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8/24/2007 9:53:26 AM
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thanks everyone
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That cat is doing her best to take care of you!
Take care
Alice
Salt Spring Island
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8/24/2007 9:58:54 AM
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Trying to get back on track - OT
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Are you doing your summer rain dance, Benne? Hope that your weather is not so hot and humid this week - everything is so much harder to cope with when the air is hot and sticky.
Sending strength to Thom to make his way through what lies ahead. To you, too.
Alice
Salt Spring Island
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8/24/2007 10:25:15 AM
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Poll: Where to next, ladies?
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I`m really getting hooked on this modular construction that I`m doing for the Welsh trip. Back and front panels knitted straight (but for a woman with the front longer than the back) with only neck and shoulder shaping in stitch pattern, colourwork, knitted on the diagonal, or whatever. After joining at the shoulders with 3-needle bind-off, I then pick up stitches on the vertical edges and knit strips in garter stitch (or another pattern) . The fronts of these have decreases to create bust darts where they need to be until front and back edges are the same length. These strips get divided horizontally for side panels, knitted to fit, and joined with 3-needle bind-off, and for the sleeves. A gusset under the sleeve adds action room without bulk.
Individual fit, back and front hanging evenly at the same length, no seams to sew up, very comfortable to wear, can be pullover or cardigan with long or short sleeves, or vest, panels can be as simple or complicated as you like - what more could a knitter want????
Maybe Ann will let me post a pattern after the retreat is over.
Alice
Salt Spring Island
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8/24/2007 5:50:16 PM
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Poll: Where to next, ladies?
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With modular construction, the back can be longer than the front if that`s what you need. The back panel can be wider or narrower than the front one or shaped with short rows. One sleeve can be larger than the other to cope with all sorts of physical problems.Side shaping can define a waist, or waist area. Hips can be larger or smaller than bust. Short rows can do wonders.
Great thing is that you don`t have to make a final decision on the width before you begin. You get to try on and look at yourself as you go. Decide you want more shaping - try some short rows or decreasing.
Alice
Salt Spring Island
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8/25/2007 10:47:16 PM
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Elann cotton aran cable
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I knitted with it for two of the samples for the Welsh retreat. A woman`s short sleeved wrap cardigan and a man`s long sleeved v-neck pullover. These were both a mix of stocking stitch and garter stitch with knit/purl patterns. Yarn has good definition, knits to gauge consistently, and has lots of substance - pleasant to knit. I used the Cape Cod Blue (great colour) and the Grand Canyon. I`m going to make a belt for the cardigan with Grand Canyon, Natural, and Persimmon. These are not my colours at all, but will look good on Jenny.
Alice
Salt Spring Island
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8/25/2007 11:03:10 PM
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Modulars
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If any of you are serious about the Welsh retreat and making a modular sweater with personal fit and no seams, the retreat is not full. If you want to come and have a passport (or can get one within 4 weeks), together we can find you a flight into Cardiff, Manchester, or even London, from where you can take the train. E-mail me at truemana@telus.net
Alice
Salt Spring Island
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8/26/2007 11:28:59 AM
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Modulars
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How long does passport renewal take? Plead with the authorities! Renewal has now been speeded up in Canada. Ask your doctors about travelling, they may suggest that it would be good for you. There`s a medical centre with 5 doctors in Kington (about 10 minutes away) and Hereford, the county seat, has had a hospital since the twelth century, with a new facility which opened in 2002 including a cancer care unit, just in case you needed some care, or stubbed your toe!
Alice
Salt Spring Island
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8/26/2007 11:33:15 AM
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Alice, about your modulars-
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I`ll try to put together a list, Bets, and post it.
Alice
Salt Spring Island
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8/27/2007 9:50:07 AM
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Intarsia vs. Fair Isle--yarn consumption-
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Bets, the version of `Brocade` which I have is reprinted in "A Treasury of Rowan Knits" is knitted in fair isle with Rowan`s Wool Cotton (50%wool/50%cotton) at 25st and 29rows = 4". This is with stranding. With two-handed fair isle you will probably have few stitches to 4", so watch the size you knit.
