Craftistas

Life on the homestead, projects and more...

nobody@vox.com(faerwear) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 10:26:13 -0800

I have been reordering my vocabulary a bit to deal with winter - I used to think everything "died back" in the wintertime, at least my plants, flowers, etc... This used to make me sad, and I'd start feeling that way around fall, which made the impending winter come on with a complete sense of doom.

Now, we call this "dormancy" - I've had the opportunity to collect a lot of seeds and watch many things reseed themselves, and I constantly remind myself that the ground is sleeping, our sheet mulches are creating, and soon, I'll get to watch the joy of seedlings becoming plants that eventually produce foods and flowers all over again.

In the meantime, it's cold outside and I've joined Netflix (find me there as Dori.mondon if you'd like to be friends) and I'm doing a lot of knitting and baking and wondering why and how it is that I haven't already packed on the pounds.

Evie's Dream scarf

On that note, I've written a free pattern for a lace-stitch scarf. You can download it by clicking this link. It's a superquick, chunky knit on size 11 needles.

And, although I can't provide for any Christmas gifts, I'm now offering sets of two and sets of four handknit washcloths of my own pattern designs. These sets are available for purchase in my Etsy shop. And as I mentioned, while I can't provide for the holidays, these do make excellent gifts! I hope to team up with a neighbor who makes the best soap ever and start selling combined kits soon.

Baby bootees for Maya Laura

While I'm all talking about knitting, here's a pair of Saartje's Bootees that I whipped up for a friend - I was at her aunt's house the day before her surprise baby shower, but I had to leave that evening, so I left these behind for her to find. How cute are these things? My mothering thing is only now starting to kick in a bit, and, well, these are, ya know... Cute. and Inspiring. This little pattern is HUGELY popular - and many folks have come up with alternate ways to knit these. Do a google search!

Well, I guess that's really it for now - I have quite a huge bit of knitting to finish for the holidays, as well as a lot of sheet mulching to finish so that I have some good soil in new flower beds for the spring. We intend to rock the farmer's market really early this year, too, and have started our first greenhouse. Pictures next time I'm on the internet. And, you'll get to see pictures of our new dog, too. Our last male dog got really sick and died three months after we adopted him. it was heartbreaking, but we're the kinds of folks who communicate with "the dead" and we asked him to send us a new one - we need a good huntin' dog around our parts to keep the wildlife out of the crops. Sadly, our female, though she can run about twenty-five miles an hour (no joke) is useless when it comes to this. She'd much rather be trying to sleep in our bed. So, all of a sudden, here comes a woman with a half-heeler, half-australian shepherd she has to find a home for. Our home it is. We're looking forward to him moving in sometime in the next couple of weeks.

Have a happy holiday season and really, try not to stress about it too much - it's supposed to be fun, ya know? I'm sure I'm leaving out quite a bit since I'm not here that often, but so it goes. That's how it is when you live in a rural area without the internet at home... I hope that changes soon though, I really do!

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Magazine review: Vogue Knitting Holiday 2009

nobody@vox.com(avanta7) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:10:27 -0800

When IK's winter issue landed it my mailbox a couple days ago, I realized I was behind on magazine reviews. Again. Good thing I don't get paid for this: I'd starve.

VK Holiday 2009

First impression: Wow! That's some red lipstick.

Second impression: Pretty sweater. Not too sure about that bow.

What's New showcases an entire page of cable needles, made from materials as mundane as plastic and exotic as rosewood. I especially like the cable needle as necklace: an abstract silver and brass heart with a tail on a leather thong from Leslie Wind.

News: After reading about Mary Taylor and her plans to knit her way through Nicki Epstein's Knitting On Top Of The World over the next four years, I've been vacillating between (a) thinking she is absolutely insane and (b) wanting to join her or, alternately, start my own similarly insane knitting quest. That Rowan Vintage Knits sitting on my bookshelf might make a good candidate.... And, of course, now that I've taken a look at KOTOTW, it's gone on my list of knit books to buy.

Yarns: Bison and muskox yarns in a variety of weights and blends. The more I read about these fibers, the more I want to buy a skein.

