...in the case of this pattern, something just wasn't working out for me.</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRbfxBk7fJXa31UNSqp-5nvt8xndXMHeIGNHJeCLwHklWi1qIqouvC-wsKFFEWl4wo-VQ2gveePfvSEfEc_oYzTIEoIUT7EkacdlvXfy4LyRo6zLDjiWr9Sp25-MXRko1UkzWDvks35DW/s1600-h/IMG_0003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRbfxBk7fJXa31UNSqp-5nvt8xndXMHeIGNHJeCLwHklWi1qIqouvC-wsKFFEWl4wo-VQ2gveePfvSEfEc_oYzTIEoIUT7EkacdlvXfy4LyRo6zLDjiWr9Sp25-MXRko1UkzWDvks35DW/s400/IMG_0003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312191460943760242" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I was aware of the supplements available for this pattern, but I have a double dose of the Stubborn gene (which is dominant, as you may know), so my needles were set against making use of any of these. Until a friend surprised me by emailing one to me. Really, though, that was the best thing, as my refusal to use the supplement really meant that this project was sitting un-knit for a couple of months.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzrwFXzaVUbTbRXFt0ac7NIJszGuTzAuzny-m33eocnCAvNhvKXn0P0DKGXjTFhbJpJGKtl2VczT8i3Ot36zXqBtcBy73fGoj2glm9CRrb-RybPOOobGNPYJTNoAUroISfUYDgMGNaEWR_/s1600-h/IMG_0004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzrwFXzaVUbTbRXFt0ac7NIJszGuTzAuzny-m33eocnCAvNhvKXn0P0DKGXjTFhbJpJGKtl2VczT8i3Ot36zXqBtcBy73fGoj2glm9CRrb-RybPOOobGNPYJTNoAUroISfUYDgMGNaEWR_/s400/IMG_0004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312200683995712226" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Once I swallowed my <span style="font-style: italic;">macho</span> pride (has that ever been said before in reference to knitting, I wonder?), though, this crazy garter-stitch concoction went <span style="font-style: italic;">very</span> quickly. And so clever, too! Decreasing to create miters, increasing to add fullness, more decreasing, then increasing...and so on. And really, when the knitting is done, it <span style="font-style: italic;">doesn't</span> look like anything.<br /></div></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtCvpB5M7duuZxkTLFGVwSQjMBAHafSoTYsusxZX1XvgV4KyZEUzZ2a8MfVIsDwDCIHNrK0pMTYOA0XaXNADNouYfOwWL-z5wAAQDFSLqDtN2PKm_6rpv3V8sX83R8odHUa6T1dQl8Dmv/s1600-h/IMG_0005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtCvpB5M7duuZxkTLFGVwSQjMBAHafSoTYsusxZX1XvgV4KyZEUzZ2a8MfVIsDwDCIHNrK0pMTYOA0XaXNADNouYfOwWL-z5wAAQDFSLqDtN2PKm_6rpv3V8sX83R8odHUa6T1dQl8Dmv/s400/IMG_0005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312191475034906786" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Fellow knitters not familiar with the pattern occasionally would ask what I was working on and then stare with puzzlement at the not-quite-a-parabola thinger hanging off my needles. It became really fun to lay it out and fold it up into what it would become, though.</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRE7tt6CleZuF0BkwURYhv0diJkPuCjso-JlXCDZF2b9TaAFh_s_AX9s87hkJUgcAxXsxQHo-iXmIE43OaNA3W9T1ZO0gNEng0oLpXJwqRbH0xm7Ag0O6vLyx3Lj0-l9RmXglRolJ_gqT9/s1600-h/IMG_0023.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRE7tt6CleZuF0BkwURYhv0diJkPuCjso-JlXCDZF2b9TaAFh_s_AX9s87hkJUgcAxXsxQHo-iXmIE43OaNA3W9T1ZO0gNEng0oLpXJwqRbH0xm7Ag0O6vLyx3Lj0-l9RmXglRolJ_gqT9/s400/IMG_0023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312193472727643938" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">True to Liz Z's words, though, sew up a coupla seams and <span style="font-style: italic;">voila! Baby Surprise Jacket!