Month: June 2013

Missoni

It’s no secret how I feel about the Missoni brand, especially Missoni yarn.  Look what I found at my local yarn shop.

Missoni Yarn 2013Before I began to write this post, I decided to briefly research Missoni yarn, and discovered the recent death of Octtavio Missoni.  http://www.wwd.com/fashion-news/designer-luxury/ottavio-missoni-dead-at-92-6925940?full=true  

Currently, I am knitting a chevron sweater pattern from Erika Knight’s book Glamour Knits.  For the sweater, I am knitting with smc select Violena.  Violena is 50% cotton and 50% mondal.  The back and front are finished.  I’ve started knitting the sleeves and hope to finish soon.

Chevron Sweater 2013

Nature Expressed

Upon waking the other morning, an orange glow filtered through my bedroom blinds.  I decided to investigate and was amazed at the sky outside.

Catching The Sun Rise 2013The diagonals created by  power lines and the palm tree in silhouette, along with the horizonal color of the sunrise displayed a visual narrative defined by the co-mingling  of man-made innovation and nature.

Every Spring, I sow a variety of sunflower seeds and zinnias.  The sunflower represents so many things to me, they remind me of my father and Vincent Van Gogh.  I covet a book given to me by my daughter from the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.  Along with their smiling faces, I grow sunflowers for the future health of our bee population.  The crop this year is exceptional!

Sunflowers 2013My garden is a sanctuary for bees, butterflies and birds.  Tucked away in a corner of my yard, I captured a hummingbird enjoying nectar.

Hummingbird 2013 #3

Yesterday, Sunday, June 23, 2013, I had an opportunity to attend a class, Nature Expressed taught by mixed-media artist, JoAnnA Pierotti. We all gathered at Chateau Grenzer, hosted by Shabby Calavera, Lexi Grenzer http://lexigrenzer.blogspot.com/.  Wood framed canvas, venetian plaster, clear gesso and encaustic wax mixed with fiber, vintage hardware and a recent photograph I captured of a peony applied to a 3″ x 4″ wood framed canvas surrounded by moss and persimmon branches held together with rusty wire and my imagination, creates a beautiful piece of art, which celebrates what I hold near and dear to my heart…nature.

Nature Expressed #5

Chromatic

IMG_1625Designed by Tonia Barry, this  pullover is fun to knit!  Published in Classic Elite Yarns’  booklet Palette, “Chromatic” highlights Liberty Wool from Italy.  Liberty Wool Print is 100% washable wool, 5 sts/inch on Size 7 needles.  Instructions are written for knitting in the round or flat.

I’ve enjoyed taking this project to my weekly knitogether because it does not demand my full attention.  Instead of using the suggested 2 x 2 Rib for the neckband and sleeve cuffs, I’m going to add a crocheted edge.

“Chromatic” is also available for purchase on Ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chromatic

A Form Of Flattery Or A Coincidence?

Tommie by Kristin NicholasArt Deco Cowl I love to multi-task…especially with my knitting. Yes, I have more than one project going at the same time, and I don’t feel the pressure to complete a project before I begin another. Knitting for me is about the process, working with color, and the tactile relationship between my needles and yarn.

Currently, a pattern published in Palette by Classic Elite Yarns called “Chromatic” captures my attention. The body of the piece knit sideways with identical front and back pieces are constructed by picking up from the edge of the body. The pattern calls for “Liberty Wool Print” made in Italy. Working with this pattern reminds me of all the “historic” Classic Elite Patterns in my collection. I refer to these patterns as “historic” because they are tangible…printed on a piece of paper, reminiscent of fashion, and reflect the knitting popularity of the late 1980s and 90s. Actually, Classic Elite Yarns has been around since the 1940s (www.classiceliteyarns.com). Norah Gaughan, Deborah Newton and Kristin Nicholas designed for Classic Elite Yarns and are still actively involved in knitwear design.

“Did I mention Kristin Nicholas?” “Yes, I did.”

I’m awestruck by the far-reaching talents of the blogosphere, a global community at our fingertips. Though, I still believe it’s a “small world,” a sixth degree of separation sort of thing.

“Did I mention Kristin Nicholas?” “Yes, I did.” Check out http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tommie found in Book Three, published in February 2013 (pictured on the right).

Refer to my blog post Chevron Cowl of December 5, 2012 (pictured on the left). Is this a form of flattery or a coincidence? I’ll let you be the judge.

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