Library features books from several familiar names, such as Nicki Epstein and Debbie Bliss. The most interesting offering is Knitting Art: 150 Works from 18 Contemporary Artists by Karen Searle. Keep in mind, however, "interesting" doesn't mean "I like it." Most of the knitted art pieces I've seen featured in magazines over the last couple of years are simply butt fugly. Still, that chair and the abstract human forms on the cover are intriguing. I wouldn't mind at least paging through the book, although it's not a likely purchase.

Spotlight on Regia Yarns, which celebrates its 60th birthday this year. Did you know the company, founded in post-war Germany, pioneered the production of synthetic blend washable wool yarns? Neither did I. Considering I've heard nothing but accolades about their yarns, one day I must actually use Regia to make a pair of socks.

Meg Swansen writes the second of three columns about family hat designs. This month's featured design is a tri-color watchcap with a "belt" about the brim which can be made in multiple colors and switched out at the wearer's whim. Okay. It's kind of cute. And the huge yarn means it's a superquick knit. I'm beginning to think I'm some sort of knitting heretic, though, because I've yet to see a Zimmermann/Swansen design of any sort that impresses me. But then again, perhaps I don't know enough (read: anything) about Elizabeth Zimmermann's contributions to modern knitting techniques. Perhaps one of her books should be my next knit library purchase.

Speaking of Techniques, Jared Flood continues the "convert that flat knit to a seamless knit" tutorial he began in the VK Fall 2009 issue. In this issue, he discusses yokes and sleeves. Good stuff, with diagrams and everything.

Veronik Avery is the featured designer in KnitLife, discussing design, yarn, family, and launching her own company, St.-Denis.

Hey! Patterns! You can see the previews here, but probably only until the next issue of VK is published.

VK's first story in this issue is "Color Vibes" -- an array of vibrant hues and bold patterns, both traditional and cutting edge.

#1 Empress Jacket: 15 different colors of a fingering-weight yarn, mitered squares, multi-directional knitting, wow! A beautiful long-sleeve kimono-type tunic-length jacket. Construction: multiple mitered squares make up front and back panels which are then sewn to each other and to the sleeves. A project that will consume much time, but the result? This is art that's actually wearable. What a shame it's modeled over a badly-clashing orangy plaid jumper. While I love this piece, and it's wearable, it's not something I would ever wear, nor would anyone else I love enough to invest the kind of time required to knit this. So, let me express my admiration from afar, and not place it in the Ravelry queue.

#2 Slip Stitch/Cable Cardigan: A long-sleeve boatneck multi-color cardigan with a cabled rib on the bottom half, and a slip-stitch Faux Isle pattern from the waist up. With the bulky yarn specified, this should be a fairly quick knit. Its predominately crimson color scheme is just the thing to brighten up a gloomy winter day. Not in the queue, but it's a possibility.

#3 Heart Yoke Cardigan: The most traditional piece in this story, this long-sleeve purple cardi is knit in the round and sports Fair Isle hearts in black and white on its yoke. Traditional fit, raglan sleeves, sport-weight yarn, really really cute. A plus-size pattern. Not in the queue, but it's a possibility.

#4 Dolman Pullover: Your basic dolman-sleeve sweater rescued from the ordinary by its clever use of color. To quote the magazine copy, Kaffe Fassett "reverses his intarsia stripes diagonally"...aw hell, that doesn't tell you anything. Go look at the picture. What's cool about this piece is it uses only two colorways of Rowan's Colorscape, and the yarn does all the color-change work for you. Dolman sleeves do not flatter my figure, however; this particular piece will not go in the Ravelry queue, although I'm storing the stripe reversing idea in the back of my brain. A plus-size pattern.

#5 Fair Isle Cardigan: An all-over stylized-flower pattern in white and blue with brilliant orange on the button band and cuffs. Very pretty. Construction: knit in the round with steeks. Eek. I love this cardi but steeks? *shiver* I conquered my fear of DPNs. I have not conquered my fear of steeks.