</span> For those who are curious: I knit this for a dear friend's baby. While I'm not the kind of knitter to make something just because I <span style="font-style: italic;">can</span>, I was curious about this little feat of knitted engineering, and was actually glad to have a legitimate reason to do so. :o)<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYHG1vCX7d5gBaeQZRCSKvMgIP7bmmyVes2R6uvduG29M2f91AMi8h6cqaEUF0kfDV3qzR9JrKUKUgzohgwVj7ie86rp1NPeUMrt2lZOPLN1tbyiBH3GcWuDQGqYdgByPE1iu66YJMA5h/s1600-h/IMG_0013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYHG1vCX7d5gBaeQZRCSKvMgIP7bmmyVes2R6uvduG29M2f91AMi8h6cqaEUF0kfDV3qzR9JrKUKUgzohgwVj7ie86rp1NPeUMrt2lZOPLN1tbyiBH3GcWuDQGqYdgByPE1iu66YJMA5h/s400/IMG_0013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312191478638551362" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Until next time, my knittas, keep on knitting because it's comforting, knit because it's fun, knit because it gives you something to do with your nervous hands, knit because you always wanted to learn how, knit something pretty, knit something tacky, knit something you've always wanted, but keep on knitting.<br /></div>TricotChicohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945843275410908129noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4798105014723493510.post-8192928774176582602009-03-02T22:04:00.000-08:002010-04-04T18:17:11.960-07:00Circle Takes the Square: A Seamless Raglan Beanie<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVuS4VVDmF2zV8fcmYfCOEhxe6zNCHfcyjaHs-gs-texrYi5VOOBs1ngCmr3lGH_Vb4RjEFNNDQFWlEm8yMzx2re003Jv820IE94m9-InPlQyj7ril-f76pBHqHFP67Z3DTjdi5G_2h_Xc/s1600-h/Circle+Takes+the+Square+OG.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 380px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVuS4VVDmF2zV8fcmYfCOEhxe6zNCHfcyjaHs-gs-texrYi5VOOBs1ngCmr3lGH_Vb4RjEFNNDQFWlEm8yMzx2re003Jv820IE94m9-InPlQyj7ril-f76pBHqHFP67Z3DTjdi5G_2h_Xc/s400/Circle+Takes+the+Square+OG.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308856893017772418" border="0" /></a>Circle Takes the Square is a basic striped beanie with squares framed and created by its raglan decreases. You can easily switch up the look of the hat with your color choice. It can be collegiate, hip, goth, or mod—the power is <span style="font-style: italic;">yours</span>!<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />In striped knitting in the round (like this hat), I recommend carrying the yarn along the inside of the work (both for the sake of reducing the finishing work to be done and for ‘yarn economy’) and working the <a href="http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/tips/jogless.htm">jogless stripes technique</a> at the color change. It’s super-easy and incredibly effective in hiding the “hiccup” that can occur when switching color. The doubled decreases are worked side-by-side and create a “seam” that really pops and brings structure to the hat.<br /><br />The full pattern is published here, but it's also available for download as a free PDF at the bottom of this post!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> Sizes</span> :<br />S (M, L) to fit a head approx 20” (22”, 24”) in circumference. The Medium is probably what would work for most adults.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Gauge:</span><br />18 sts and 24 rows/4” in st st on larger needles. For the ribbing, use a needle 2 sizes smaller than the one you use to get this gauge in st st. This will create a more uniform knit-stitch size between the ribbing and the stockinette stitch<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Materials:</span><br />• Worsted weight yarn in 2 colors, approx 80g of each. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/TricotChico/circle-takes-the-square">I used Cascade 220 in Jet (MC) and Ruby (CC)</a> for the Black & Red version. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/TricotChico/circle-takes-the-square-2">I used Cascade 220 in Jet (MC) and Louet Riverstone in Caribbean Blue (CC)</a> for the Black & Blue version. (You can use any worsted weight yarn that will get you the gauge noted above.)