Looking at the charts, intarsia would be very difficult as there is so much intertwining of the leaves. With carrying the yarn across the back for the next piece of leaf, you would end up with just as much yarn as with fair isle and a whole lot of ends to deal with.
I`d advise going for it in two-handed fair isle - one ball of yarn each side of you - no tangles and no sagging stitches.
Alice
Salt Spring Island
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8/27/2007 10:26:08 AM
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Baby Pattern Suggestions for Blue Sky Organic Cotton
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Almost any toque pattern for worsted weight should work out. Here`s a very quick version:
Using 4mm needles, cast on 72 stitches. Knit 7-8 inches in stocking stitch (bottom will roll up). Then start the decreases - [knit 6, K2tog] to end of round.
Knit a row with no decreasing. Then [knit 5, K2tog] to the end. Knit a row with no decreasing. Continue decreasing every other row until 18 stitches remain. K2tog to end. Cut yarn about 9" from last stitch. Weave the yarn through the live stitches two or three times, pull up tightly, and fasten the end securely.
I use a circular needle for the whole operation, just pulling the cable between stitches for the decreasing.
I wouldn`t worry too much about booties. Most mothers here use the stretchy terry sleepers that have feet on them. In cold climates booties can be put over the top of the feet of the sleepers but my DS just flung his out of his cradle and playpen and DD used hers as chew toys (except for a pair of Cowichan Indian ones which she would admire at great length with her feet up in the air). If you have extra yarn, knit a bib or two or three rather than booties.
For a really useful bib, knit an 8 inch square with the top edge shaped for the neck - centre an arc about 1" deep and 5" wide. Make I-cord long enough for a tie, attached I-cord around the nech edge, and then another tie to match the first. Voila - an organic bib!
Alice
Salt Spring Island
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8/27/2007 10:37:32 AM
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Pattern YUCK!
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Oh, oh, there are two Kaffe Fassett patterns named "Brocade". I`ve been looking at the other one - it has an all-over pattern in twined leaves in grey/lavender on a coral background in the photo. I think you are planning to knit the other one. What I posted elsewhere won`t make sense.
Alice
Salt Spring Island
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8/27/2007 10:43:31 AM
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I`m having a problem
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I have it 3/4 knitted. Is it the casting-on for the stairstep increases? They are made every second colour change, but on the last two rows of the colour just ending.
Repost and I can be more specific if this is not the problem.
Alice
Salt Spring Island
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8/27/2007 10:48:24 AM
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Intarsia vs. Fair Isle--yarn consumption-
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Just discovered that there are two Kaffe Fassett patterns named `Brocade`. I was looking at the one with the twining leaves.
Alice
Salt Spring Island
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8/29/2007 3:27:45 PM
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Look at all the luscious alpaca coming up!
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Thinking of you and Thom, Benne.
Alice
Salt Spring Island
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9/1/2007 10:50:50 AM
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subscription question
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With the skeins subscription you get many more electronic vouchers - it`s virtually free! All you have to do is buy yarn and you`re going to do that anyway.
Alice
Salt Spring Island
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9/1/2007 10:50:50 AM
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subscription question
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With the skeins subscription you get many more electronic vouchers - it`s virtually free! All you have to do is buy yarn and you`re going to do that anyway.
Alice
Salt Spring Island
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9/4/2007 9:42:01 AM
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having a problem with sleeves on Katia Mississippi Cardigan
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Measure around the armhole of your knitting, then measure around your arm where the sleeve with begin, add about 2 inches of ease. Compare the two measurements. Choose one or somewhere in between. Multiply by you stitch gauge = number of stitches you want to pickup. Pick up these stitches with a smaller needle. Place marker at shoulder seam.
Consult your pattern to find the number of stitches in the straight cast-off at the top of the conventional sleeve and divide this by 2 - call this `A`. With the size needle for your gauge, knit around the sleeve stitches to the shoulder seam marker, then knit `A` more. Wrap and turn and purl to the shoulder seam then purl `A` more (same distance each side of shoulder marker). Wrap and turn and knit to first wrap, knit wrap, plus three stitches more. Wrap and turn, purl across to the wrap, purl it up and three stitches more. Continue adding three more stitches each end until you come to the bottom of the vertical part of the sleeve, then knit across the stitches on the flat part. Place marker at side seam and continue in the round working decreases each side of the side seam marker.