#6 Fair Isle Yoke Top: A short sleeve Tee (for winter? really?) in basic black with a traditional Fair Isle yoke pattern in multiple blues and white. Knit in the round. I like this a lot, despite the silly lace sleeved undershirt worn by the model. Stylists. Sheesh. Sometimes I wonder about them. Regardless, it's a possibility, although I expect if I make it I'll lengthen the sleeves.

#7 Fair Isle Hoodie: What is it with designers making short-sleeved winter wear? A fur-trimmed hood on a short-sleeved zipped jacket makes no sense whatsoever. Ahem. Okay. I love the rich brown body with orange, blue, and white Fair Isle detail around the yoke and above the deep ribbing at the bottom edge. I even sort of like the furry hood. I do NOT like the short sleeves. Therefore, if I make this, sleeves will be 3/4 length at a minimum.

#8 V Neck Pullover: A long-sleeved top with a rich cobalt blue upper body and a Navaho-inspired colorwork pattern in turquoise, cream, and gold below the waist. This is flat gorgeous, even if the stylist did put the model in shorts. (For winter. Go figure.) In my Ravelry queue.

For our second story, we are to Think Big. Cowls knit from huge yarn. I pretty much skimmed right past this section. Remember how I'm not a shawl person? I'm not really a cowl person either.

#9 Seed Stitch Cowl: A mitered ribbing yoke and a fold-over seed stitch collar form this shoulder-covering cowl knit in bright neon yellow uber-chunky yarn. This is so big the model can't put her coat on over it.

#10 Ribbed Cowl: Another shoulder-covering oversized turtleneck of a cowl with a garter welt yoke and 2x2 ribbing on the fold-over collar. Must be worn over the coat as well. Which is okay, I guess, but I don't like it.

#11 Eyelet Cowl: The only piece in this bunch I gave a second glance. A gorgeous multi-hued gold yarn in a bulky wool/angora/cashmere blend, knit in big eyelet with an I-cord drawstring, and deliberately constructed so it can be pulled over one's head as a hood (or wimple) or worn as a traditional neck-warmer. The best thing? It isn't soooo huge that it would prevent wearing a coat! So, even though I'm not a cowl person, I'm giving this piece serious consideration.

#12 Cabled Cowl: A giant shapeless pink tube with cables and ribbing. Woo. More covered shoulders, too. I suppose this piece could be co-opted as a hood like #11, but I'm not interested enough to even read the pattern.

The pieces in A Softer Shade of Pale, knit in quiet neutrals or pastels, provide a subdued and elegant counterpoint to the exuberant color we encountered several pages ago.

#13 Cable Tunic: A diagonal cable twisting across the front and along the 3/4 sleeves of this cream-colored knit is highlighted by the reverse stockinette background. The deep asymmetric cabled V-neck adds a subtle finish to the tunic-length pullover. Sophisticated evening wear as shown over a satin skirt, although I imagine it could be dressed down and worn to the office as well. A plus size pattern.

#14 Diamond Capelet: A shawl by any other name would still smell like a shawl. Dolman-shaped, with deep ribbing and an I-cord drawstring in a winter white alpaca. I love the texture of the diamond stitch, though, and may adapt the stitch pattern for use elsewhere.

#15 Bow Neck Pullover: Here's the cover knit with its richly textured cables and eyelets. Knit from the bottom up with first three strands of sport-weight merino, then two, then one, and finished off with a laceweight mohair at the boat-shaped neckline. Full length bell sleeves echo the triangular shape of the body. Very pretty. Again, this is modeled with a satin skirt as if for evening, but I can also see it with dark slacks or a slim skirt for office, and even with slim-legged jeans for weekend wear, especially if the mohair bow is left off and the neck finished with a few rows of ribbing. Not in the queue, but still a possibility.

#16 Nordic Pullover: A 3/4 sleeve top with a square neck, cable and lace yoke, and a knit/purl "snowflake" pattern on the lower body and lower sleeve. (I think they look like poinsettias myself.) As shown in baby blue, it's sweet. I'd rather make this in a deep rich jewel tone. A possibility.