<br />• US 7 circular needle and/or DPNs and US 5 circular needle and/or DPNs OR the size you need to get gauge!<br />• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Make It!</span><br />With smaller needles, CO 88 (96, 104) sts in MC and PM. Join to work in the round.<br />Rows 1-7: K1, [p2, k2] to last st. K last st.<br />Row 8: Switch to larger needle, K all sts<br />Row 9-15: twisting yarns at join, switch to CC and k all sts. Don’t forget to work jogless stripes on the first stich of the 2nd row in CC (7 rows total in CC).<br />Row 16: Switch to MC and knit as rows 9-15. Switch colors every 7 rows until hat measures<br />approx 3” (3.5”, 4”) from CO edge*. On last round, [K 22 (24, 26) sts and PM], repeat for all sts<br />on this round. Next round: begin <span style="font-style: italic;">decrease rows</span>.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">*Be the Boss! As written, the hat should just barely cover the top of the wearer’s ears. This is how I like to wear my beanies, but if you’d like your beanie to cover the wearer’s ears, then add about 1.5” of length. Continue striping until hat measures 4.5” (5”, 5.5”) from CO edge.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGeTkHGkj8ZdsNc_FIn2hx2hyphenhyphen74u3G7FxoiFtiMKY6x5-TkX7AW-3OgTHZpEMkCC42HBlEL3Rv9oiQgDayIbQlj0T5e6TsuUh-PtrMCHhu2SNyLBxmBP3TO7pKxduVmMUEdTskuyH_6_Ho/s1600-h/CTTS+b2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGeTkHGkj8ZdsNc_FIn2hx2hyphenhyphen74u3G7FxoiFtiMKY6x5-TkX7AW-3OgTHZpEMkCC42HBlEL3Rv9oiQgDayIbQlj0T5e6TsuUh-PtrMCHhu2SNyLBxmBP3TO7pKxduVmMUEdTskuyH_6_Ho/s400/CTTS+b2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308856355735355218" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Decrease rows:</span><br />[Ssk, k 18 (20, 22) sts, k2tog], repeat around. 80 (88, 96) sts remaining.<br />Next round: k all sts.<br />So you’ll be working the decreases in this manner: k2tog on the <span style="font-style: italic;">right </span>side of the stitch marker, and SSK on the <span style="font-style: italic;">left </span>side of the stitch marker, then knitting all stitches on one row in between decrease rows (line-by-line directions below). Remember to change colors every 7 rows. It becomes really fiddly to work the jogless stripe for color changes once you start decreasing, but give it a go if you feel adventurous! Continue this way until you end up w/16 sts after decreasing, then work<span style="font-style: italic;"> finishing.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Decrease line-by-line:</span><br />After working first decrease round and k all sts on the next round (as indicated above):<br />[Ssk, k 16 (18, 20) sts, k2tog], repeat around 72 (80, 88) sts, Next round: k all sts.<br />[Ssk, k 14 (16, 18) sts, k2tog], repeat around 64 (72, 80) sts, Next round: k all sts.<br />[Ssk, k 12 (14, 16) sts, k2tog], repeat around 56 (64, 72) sts, Next round: k all sts.<br />[Ssk, k 10 (12, 14) sts, k2tog], repeat around 48 (56, 64) sts, Next round: k all sts.<br />[Ssk, k 8 (10, 12) sts, k2tog], repeat around 40 (48, 56) sts, Next round: k all sts.<br />[Ssk, k 6 (8, 10) sts, k2tog], repeat around 32 (40, 48) sts, Next round: k all sts.<br />[Ssk, k 4 (6, 8) sts, k2tog], repeat around 24 (32, 40) sts, Next round: k all sts.<br />[Ssk, k 2 (4, 6) sts, k2tog], repeat around 16 (24, 32) sts, For the Small size, break yarn and finish according to directions below, for other sizes: Next round: k all sts.<br />[Ssk, k -- (2, 4) sts, k2tog], repeat around -- (16, 24) sts, For the Med. size, break yarn and finish according to directions below, for Large size: Next round: k all sts.<br />[Ssk, k -- (--, 2) sts, k2tog], repeat around -- (--, 16) sts, finish as noted below.