Knitting

Mmmmm…frosty wonderful! We could say that deadline knitting at the holidays is stressfull…oh we could…but with such a dreamy halo of yarn…my task is a luxury! Behold the inner glow and welcome warmth of Classic Elite Fresco…that soft breath of angora is everything…

and I know this yarn only gets better…

I’ve been occupied with baby gifts and I’ve made a couple of baby earflap hats from my Cabled Chullo pattern, no good pictures yet … for a sneak-peak pop over and see my Ravelry projects page.

And now for a treat, Out of Narnia, by Su Blackwell

This cold snowy Saturday found my students and I, happy and warm, inside the cheery back atelier of Stitch DC. Stranded colorwork was a brand new experience for some, and others had done just a bit. I was amazed at what was accomplished in just one sitting! It is so much fun to watch the formerly hesitant, unsure stitchers become bold with their color choices and confident in their technique. Color combinations we thought might not work, surprised us with their charm.  Our yarn choice, Blue Sky Sport Weight Baby Alpaca, a beautiful dream of a yarn, with a wide color range, was perfect for our fingerless mitts. My low light photography does not do them justice, and remember they have not been blocked.

Marie, owner of Stitch DC–lively and fun– sat in on the class. As she stitched away she shared with us Blue Sky’s preferred method of squeezing the moisture out of a newly washed item: place between 2 layers of toweling and beat with a wooden spoon. Yes–she swears it’s true…I will love this procedure.

And Hello! Marie provided us with a breakfast of homemade soda bread and delicious coffee, a yum lunch of artisan pizzas and spinach salad, did I forget her killer brownies? What a day. My students were an interesting and open bunch, who accomplished so much – I had the best time, I am proud of them all!

731 8th St SE • Washington DC • (202) 544-8900

This is one of our clan’s  favorite hats. It is a simple, satisfyingly quick knit and fits a lot of different head sizes, and personalities. Best of all it doesn’t take a lot of yarn so its a pretty good stash buster. The body of the hat takes less than 125 yds of bulky weight yarn, and the pompoms only add another 20 or so. I’m having a hard time finding my youthful goddess models, so I have to scarily make do with myself!

Buy it here in my Shop!

Or Ravel it!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Eat lots of pie!

Do you read Clara Parkes? The wunderkind behind the original intersection of the nets and handwork, Knitters Review? She’s got a new book out, The Knitter’s Book of Wool that I love, (as you see Leelee does too).  Clara’s musings are as delightful and sensuous as the best food writers, only her subject is Wool, with a capitol W. She takes you through the topic, from the anatomy of the fiber, the process of turning fiber to yarn, through the pastures of sheep and the different fleeces they grow, to dying and blending and plying, topped off with a great selection of patterns.

On Saturday, my fiber-road-pal, Astrig and I made the journey to String Theory, a yarn shop in Blue Hill, Maine, which hosted a book signing with the esteemed Ms. Parks. What a nice time it was. First of all the shop is delightful – warm, comfortable and colorful – located in a historic house brightly painted yellow with red trim. Owners Karen and Tanis are artists and the creators of String Theory Yarns, a wide range of brilliantly colored yarns dyed in small batches in their homes. The shop is loaded with a their signature yarns as well as a wide assortment of other yarns from around the world. The snug back room, houses books and cozy seating for reading, relaxing and knitting.

Adding to this wonderful environment was Clara,  sparkling with wit.  She brought a sweet round wicker basket which sprung open, popping out armloads of sample garments. Now Clara’s book has lovely photographs by Alexandra Grablewski,  but in real-life the items are even more beautiful – irresistable, astonishing! We compared the same patterns using different fiber yarns, finding our preference was usually an individual choice, based on what we’d use the garment for in our own lives. Very interesting and thought provoking…tempting me with spinning again. (wait, don’t stop there…raising sheep!) Clara’s knowledge of the subject is encyclopedic, though she shares it in a low key, relaxed way punctuated with wryly amusing stories.  And she’s a mimic! Ha! So funny!

I hope to cross paths with Clara again, and envy those who are participating in her Knitter’s Review Retreat this week. String Theory has a knitting group every Saturday, so I’m hoping to join in sometime soon. See you there!