#17 Cable Cardigan: Cables, bobbles, and other textures give an Aran-like feel to this belted tunic cardigan. Knit sideways for the most part using a sportweight merino, this is a piece I'd be tempted to make just to test the technique. Sure, it's pretty, and I really like the stitchwork on the back, but the garter welts and bobbles around the neck will add unnecessary bulk to my top half. That loopy freeform cable on the yoke, though, has really caught my attention. A possibility.

#18 Lace V-Neck Top: Once upon a time, a long time ago, I had a lace V-neck pullover, knit in pure white cotton. I wore that sweater everywhere: over blouses in winter, as a bathing suit coverup in spring and autumn, and sometimes, in certain circumstances, over nothing at all. It was my favorite piece of clothing for many years. One day, after one too many washes, it simply fell apart, and I never found another one like it. Until I turned to page 66 in this issue of VK, and found my sweater again, this time done up with sumptuous Alpaca Silk in a gorgeous silvery oyster color. Horseshoe lace, long sleeves, deeply scooped V-neck. Oh yeah. It's in the queue.

#19 Ruffle Edge Cardigan: Long sleeved fitted cardigan with knit ruffles along the neckline and front opening, and over the shoulder like epaulets. Okay. First thing, let me say I appreciate the creativity here, in both the design itself and in the fact the stylist put the model in a dress with soutache embroidery that mimic the ruffles on the cardi. The curly-Q knitting around the neck and front aren't that bad, and the fact that the piece doesn't fasten in front is easily remedied with a little widening of the front panels and one hook and eye closure at the waist. But seriously, knit ruffles over the shoulders and around the armhole seam? That's just plain silly.

We now go beyond the pale where Plum's The Word. One of my colleagues loooooves purple, and she is plumb tickled (*snerk*) that this shade is this year's "it" color. These designs look great in variations of this royal hue, although they could be made in any color you choose.

#20 Crossover Top: Short sleeved V neck constructed of a yoke and raglan sleeves, with a long band knit separately, then wrapped around and crossed in front. Really cute, and really young.

#21 Cabled Yoke Pullover: Gorgeous cables on this knit-in-the-round mock turtleneck. I like the split neck opening with the oversized buttons. I'm not overly crazy about the reverse stockinette body, but I'm gradually becoming accustomed to the idea of wearing knits that look like they're inside out. A possibility.

#22 Cropped Cardigan: All over cables, long sleeves, and a construction that allows the piece to be worn open with a deep front V, or closed with a boat neck. Intriguing. A possibility.

#23 Wrap Cable Jacket: LOVE! More all over cables, sideways construction, and a wide V-neck in a one-button flyaway cardigan. The recommended yarn is a cashmere/silk blend. I think it would be equally gorgeous in bamboo. In the queue.

Through The Looking Glass is the "what were they thinking?" section of this issue. Not the designs so much, although a couple of them are questionable, but the theme. Alice in Wonderland? Really? I'm a huge Lewis Carroll fan, but come on. What does Alice have to do with knitting? At least they didn't quote Jabberwocky.

#24 Lace Beret: "Too cute" copy doesn't take anything away from the gorgeousness of this cap and its pattern of traveling lace. The recommended yarn is a sport-weight cashmere/merino/silk blend. Not in the queue only because I don't know who I would make this for...this sort of hat doesn't look right on me.

#25 Fingerless Gloves: I finally figured out who wears this type of lace gauntlet. The goths. And maybe the Ren Faire folk. According to the pattern, the gloves are constructed of different sizes of lace medallions, sewn together. I think these gloves might be pretty, but I can't really tell because of the goofy way the stylist posed the model. Drink me, indeed.

#25 Medallion Scarf: The trouble with this piece is: I can't see it. Not very well, anyway, because it's made from a dark blue yarn, and worn by a model who is also wearing a dark blue dress. Looks like we have circles and bobbles and dangly bits. And it's worn as if it's a shawl rather than a scarf.

#27 Vintage Baby Dress: Utterly adorable dress with garter stitch bodice and eyelet skirt, and a velvet ribbon tie. *sigh* I don't know anyone with a baby young enough for this sweet piece.

#28 Lace Socks: LOVE! Can't get enough lace socks, and this is a very pretty, criss-crossy lace down the back, front and instep, combined with an upside-down wishbone lace on either side. In the queue.

