Thursday, February 26, 2009

Why do we persevere?

I'm knitting a pair of socks. That should come as no surprise to those who know me. But I'm really not loving this sock. Sure, it's pretty. It's a Nancy Bush Estonian lace pattern so it has to be good. But really, I'm bored with them. And I'm not really crazy about the yarn either. Yes; it has two of my favorite colors (purple and green) and it is a fairly popular yarn on Ravelry (with 846 projects and 985 stashes). Jojoland Melody Superwash. It's a superwash wool, so it should be nice to work with, but I just don't like it. It's splitty and the "ball" falls apart as you knit so you end up with these clumps of yarn that you have to stop and wind back onto your ball (which keeps it in order until you use all that up and then another big clump decides to fall off and needs rewinding). I'm not having an enjoyable experience with it. I've repeated the lace pattern (which consists of four rows, two of which are that ever difficult stitch referred to as K in knitting) twenty-six times already and quite frankly I don't really want to do it anymore. But I have to finish. I have to keep going. I have to get to the end.

So just a little while ago I was sitting knitting on these blasted socks and thought to myself, "Self, why are you doing this?" And really (in the memorable words of GIR from Invader Zim) "I dooooon't know!" Perhaps it is a feeling that if I admit that this project is A) boring me B) not enjoyable and C) not promising the best expectations that perhaps I will appear A) ADD B) picky or C) snobby. But none of those are true (well, ok, I can be picky - if not I wouldn't be complaining, right?) Perhaps it has to do with commitments. I committed to this yarn and pattern so therefore I have to sally forth and finish it. It isn't like I need a pair of socks (the gods know that I have plenty of woolly goodness for my feet). It isn't as though I don't have other sock yarn (and other yarn) to knit (the goddesses have blessed me with lovely skeins of lovely yarnage.) It isn't like I don't have other patterns that are more entertaining (I mean I only own five books totally devoted to socks, have 108 patterns in my pdf's on Ravelry (80% socks), 200 patterns favorited in Ravelry (80% socks), 27 sock patterns in Explorer "favorites" that aren't in pdf format, and another 100 patterns in my documents - I may not live long enough to knit all the patterns I that I have loved and these crafty designers keep creating more and more unique patterns.) There is just some urge that tells me to keep on knitting.

Perhaps in my last life I never finished stuff I started. My next life should get a break.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Knotions Spring '09 Review

If anything in this issue of Knotions, you should take a moment to read the review of the new knitting magazine Nashua Handknits. It is a sister production of Rowan, so if you are fond of Rowan Nashua might be worth a look. After this review I am quite excited to get my local booksellers to carry this magazine. Take a look for yourself at the Nashau Handknits review by Carol J. Sulcoski (keep an eye on that name you will see it often in this month’s Knotions!)

On to the patterns, which is (generally) the primary reason we read knitting magazines.

First I want to say that I like how Knotions has patterns grouped by theme. In Lovely Layers we are presented with:

Textured Argyle and Diamond shell by Margit Sage of Fiber Fiend. While it is nice layered, I really think that this pullover could be worn on its own as the weather warms up. It seems like it would be a quick knit worked with worsted weight yarn on size 8 needles and with sizes going up to an XXXL (which really is in the size range for an XXXL). I like how there are several options given for yarn, one in a nicer wool and one in a quality cotton wool blend. Very affordable at only 5-9 balls of Knit Picks Main Line (and very comfy being a cotton wool blend!)

Colonade Cardi by Jody Pirrello (also the editor for Knotions or maybe she’s just the brain child, either way I like her and her involvement in Knotions) is a soft (and affordable) knit. The featured yarn is Lion Brand’s Cotton Ease, a 50/50 cotton/acrylic blend that is easily found and very affordable, especially with those JoAnn coupons!). It goes up to a 52” bust with a recommendation of a 2” ease. This is a simple ¾ sleeve cardi with a delicate working on the sleeves and around the edge. This may actually go into my queue and a possibility for that spring sweater I am seeking (although I’m not crazy about the collar on me.)

The Rubina t-shirt by Sabine Riefler is very darling. I love this color red and while it is shown layered, it could easily switch over to a nice light summer sweater worn alone or with just a tank underneath. The bobbles up the front give it a cute Asian feel. It also has very little finish work, so those who are afraid that you may never finish a project this might be something to consider. The bad news in this cute sweater is that it is for children. The sizes are ages 4-10. Darn. But it is done in a bamboo/cotton blend that looks just scrumptious. SaRi, if by chance you read this, adults want it too!

The Spring Kimono by Janine Le Cras reads beautifully. I think that I was initially put off by this short sleeve pullover because of the color. I am not a minty-seafoam kind of person. I also don’t like the fullness of the sleeves. It looks like this sweater is too big for the model. But I love that it is worked in the round and has a simple to remember lace pattern throughout. My only gripe is that the larges size is a 48” bust, so not quite as large as some of the other sweaters in this issue. It also has no ease recommendation, although it does say it has “a lot of give.” I’d be curious how large this would accommodate. Again, this issue is really thinking that transitional month of spring with a 50/50 cotton/bamboo blend. The bamboo would make this a very drapy and soft wear. If you aren't too busty or you shorten the V neck a bit on this you could easily wear this alone. I also think this would be darling worn with a lacy camisole underneath.

