Tag: smc select

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

Let The Yarn Speak

It’s no secret that I’m more about letting yarn do what it’s supposed to do.  What do I mean?  Mohair added to any fiber, man-made or naturalSampler of Textures #5 creates a beautiful subtle halo of color and softness, but combining novelty yarns together “knit as one” or with a natural fiber does not interest me.   Yarns have their own fiber content, color and texture waiting to be transformed.  Knit as individuals, different gauges and fiber content used in the same project creates a juxtaposition of weight and appearance which produces an interesting sculptural quality.  In my personal opinion, combining yarns “knit as one” does not allow the individual yarn to speak for itself.  Knit and crochet stitches translate for the yarn a language for all to see.

A sampler of textures expressed in the following images were knitted using Alchemy Yarns, and Habu (top left)  and Habu and SMC Select (bottom two images).  Using a size 10 US (6mm) needle, the stitches in the pieces were stockinette stitch, garter stitch, K1, P1 rib, K2, P1 rib, (RS) K1, P1 and purl back on the WS, seed stitch and Polperro Laughing Boy stitch.  Kits for the scarf pictured below are available from lena@veryknitshop.com.

Sampler of TexturesSampler of Textures #2

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

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