#29 Braided Cowl: Skinny knitted tubes braided together. Uh. No. But this piece gave me a chance to take a good look at the model. I think she's 12.

And finally, in Designer Details, we take a look at the cutting edge in knit design.

#30 Fitted Jacket: Another example of the stylist mucking up the featured piece by dressing the model in a clashing and/or too similar print. I think this salt and pepper jacket by Anna Sui may have been inspired by the jackets worn by My Chemical Romance in the video The Black Parade. Unfortunately, the model is dressed in a splashy black and white print dress so it's virtually impossible see any real detail. Too bad. Because I think I like it.

#31 Ribbed Jacket: A short-sleeved jacket from Twinkle with all over 3x3 ribbing knit in super bulky Soft Chunky. Structurally similar to #22 above, with the unfastened deep V front or fastened boatneck. This isn't bad, but I still don't get the fuss over Twinkle.

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Magazine review: Interweave Knits Winter 2009

nobody@vox.com(avanta7) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 08:15:40 -0800

All my knitting and crocheting is taking place behind the scenes recently. I have lots of FOs to show off. I just haven't taken the time to upload the pictures from the camera. Too busy finishing projects and ....gasp.... getting ready to move across country. More on that some other time. In the meanwhile, let's take a look at IK's winter issue.

IK Winter 2009

At first glance, I fell in love with that cover knit, and had high hopes for the rest of the projects within. "Best knits for winter warmth" sounds pretty good to me.

Beginning at the beginning, the first article we come to is the Artist Spotlight on Mark Newport. Unlike many of the textile artists IK has featured in the recent past, I actually kind of get this guy. He's turned his fascination with comic book superheroes into knitted superhero costumes. Click on the link to see what I mean. I never really read many comics outside of Archie when I was a kid, but maybe the fact that I think these are kind of cool is an indication of my inner geek.

This issue's Yarn focus is on camelid products: camel, alpaca, llama, and their cousins. Luscious yarns such as Rowan Lima or Cascade Pastaza cause my fingers to twitch and reach for the credit card. I love how IK introduces me to yarns I would never otherwise encounter. My only quibble with the feature is the lack of pricing information. It would be most helpful to know the retail price of these yarns, and thus be able to budget for what could be a costly purchase.

Vicki Square discusses designing with ethnic motifs in her Thinking Knitter column. Interesting insight to a working designer's process.

Hey! Patterns! In the Fall 2009 issue (which I did not review....laziness and procrastination R us), IK changed its format. Instead of showing all the pretty pictures of the featured knits first, with patterns following at the back of the magazine, IK now prints each gallery or "story" with its patterns in a self-contained section. In other words, several pages of pretty pictures followed by the patterns for those knits, then several more pages of pretty pictures followed by patterns, and so forth. It's not a bad change but it will take some getting used to...I'm accustomed to picking up a magazine and flipping immediately to the back half to find the instructions.

Onward. Our first story: A Stark Contrast, which highlights the positive and negative space in cables, lace, and other knitted textures.

The first knit featured is that cover piece, Nora's Sweater, a gorgeous royal purple tunic-length cardigan with a pleated back beneath its Japanese-inspired sideways-cabled yoke, and an open collarless front with an intricately cabled border. Elegant and easy to dress up or down. Suggested yarn: Misti Alpaca Worsted. Have I queued this yet? *checks* Apparently not. Will remedy that situation forthwith.
The Syrup Pullover, so-called because of its predominant use of a waffle stitch, is a V-neck pullover with long sleeves that puff out at the elbow and draw back in at the long cuff. The pattern copy calls it a "poet cuff." Looks kind of like an upside down Juliet sleeve to me. The bodice is knit in smooth stockinette with that aforementioned waffle stitch giving texture and eye appeal below the bust line to the hem and on the cuffs. Meh. Not to my taste, but it's not ugly. Suggested yarn: Lorna's Laces Green Line Worsted.
The Aquitaine Pullover's wide boatneck and chunky lace at the bodice and on the cuffs of its long sleeves make for a striking and unusual tunic-length pullover. I'm a sucker for boatnecks anyway...so flattering on my figure...and one glance at this piece was enough to qualify it for queue status. A second look reveals that it's SEAMLESS (!) and has a subtly textured vertical stripe from below the yoke to the hem. Love! Suggested yarn: Classic Elite Kumara.
Alma's Scarf is more wrap than scarf, given its generous proportions. Easy eyelet lace and lacy V stitch panels at each end echo the textured panel of knit/purl chevrons that make up the main body of the piece. Very pretty. Suggested yarn: Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend.
As mentioned in the review of VK's Holiday Issue, purple is this year's "in" color. The Alpaca Pleats Jacket is the second piece in this issue made of a purple-hued yarn. This short-sleeved collarless cardigan features vertical pleats around the front and neckline, and a skinny column of eyelet lace tracing the path next to the pleats. Classic tailored styling and a hook & eye closure make this a good choice for the office, but would look equally great paired with jeans and a tee. Suggested yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas Alpaca Silk.