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Npt2V9RdbsT6kfKyn9eHfNmiNTFOpltRYtbsGg1-9vNjUybZtQLb0ojFIj3r9nnyhtTH_6TVLjZxaZVavdVoBM7IuRkxeQu4bf7lqtCgutPLpiTwtVO17WT80qcA-cQ-apAOzXv4vPkJ/s1600-h/CTTS+b1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Npt2V9RdbsT6kfKyn9eHfNmiNTFOpltRYtbsGg1-9vNjUybZtQLb0ojFIj3r9nnyhtTH_6TVLjZxaZVavdVoBM7IuRkxeQu4bf7lqtCgutPLpiTwtVO17WT80qcA-cQ-apAOzXv4vPkJ/s400/CTTS+b1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308856354054141634" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Finishing:</span><br />break yarn, leaving a tail approx. 10” long. With a tapestry needle, thread this yarn through all remaining sts and pull closed. Weave in ends, place on head, rock the block w/your fancy new hat!<br />__________________________________________________<br />I originally made this hat as a gauge swatch for a yet-to-be-made sweater. Actually, the sweater is about 3/4 finished, but the body is way too big and the neck is way too small (I made it top-down). I now have a copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Knitting-Top-Barbara-G-Walker/dp/0942018095/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1236065572&sr=8-1"><span style="font-style: italic;">Knitting From the Top</span></a> and I plan to use it as a guide when I re-knit it, rather than an online pattern generator that will go unnamed (for <span style="font-style: italic;">shame!!!</span>)<span style="font-style: italic;">. </span>The original hat (the Black & Red one at the top) is already more than a year old, and I wear it almost every. single. day. I kind of love Cascade 220 right now! It's affordable, comes in A LOT of colors, wears well, and it doesn't feel too bad, either!<br /><br />There's a band out there that goes by the name "Circle Takes the Square". I was aware of them when I named the hat, and the name fit, so it stuck. At the time I decided on the name I hadn't ever heard any of their music. Now I have. Suffice to say it's not for me. ;o)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>This pattern PDF is available as a FREE download! Click the button below to download. You do not need to be a Ravelry member in order to download the PDF from this page.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.ravelry.com/dls/homero-luna--david-castillo-designs/14757?filename=Circle_Takes_the_Square_Pattern.pdf"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 60px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTK1FzPCTjAUrwQUzvbmDgqDbmx5XVsnVck498iGGMdGydeZfGk9bAqr4taWTExO-thsj_br6SXNQxCaFOj77qKiLZp8EUOnDqWbIrx2XXcVSijC4bVJ7ANsCt0wWZGpVZZJvnnbwIzDM/s320/download_free_button_rav.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356262682174122434" border="0" /></a><br />Happy knitting!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">EDIT: </span>Visit <a href="http://tricotchico.blogspot.com/">TricotChico.blogspot.com</a> for more knitting patterns by Homero Luna.<br /></div>TricotChicohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945843275410908129noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4798105014723493510.post-31353779102176932132009-02-16T16:58:00.001-08:002009-02-16T21:56:44.108-08:0030 Rounds of Ribbing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhsMIeXonAzLpQaXzph1Hlo5tb3y41Eof7YBBthChRbe3FzPMKqZzfKrttPySr6-2v5zpRX-vaVWjG4N0FjT2Ld-v1tvk_AjVU0bl4tQzpgXeVPhF7lrXtaVXlPyY2cwES2GPXTpWaTc/s1600-h/IMG_0009.jpg"></a><br />It is no secret that i am a devotee of one <a href="http://www.schoolhousepress.com/">Mrs. Elizabeth Zimmerman.