Tag: knitting

Sunflowers and Sun Damage

I’ve been spending more time in doors this summer due to the water shortage in California. I was not able to plant my garden of sunflowers, zinnias and marigolds this year.  Though I did manage to plant about a dozen sunflowers for the birds and bees. The sunflowers are contained within a planter in my backyard, so I can look out and enjoy the activity of the bees and the beauty of the sunflowers while I knit.

Sunflower Hedge #3

Actually, the water shortage has forced me to limit my exposure to the sun which has been a good thing.  Recently, I’ve been diagnosed with Basal Cell Carcinoma.   A non-life threatening condition that has been treated with topical chemotherapy. I’ve become hyper-diligent about wearing sunscreen and a hat outside and especially during my daily exercise routine. Of course, the sun damage did not just happen…over time, worshiping the sun slathered in baby oil and scuba diving in Monterey Bay did not help.

Mary Lou #1 001

Yes, I’ve taken all of this in stride, excited about my upcoming trip to Central Europe. I’m looking forward to the architectural history of the region along with local cultural fare.  I hope to discover Czech glass and wonder if I’ll see any yarn. I have a map of Prague from (The New York Times Europe Issue, Sunday, April 20, 2014) and want to shop at Prague Thrift Store, Bohemian Retro and Pour Pour.

Mary Lou #4 001

Recently, while visiting the Very Knit Shop, I captured an image of my latest  two projects on display.

wpid-20140816_143043-1-1.jpg

 

 

Cricket

I’m still limping along with my old computer trying to figure out why I can no longer transfer photos from my digital camera.  The computer does not recognize my camera. Soon, real soon, I will venture into my local Apple store to free myself from the drudgery of using an old computer.

In the meantime, I’ve been weaving using a Cricket http://www.schachtspindle.com/our_products/cricket.php

THE CRICKET LOOM

 

10 inch cricket loom 15 inch cricket loom
10″ weaving width 15″ weaving width

I plan on experimenting with different types of yarns in the warp and pushing plain weave past its boundaries.  I’ve had my first weaving class on Cricket and I’m amazed how easy it is to warp the loom.  My instructor, Sandy, owner of Purlescence Yarns in Sunnyvale, CA https://twitter.com/purlescence suggested I try spinning too.  My first spinning experience was not a very positive one, so I’m a little reluctant to “go down that road again.”

Speaking of “road”, I finally wore out my hiking boots.  Today, I purchased a pair of jogging/hiking shoes.  While trying on the shoes, I mentioned to the salesperson that I’ve been jogging in my hiking books.  He looked a little confused…”Did you say you jog in hiking boots?”  “Yes, I’m motivated, I’ve lost 65 pounds.”

So, if I’m not weaving on Cricket or knitting, I’m out pounding the pavement.

 

 

Yarn, Stitches and Textured Scarf

This evening, I put the finishing touches on instructions for a new class tomorrow at the Very Knit Shop in Los Gatos, CA.  The instructions consist of 334 rows and eleven different yarns knit in K2 P2 rib, stockinette stitch, reverse stockinette stitch and garter stitch. Combining different yarns and textures together with knit and purl stitches creating patterns of knitted fabric, suit my fancy these days.  The first scarf I designed, sold during the holiday season.

Sampler of Textures #2

On display, a second piece of “neck candy” has created quite a buzz.  To meet the demand of our curious knitting public, I’ve scheduled a workshop.  The eleven different yarns used in the Yarn, Stitches and Textured Scarf are various Habu yarns, SMC Select Pertinio and Debbie Bliss Angel.

Stitches and Yarn Textured Scarf #2

Why I Knit, Part II

Today I received a visit from Judy and her granddaughter, Sarah modeling one of my designs.  A couple of months ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Judy’s granddaughter, Sarah from Las Vegas.  Judy wanted Sarah to pick out yarn and a pattern.  Sarah was drawn to my design, “Woven Mesh Cowl” knit using SMC Select’s Pertinio.

Sarah graciously let me take a of picture of her while Judy, the proud grandmother, looked on.

Sarah Kaplan

Why I Knit

How can I describe why I like to knit?  Is it the tactile experience of the yarn running through my fingers, color unfolding on my needles, texture created by stitches or sharing a common interest with others?

I realized why I like to knit.  Today, I watched Kate try on her completed sweater for the first time.  With a sense of pride, she marveled at her silhouette in the mirror and called me her fairy godmother for making her “knitting wish come true.”   Thanks Kate!

Kate

Beads Galore

Last Thursday, I met a wonderful group of women with an eclectic mix of experiences and talents.  I was invited to join the Knitsters for their monthly knitogether and discuss knitting with beads.  The afternoon began with a tasty lunch of salad, freshly baked bread and dessert.IMG_2102

Even though we spent the afternoon knitting with beads, our conversations covered a multitude of subjects.  Planting succulents in hollowed-out squash, a memory study at UCSF, spinning and local community activisim.

Thank you Susanne, Elaine, Karen, Phyllis, Hsiao-in, Rene, Kathryn, Moni and Nancy C. for a wonderful afternoon.

Knitsters 2013 #4Knitsters 2013 #2Knitsters 2013 #6Knitsters 2013 #3Knitsters #7Knitsers #4

Neck Candy Part II

I’ve finished adding a crocheted edge to Neck Candy.  Knitting and crochet are perfect pairs in the world of stitches.  The edge was crocheted using Noro’s Taiyo Sock Yarn.  The ruffling effect added an interesting dimensionality.  The edge frames and supports the knitted stitches which balances the appearance resulting in a finished look.

Shoulder Cozy #2

Yarn But No Pattern

I recently purchased four skeins of Madeline Tosh’s Tosh DK  weight, color Spectrum “just because.”  The hand dyed yarn has the appearance of the irridescence of peacock feathers, and to the touch, the softness associated with a billowy cloud.  I was over-stimulated by the beauty of this yarn and lost all sense of direction…I disregarded one of my knitting promises…”I will not buy yarn without an intended project or pattern.”

I browsed patterns on http://ravelry.com, but my mental picture of what I wanted for this yarn was not there.  The richness of the yarn needed a stitch that would resemble the luxurience of velvet and the texture of brocade.  My next resource was The Harmony Guides Vols. 2 and 3 for the right pattern.

The swatch was knitted with a Size 6 needle in Crowns II pattern found in Vol. 3, page 78.  I invision the bottom half of a jacket knit in the Crowns II pattern and the bodice in Seed Stitch or perhaps a ribbing pattern.  There are slight variations in color due to the uniqueness of hand dying, therefore, each skein is different.  I want to avoid knitting with two skeins at one time, so I’m depending on the stitches to help alleviate the obvious.

Got Yarn No Pattern