Pattern break, and time for an article. Real Knitter introduces us to another artist, Sharon Kallis of Vancouver (the article doesn't specify whether that's British Columbia or Washington, though) who crochets with natural materials such as morning glory vines and ivy. Oooo-kay. People fascinate me.

Back to the pretty pictures. Next up: All Tangled Up, a story in which (according to the magazine copy) "...cables and texture get playful with innovative constructions and patterns."

The Braided Riding Jacket, a glorious riot of cables and bobbles and waves in a fabulous green tweed yarn, is a must make. Long sleeves and yoke use a wrapped stitch to make a bubbly bumpy simple texture which offsets the highly detailed cables on the main body. Stunning. Recommended yarn: Tahki Tweedy Alpaca.
More tweed, this time by Debbie Bliss, makes up the Floating Spiral Hat, a simple beanie of swirling cables which would make a good companion for the Braided Riding Jacket. Or not. It's your choice. The stitch pattern doesn't scream "GIRL!", so this might make a good cap for a fella. Suggested yarn: Debblie Bliss Donegal Luxury Tweed.
Big yarn in an oversize lace pattern plus satin lining plus beaded handles equal the Art Lace Bag. It's big enough to use as an overnight bag, which may be its best purpose, because I can't imagine being able to find anything in it easily. Even the model is pictured as digging through the purse as if in search of her keys. Suggested yarn: Loop-d-Loop Granite.
More Japanese inspiration results in the Wave and Dimple Kimono, a three-quarter sleeve tunic-length cardigan. The construction is similar in appearance to Nora's Sweater above, except it's done in two pieces rather than six: the yoke and sleeves are knit from wrist to wrist, and the body is knit from hem to yoke. Wide cables give a gentle rolling feel to the finished fabric. Very nice. Suggested yarn: Trendsetter Yarns Merino VIII.
The Dusseldorf Aran is a jewel-neck pullover with long belled sleeves and a doubled diamond cable centered on front and back. I'd like it if it weren't for the belled and pleated sleeves. Of course, sleeves are easy to customize, so this piece is a possibility. Suggested yarn: Zitron Gobi.

Another break for pattern instructions, and a close-up of the cables featured in the previous knits. Instructive. Speaking of instructive, our next article, Beyond the Basics, offers "A Guide To Reversible Cables." Fascinating tutorial on how to knit cables that look good on both sides, including exercises to swatch with.

Back to the patterns for All In One, a story featuring one-piece knits. Yay for seamless!

The Deep Texture Tunic has a foldover buttoned and ribbed turtleneck, raglan sleeves, and an all-over basketweave-ish textured pattern for the body and sleeves. The recommended yarn is Elsebeth Lavold Calm Wool, but I'm guessing this would be exceedingly cozy and light in a pure alpaca.
The name, Shredder Pullover, made me smile and brought to mind those long ago days of sun and surf, when the surfer dudes of my acquaintance couldn't wait to get out on their boards and shred some waves. While this sweater isn't exactly surfer dude apparel, it's still a nifty garment in a 5x2 rib, made reversible by an unusual ribbed cable along one shoulder and down the side. Coincidentally, I used this very same ribbed cable for a pair of fingerless mitts I made a couple of weeks ago. Pictures, eventually. I promise. Oh, before I forget, the suggested yarn for the pullover is Elann.com Peruvian Highland Chunky.
I'm not a fan of cropped cardigans, but the Bells of Ireland cardi is pretty enough and simple enough that it would be worth the lengthening. Short raglan sleeves and a button front are set off by bobbles and traveling stitches reminiscent of the namesake flower. Simple garter stitch finishes off the wide ballet neck, sleeve edges, and hem. In the queue. Suggested yarn: The Fibre Company Road to China Worsted.