Keeping the chill off gave us a wrap, a cowl and two pair of socks. You know where I am heading with this I’m sure.

Seaside Serenade by Janine Le Cras is a gorgeous stole I love the lace patterns chosen and especially like the little cottage lace on the ends. While it is supposed to be parasols they remind me more of the rows of houses along the beach. I really don’t think this would be that difficult of a lace project and the pattern seems memorizable enough that one wouldn’t need to continuously be checking the pattern after a few repeats.

The Printemps Cowl by Cassie Miller is really cute and while requiring less than 150 yards of sport weight yarn it could easily be done with a single skein of Lorna’s Laces Sport or even a more luxurious yarn. The sample is done in Berger du Nord Belle which is 100% silk, but this would be darling in cashmere as well and at 150 yards! Very affordable. Oh and it is also done with a moebius cast on. What? Another cast on to learn? Hardly. Remember when you cast on socks (or anything else in the round) and it says, “be sure not to twist when joining”? Well, when knitting a moebius project you intentionally put a single twist into your yarn. The challenge is not untwisting it and forcing an “untwist” like you do when knitting that first round of socks and you accidentally find a twist and “force” it untwisted.

Time for some SOCKS! The Andromeda by Polly Outhwaite is a really darling sock. I like the chain lace and the picot cuff and beads. It is simply darling and I like how Polly has created a pattern that is flexible depending on your knitting style. Whether you use DPN’s, magic loop or do 2aat (two at a time) like I do this pattern is easily adaptable. This isn’t so with some socks (like my current project that I had to take to DPN’s to do the heels and then put back onto my 2aat circ!) I also love this semi-solid handpainted yarn. Very nice choide of this pattern!

The Bifrost socks by Kristel Nyberg are absolutely wonderful. When I saw them in the preview I thought they were too “Jaywalkery” looking, but after seeing the actual pictures and the pattern I realize how un-Jaywalkery they really are. (Yes; Jaywalkery is a word despite the fact that spell check says it isn’t. I used it, therefore it is a word.) These are done in Noro Kureyon (did you know that Kureyon is crayon in Japanese and my daughter reprimands me everytime I call it “KYURE-ee-on” as it is supposed to be pronounce “cu-RAY-on” I’m trying to be more attentive to that.) While Noro isn’t my favorite yarn (although it does bloom nicely after washing), I might consider these using one of the wonderful Knit One Crochet Too Ty-Dy Sock yarns. It has the same bold stripes like the Noro and is a delight to work with (unlike Noro). Oh and I have to say I just love the elven zig-zaggy tops!

Color Play was also quite delightful. Bome by Maria Leigh is beautiful, but I wouldn’t recommend for the busty. With the low cut square yolk it would just be too much of a shelf than anything else. It is colorful and delightful, though and I love how the word Bome is written throughout in Korean. Unless you read Korean (which I don’t) you would only think it a beautiful pattern. Or at least I hope it says Bome. I’d hate to go around with something that should says Spring on my shirt only to find out that it really reads something sadly profane. I like the little flare at the waist and on a skinnier person this would be truly darling. On me it would only accent the fact that I have too small a waist for my big ole hips.

Rainbow Chain by Erika Flory is really pretty. It would be a lovely lap blanket or baby blanket at 28” square. Done in Peaches & Crème in a multitude of colors. It could also be a stash buster for all those remnants of dishcloth cottons you have amassed. You know. The ones where you don’t have enough for another dishcloth, but too much to throw away (I mean what would your mother say?)

Carol J. Sulcoski (I told you to watch for this name) gave us two gorgeous pair of socks to round up this issue. The first Sunrise Chevron is very pretty and is a great sock for broad stripes. She uses her own sock flats that you can get from her website. The pattern appears to be very adaptable for DPN’s, magic loop or 2aat. It is also a simply remembered lace pattern and using 2.75 or 3 mm needles would be a quick knit as well.

Second is Scottsdale which is a fair isle using hand painted yarns. Ooooo scrumptious. I love color and also orange. And blue. And orange and blue together. These are fun and will definitely find their way into my faves and queue on Ravelry. Carol must knit tighter than I do as she is again recommending a size 2.75mm needle and most of her yarn I have needed to use a 2.25 needle with. I didn’t know that knitting tighter than me was possible, but maybe so. Or maybe I just really prefer a denser fabric. I don’t know.

I love the section of Fabric Row. And while there wasn’t anything that made me scream in glee that I needed (although the Tricornu pincushion is really darling and may find its way into my Pincushion swap for spring). The two bags, the Tag Along and Cape May are both very lovely and are great stash busters! Actually the more I look at the Cape May the more I like it and it would be a good way to get rid of some quilting remnants as well. All three patterns are by Jody Pirrello.