I find picking up 3 stitches each time gives a sleeve which lies flat. If you want a puffier sleeve try 2 or even 1 each time BUT then you will need to decrease around the row at a point 2-3 inches down the underarm `seam` of the sleeve to bring it back to normal size.
Alice
Salt Spring Island
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9/4/2007 9:49:36 AM
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sleeve question
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Libby, I posted a fairly long answer - got the message back that it was posted but it hasn`t come up yet. Essentially, knit to 1.5 inches past shoulder seam on each side, W&T. Next row knit up the wrap and 3 stitches more, W&T. Add 3 stitches more each side around the vertical part of the armhole.
Alice
Salt Spring Island
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9/4/2007 10:02:35 PM
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sleeve question
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Libby, measure around the armhole of the sweater, measure around your arm at the same point, add ease and compare with armhole circumference. Decide on a measurement, multiply by gauge, and pick-up this many stitches using a smaller needle.Place marker at shoulder seam.
Then look at the pattern to see the final number of stitches cast off at the top of the sleeve. You are
going to centre this number on the shoulder marker. Say the number is 22, with your regular needle knit to the shoulder marker plus 11 more stitches. W & T and purl back to the shoulder marker and then 11 more stitches, W & T. Knit past the shoulder marker to the wrapped stitch on the knit row, knit 3 more stitches, knitting up the wrap with the first one (14 stitches past the shoulder marker), W & T. Purl back to the wrapped stitch on the last purl row, purl 3, purling the wrap with the first one (14 stitches past the shoulder marker), W & T. At the end of each short row you are knitting up 3 more stitches from your pick-up needle and knitting up the wraps as you come to them.
Continue this way until you have used up all the picked-up stitches on the vertical part of the armhole. Then knit across the remaining horizontal stitches with no further short rows. Place marker at side seam. Continue knitting down the sleeve, decreasing at both sides of the marker at regular intervals
This will give you a sleeve that lies fairly flat. For a puffier sleeve, W & T after 2 or even 1 extra stitch. Then you will need to decrease at intervals across the sleeve on a row 2-3 inches below the underarm to get rid of bulk.
Looking at Knitting in the Old Way, I find it tricky to achieve a smooth pick-up with no holes with P G-B`s first method. I pick up all around the armhole as she does in her second method, but I start at the underarm rather than close to the shoulder - gives me an end of yarn to tighten up any loose spots under the arm. The extra row of stitches up half of the armhole to reach the shoulder marker don`t show whereas starting and stopping close to the shoulder can show. I pick-up with a smaller needle to keep the stitches tighter.
Hope this makes more sense.
Alice
Salt Spring Island
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9/6/2007 9:58:12 AM
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Knitting Daily-Adventures in Yarn Substitution-
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I`ve always substituted, like Chris only rarely knitted what was called for. Some of the most successful satisfying substitutions were when I was a student in Calgary. Near the university, I discovered a shop called `The Yarn Barn` which sold fine coned yarns - wool and cotton for 25 cents an ounce, silk for 35 cents. The proceedure was to choose a bunch of cones in the colours I wanted and then knit plies together until I achieved the right weight and colour mix. Then a very helpful woman wound the plies together for me, weighted up, and charged me for the ounces. The place was warm, the parking lot was plowed, what more could a displaced West-Coaster want! Somehow everything turned out well and I never ran out of yarn (fatal). Last winter I noticed my daughter wearing one of the sweaters from my Alberta days - a mixture of several shades of blue and green to go with blue jeans of any hue for my summer job in the Rockies - so that yarn had endurance too, I wore that sweater climbing mountains, riding horses, tied to the back of saddles, etc and for years afterward and it`s still going strong.
Never fear substitutions, just read your knitting as you go along.
Alice
Salt Spring Island
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