</a> (Shock! Awe! You didn't know this was coming!) I'm only short a couple of her books (Hint Hint: Opinionated Knitter and Knitting Around). The most recent one to come into my collection is the timeless classic, Knitting Workshop. <div><br /></div><div>Now, a couple months ago had you asked me "Davitron, What EZ book should I buy first?", my answer would have been, hands down, Knitting Without Tears. But that has changed! Knitting without tears is a FANTASTIC book, but it assumes you know a little more about knitting than you might actually know. Where as Knitting Workshop talks to you like you just finished your first garter-stitch scarf and are eager for more, without making you feel dumb. It speaks very plainly about techniques and reasons-why. For this matter, I'm going to have to say it is now my all-time favorite book. (Notice i didn't clarify with "EZ book" or "Knitting Book". Yeah. I went there.)</div><div><br /></div><div>One of the things that left me the MOST skeptical about this book was Elizabeth's (we're on a first name basis these days) staunch insistance on 30 rounds of 2x2 ribbing at the bottom of each sweater, and at the bottom of each cuff. 30. 30. I'll say it again. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">30.</span> That feel liks an INSANE amount of ribbing. That is knit knit purl purl ad nauseum, et al, por vida, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">FOREVER</span>. </div><div><br /></div><div>That being said, I am almost done with a sleeve on a new design (It is delicious, i tell you what) and i decided to GO FOR IT, and see how this 30-rounds-of-ribbing turns out.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhsMIeXonAzLpQaXzph1Hlo5tb3y41Eof7YBBthChRbe3FzPMKqZzfKrttPySr6-2v5zpRX-vaVWjG4N0FjT2Ld-v1tvk_AjVU0bl4tQzpgXeVPhF7lrXtaVXlPyY2cwES2GPXTpWaTc/s320/IMG_0009.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303640501207258498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>How did it turn out you ask? Why... amazing. Of Course. Liz Doesn't lie (we also have nicknames for one another, of course). But I do have a couple notes on the issue. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWm4tArVLOH6OC8AslCGn6aJpf2liXhfYy5ABPTEpduEiD1feXfRmdBebWHWp9tJSKQE_PVy-K0oRCq6nRIbwbANgcV1RIESkOUIlkYveNZwz4l4fyzMaMXxYFFXE6hhEO_5sdUfSrkbM/s320/IMG_0008.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303640238412720610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>1) EZ does not suggest going down a needle size or two. And honestly, it's not necessary REALLY.. but it looks nice. You're already doing 30 rounds of 2x2 ribbing for the sake of a beautiful sweater, why not try it down a couple needle sizes? What could it hurt, really? It's worth it. It pulls in JUST enough more and looks gorgeous. This way, when your ribbing inevitably settles to be a little less snug and a little more sheer with the rest of your garment, the fact that it's knit at a tighter gauge still allows it to fit closely. </div><div><br /></div><div>2) this is an OK place to decide to knit it flat, if you're going to steek (I will gush about steeking at another point).Cast on a multiple of 4 + 2-stitches. Knit one, Purl1, then K2P2 until the last two stitches, P1, k1. Knit each stitch as it appears on your needle back and forth and back and forth and back and forth for 30 rows, then either do a cable cast-on, knitted cast-on or backwards loop cast-on for the remaining stitches (1,3 or 5, depending on your feelings about steek selvages, i do 5-stitch selvages, so i would cast-on 3 stitches), then join to work in the round. bam! You carry the purl stitch after the first knit stitch, and before the last knit stitch on the selvages allllll the way up. It adds a nice bit of structure. But, that's just my opinion - I'm sure EZ could tell you a half dozen other ways to do it!</div><div><br /></div>Davitronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399675811197816592noreply@blogger.com2