All in all it was a well put together issue. My eyes are delighted with all the color and texture and also the versatility. I don’t think that there is a pattern that would be too daunting by someone with the basic skills well under her belt, but not too boring for the seasoned knitter to tire of too quickly. Also, if you've never taken the time, be sure to look at the extra pictures for the patterns. They really help you see the stitches and special touches to this great collection of knit patterns!

Monday, February 23, 2009

When the F word is appropriate

Today is one of those days when I really want to say the F word really really loud. OK, I did, but I'm not going to write it. You see, I had this beautifully constructed post that included a goal, two book reviews and a challenge. It was wonderful and witty and well-written. (At least I like to think it was.) And then through a very fast quick mistake with my fingers (something involving a mistaken CTRL A instead of a Shift A) it all disappeared. And apparently there is no recovering it despite all the things I tried. Blogger is not Word. You can't go back to the last saved option. (sigh) So I will try (poorly) to reconstruct my thoughts.

Thought the first: My Goal: I had a conversation with a friend about our goals. Or "what I wish I could do if I wasn't afraid to fail." I said I would like to be a published writer, writing fiction and about knitting and design sock patterns. So she asked why I didn't and I said because I wasn't Stephanie Pearl-McPhee and she said I couldn't possibly be SP-M because A) I'm not Canadian B) I don't live where it is cold and C) I don't use a hyphen in my name. So my goal (and let's see if I actually do it) is to blog more often, design and submit patterns to start with at places like Knitty and Knotions and actually send some of my novels to agents and editors.

Thought the second: My current project: is the Nancy Bush Copper Penny Socks from book Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarn by Carol Sulcoski. I am not crazy for the yarn I chose for these socks, but I am persevering. Partly because I refuse to give up and partly because my LYS owner is interested in my opinion of this yarn. The stitch definition of this yarn is very poor. It is also quite splitty and if you have to take anything out the yarn unplies very easily. Oh and I'm using Jojoland Melody Superwash. I love the colors, but the yarn is just lacking something. I will be interested in how this yarn washes up and how much it blooms. (This is where the first book review starts.) I love the pattern though. But then I love Nancy Bush. I already own two books by her (Vintage Socks and Folk Socks) and since she is admired by other designers that I admire (like Stephanie van der Linden) that makes me like her even more. This book is absolutely amazing and some of the most talented minds are here. I am especially enamoured with Kristi Schueler's two socks in this book: Longbourn Socks and Spread Spectrum. There are some really unique and creative approaches to socks in this book.

Thought the third: The real book review: I was so anxious for the book Socks a la Carte by the SWTC (South West Trading Company) Design Team. Then I got a copy of it. I wanted to cry. I loved the theory of this book. Take Cuff A put it on Leg/Foot B and add in a Heel C to create a truly unique pair of socks. Unfortunately, the execution of this book did not live up to the promise of the theory. I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that the book used the exact same yarn in the exact same color throughout the book and either the yarn chosen really didn't define the stitches well or the photography or printing of the book didn't show the socks very well. It looked like the same sock over and over and only if you took your glasses of (OK, maybe I just take my glasses off) and really look could you see that one sock was different from the next. I was also perplexed why there were commonly known heels that were given different names from the "industry standard" names that I have come to know them by. Now according to my LYS owner, who talked to someone on the design team, the publisher was the one who was insisting that the yarn be all the same. I'm curious as to what will come out of this book. Perhaps if I see some Ravelers who have made socks using this book I might reconsider it or if I get bored I might take another gander at getting this book. I was just saddened to see such a great idea so poorly executed.

Thought the Third: A Challenge: This thought came to me when I was in the shower. I knit socks. I love knitting socks. I have the skills and ability to knit other things in my life, but I tend to fall too easily for socks. This past weekend the girls and I went out thrift store hunting. I came home with a striped skirt in lots of nuetral colors. They matched the outrageousely fun high top tennis shoes I found that are also in neutral colors and have embroidery all over them in copper threads and in greens, oranges and browns. The edges of the shoes and the tongue are ravelly. The skirt and shoes match nicely. I then got this Great Idea that I would knit a tank to go with it. But I will say nicely to myself that tanks just aren't the best garment for me. (sigh). So I have this very lovely Berroco Cotton Twist in Mum (an orange color) Ravelry Link I have 8 skeins, but I know that the other LYS in town has this same yarn and dyelot so I can get at least 4 more if I need to. My thought was that I want to make a pretty short or 3/4 sleeve cardigan to wear over an olive shell that I already have (and will go with this whole ensemble quite nicely). It doesn't need buttons and it can be a little flowy if it wants to be. Coldwater Creek had the exact spring sweater I was wanting last year, but since the majority of Coldwater Creek clothing comes from Chinese sweatshops, I don't purchase from there. So if anyone has an idea for a nice light spring sweater that can (or cannot) have some lace that would go well with a skirt and high top tennis shoes please comment and let me know. Or send me a PM on Ravelry (Rav name: knitncook)

OK, so that is the post sort of put back together. In short I want to do more writing and believe more in my ability to do so, I reviewed two books and I need a cute springy sweater for my Berroco Cotton Twist orange yarn. Oh and hopefully tomorrow I will be able to review the new Knotions magazine which is scheduled to be released sometime today.