YARNED

Noro challenge

Kamicha, February 24th, 2008, in Uncategorized
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I got myself few of these fabulous skeins of Noro Kochoran. As yarn it is probably the most luxurious, most beautiful I’ve ever seen. The colours range from deep wine to hot fuchsia, to white, coolest mint green, peach, teal, taupe, olive and rich yellow with green tint, all wrapped together to lovely handspun. A gorgeous white halo of angora wraps the whole package. The combination makes me think those travelling fun fairs with candy coloured but weathered equipment ant graphics.

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In spite of all that serious yarn love I have strong doubts if I’m able to convert that thing to wearable and equally tempting knitted item. Right now I’m pretty sure, that it shall be a plush shawl knitted with some rich texture stitch (I’ve done my dose of garter stitch for this winter). I’ve also considered a sweater, knitted carefully in circle, matching those colour pools exactly. But I’m pretty sure that this colourway is not for that purpose.

And Selma - well, I’m almost there. Only those about one million yarn ends waiting for weaving in are in between us.

More about Chelsea - and one pair of socks

Kamicha, February 20th, 2008, in Uncategorized
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So, this is Wenlan Chia’s Chelsea Sweater, washed and modeled. It shrinked a bit lengthwise, but I’d say that length is still pretty good, great paired with clothes gathered on natural waistline.

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I like the shruglike appearance of it weared open.

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But with simple cord it can be easily attached from one point - or even laced from several loops.

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Oh, another FO, these socks have been on my needles for ages! Embossed Leaves from Interweave’s Favorite Sock. Yarn is Koigu KPM - simply lovely sock yarn. It’s a shame that it is impossible find in Europe. Some UK webshops sell KPPM, but I’m not so into those multicolours…

Fast Forward

Kamicha, February 15th, 2008, in Uncategorized
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I accidentally end up knitting Chelsea Sweater from Wenlan Chia’s Big City Knits. I was not immediately drawn to this design, but some very beautiful finished objects in Ravelry opened my eyes.

And oh boy, this was a fast knit. I casted on Wednesday, had some time to knit yesterday and finished this morning. Yarn is Colourmart DK weight cashmere silk in colourway Tussah, two cones with very little remains. I used 3 strands together to get just slightly denser gauge than advised, compensated with larger size and few additional rows. I made some minor adjustments for the pattern, front edges and sleeve caps are shaped gently. I was not bothered about the pattern errors - but I seldom follow the patterns to the letter, so that’s probably the explanation.

That dress underneath is actually a bustier dress, it hangs too up to look natural. And the material is pretty stiff, it draws the knit to this A-lined shape. That crocheted part actually begins nicely from my natural waistline, and the overall impression of the knit is pretty fitting. I will model this cardigan later.

I’m not sure if that pinky-orangey dress is enough to qualify this as a Project Spectum work =).

I haven’t washed and blocked the garment yet - there will probably be a beautiful bloom with this yarn. I took one closeup of the knitted surface, just to compare later. This image shows better the beautiful, slightly pinkish natural shade of this yarn - at least in my monitor.

Oh and here is Selma. This heap of knitted material has overwhelmed me so that I haven’t been able to put the pieces together. No, I don’t have any antipathy for finishing work (actually I like them), but sometimes with large projects I’m so tired to even see the material that I have to put it aside for a while and wait for a true inspiration. I know that it will come soon!

Fiery?

Kamicha, February 13th, 2008, in Uncategorized
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Okay, I searched my stash for fiery findings and guess what.

Pretty lame, isn’t it? I guess that those bright or deep red shades just don’t belong to my palette. And I have decided to mainly bust my stash during this years Project Spectrum, so there is no fancy yarn shopping at sight. So I’m considering a very broad definition for the colour pink and aim to use at least half of these in the first section of Project Spectrum.

Allthough the yarns are somewhat bland coloured, they are otherwise gorgeous. That peachy pink is Kidsilk Haze. Very dusty old rose coloured, almost brown cakes and cone are Colourmart fine cobweb weight cashmere silk blend. That cone contains a whopping 5500 m (6000 yards) of yarn - even knitted four strands together that should be well enough for lacy tank top that I have in mind. Cool pink and natural with very slight pinkish undertone are both Colourmart DK weight cashmere silks. That natural should be enough for Wenlan Chia’s Chelsea cardigan. I have no plans for that strawberry milkshake coloured yarn, though.

When I’m planning new knits from stratch I allways sketch something, just to get a clear idea about the construction and actually see the proportions of the non-existing garment. Those sketches are seldom pretty, I might use some ballpoint pen and margins of magazine in a hurry to get knitting.

On the other hand, I have a love for ink and I have promised myself to sketch more thoughtfully. Fortunately not all my ink bottles were dried in their unused state, when I rushed to them after photographing my “fiery” stash. Just one minute of very generous sketching and now I have a plan for that pinky-peachy Kidsilk. I will make a very light oversized coverup, long sleeves with lace sections. That would blend nicely my wardrobe without being overtly romantic.

That is still far from thoughtful and neat. And it took 10 minutes to clean the floor after sketching…

Cilla - free pattern!

Kamicha, February 9th, 2008, in free pattern
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Another day I thought to myself: why don’t I have any knitted headwear that I’d love to wear on a daily basis? I live on a cold climate after all and those headpieces are so fast and nice to knit. Then I started to collect a list of properties of my preferred knitted headwear.

It should be simple. Allthough I love skillfully made embellishments, my everyday style is more or less minimalistic and straightforward, so there is no order for frills this time.
In spite of that it should add some spice to my everyday outfits AND look good on top of my locks.
I would love if there were several ways to wear it.
It should be made of 100% wool.
It should leave no marks on forehead when weared extended times - i want a loose knit.
It should be large enough to cover all my hair - even when my mane is in it’s long state.
And ohh, what if it would go well together with my beloved Lumi Accessories handbag!

So I took my DPN:s and some worsted weight wool in perfect petroleum blue shade to meet some friends of mine at the local pub. Few hours of knitting with couple of pints of decent lager and I had a simple ribbed hat on my needles. On the next morning (there was no hangover, if you asked) I fitted and finished Cilla - a slouchy convertible ribbed beanie of mine.

The basic form is all about the slouchiness and the size - just right, roomy enough to cover the hair and give a nice silhouette. And I love the bold colour, too!

It can be easily moulded to resemble a beret. (Gee, I hate to model my crafts…). This form can be emphasized even more by wet blocking the beanie to shape.

Or the edge can be turned up for a sporty version of a beanie (not exactly my preferred style but might be handy sometimes…).

And here we go: this is my first free pattern!

Download the PDF here. NOTE: pattern updated for sizing information!

To be honest there is not much pattern in this, but I really needed something very simple to start with, just to get going easily. And I wanted to sample some fonts and basic layout of a pattern. All feedback about pattern, instructions, layout etc. is highly appreciated!

OMG, enough yarn!

Kamicha, February 4th, 2008, in Uncategorized
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I admit that I’ve been neglecting Selma lately, fear of running out of yarn has seriously held me back. But one row here and there makes still progression with bulky yarn - and today I realized that there actually is enough yarn.

I also found some very nice buttons…

Everything is not perfect, though. As you can see from the image the button band is too wide for these buttons. And the first sleeve version needs some adjustment, too. Allthough the sleeve opening of Selma is not fitted at all the sleeve should be to set in perfectly. The opening is in unorthodox position and stretches to remind remotely fitted sleeve opening. But re-knitting these won’t take ages!

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I’m so exited about designing knits right now! My main inspiration seems to bee a beautiful material that hits just the right note for some vague idea that has been around for a while… I have a whole new perspective for my small stash. And I have started to make some small purchases, just for swatching purposes…

This chartreuse Habu cashmere speaks to me, loud!

One faint whisper of an idea combines shiny and matte texture - like this powdery Rowan 4 Ply Cotton and Garnstudio Cotton Viscose (just for swatching, just for swatching…)

And I’d love to design thunder gray socks from lovely Koigu!

What if one would be productive enough to design one pattern for every four Project Spectrum elements… …I shall search my stash for fiery findings!

Hippy chic?

Kamicha, February 2nd, 2008, in Uncategorized
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These Silk Garden Lite socks were a whip to knit. I followed loosely the directions from IK “Better Socks from Toe Up” article and I think that I made a stable relationship to eastern cast on involving no grafting, picking up stitches or fuss of any kind. Heel is an improved version from short row heel and I made it deepish for my somewhat jutting little heel.

I have to say that I loved Silk Garden. It was nice to work with, it had just right amount of variation of weight and very nice “fiber sizzle” to make the knitted surface to look interesting. I know that people have different attitudes towards that organic matter in yarn, but I happen to love it. Knitted socks are soft and seem to soften in use and probably in wash, too.

Well, that colour… …I’m afraid on getting the police to home inspection for possible hemp farm when I’m wearing these out at town. Hard to imagine this colourway in any other use than in socks. But I’m throwing myself a Noro challenge - to design a piece from Noro yarn that I actually love to wear. So impressed I was about the yarn quality.

Ohh, these are actually nice with my red rubber boots. My acid green umbrella was sorry not to attend the happy group picture. That colour shyness of mine tends to wash away on rainy days…

Who would know…

Ophicleide

Kamicha, January 28th, 2008, in Uncategorized
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I have challenged myself to knit mainly my own designs this year - and after this first attempt I feel no regrets!

Let me introduce you Ophicleide, a short sleeved top-down knitted cardigan in beautiful brass shade of Rowan Wool Cotton (thus the name of brass instrument).

I’m so sorry about the image quality. We live in the lowest floor and the darkest time of the year doesn’t actually help. But I guess that you can get the big picture. Another shot:

I really need to steam those front pieces to help them to set.

Detail shots are actually better, that windowsill is the brightest spot of the whole apartment.

Yoke is textured with knit and purl stitches, extended stitches and slipped stitches. One increase row is incorporated to the pattern. Neck opening and sleeves are finished with i-cord. Simple metal hooks and loops are used as fastening.

Some short rows shape both the neck opening and modest pouf sleeves. Narrow garter stitch border is used for fronts and hem.

I guess that we will live happily ever after!

Selma is hemmed

Kamicha, January 21st, 2008, in Uncategorized
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Another attempt was a success and I managed to create a hem for Selma, a ribbing without pulling or excessive ruffling. Now I just realized that I probably don’t have enough yarn. Sleeves from different dye lot, perhaps, that won’t do too much damage to overall look…

When shopping the 100 cm circular for that hem something snapped in my head and I bought two balls of Noro Silk Garden Lite. I have a love-hate relationship to Noro yarns. I love the rustique feel of those yarns and love the overall look. But colours tend to hurt my delicate eye. This particular shade, however, makes me think spring. And at this time of year I’m somewhat sensitive to such thoughts.