After a break for pattern instructions, we consider Weighty Matters, a story of texture and weight and combinations thereof.

Lacy Ribbons, a crewneck pullover knit of a laceweight silk/mohair blend, has semi-solid bands knit with doubled yarn circling the yoke and an all-over lace pattern resembling dotted swiss. As a study in texture, it's appealing. As a wearable useable garment, not so much. At least, not for me. Pretty purple hued yarn though. Suggested yarn: ShibuiKnits Silk Cloud.
The Half-Felted Knapsack is precisely that. The bottom half of the bag is felted while the rest of the bag is not. An I-cord strap secures the opening and makes the bag easy to carry over one's shoulder. As a purse, I think it's too shapeless to be functional, but I can see it as a grocery bag. Suggested yarns: Louet Clyde and Louet Bonnie.
The Fiery Ruche Scarf is knit in brilliant shades of orange and red and uses elastic thread to create the ruching effect. Striking and original. Suggested yarn: Brown Sheep Nature Spun Sport Weight.
When is yarn not yarn? When it's paper! The Paper Lanterns use three different stitches to create open patterned structural pieces to ease over purchased paper lanterns. A neat idea. Wouldn't work in my home, but on the patio or in some modern industrial loft space, they would be perfect. Suggested yarn: Louet Euroflax Sportweight.

A break for pattern instructions and now we are Stranded, with colorwork taking center stage.

The Icelandic Star is a bright red seamless raglan cardigan with a turquoise, gray, and gold Fair Isle treatment around the yoke and hem. I like the reversal of the Fair Isle coloring: bright for the body and more subdued in the colorwork, but still with sufficient contrast to make the colors pop. Suggested yarn: Reynolds Lite-Lopi.
The solid brown cuffs and collar on Miss Michelle's Jacket anchor the deep turquoise and camel colors of the herringbone-ish body. The cardigan is shown without front closure, but I bet a zipper could be inserted easily. I'm not overly fond of the elbow length sleeves. If I made this, I'd either shorten them to above the elbow, or lengthen them to wrist length. Suggested yarn: Harrisville Designs New England Shetland.
The Heritage Cardigan takes Fair Isle colorwork and turns it on its head. Or at least its side. This cream-colored sleeveless vest is knit sideways, beginning at the left front edge and ending at the right front edge. The Fair Isle pattern in varying shades of gray appear as vertical stripes when the vest is worn, one stripe on each front piece and one center stripe down the back. The deep ribbed collar and ribbed armhole edging are picked up and knitted after the fact. A stellar accent piece when worn over long sleeves. I love it. I'm not quite fearless enough to tackle Fair Isle yet, but this piece will certainly go on the queue once I'm ready. Suggested yarn: Rowan Purelife British Sheep Breeds.
The men get a treat with the Aspinwall Pullover, a half-zip, collared, long sleeve sweater with a deep ribbed body beneath a smooth knit yoke, separated by a surprising narrow band of Fair Isle in orange and light gray. Very simple styling, no fuss, no frills, just that pop of color against a deep gray background. Pieces like this make me wish my menfolk wore sweaters....although nothing says this couldn't be made in one of the smaller sizes for a woman. Suggested yarn: The Fibre Company Terra.
The little girls aren't neglected, either. The sweet Hearts and Flowers Cardigan is sure to please that little lady with its all-over Fair Isle pattern of, well, hearts and flowers in bright pink against a white background. Narrow accent stripes in yellow and more tiny flowers in greens and purples keep the pink from being too overwhelming. The long sleeves are plain with a bit of colorwork at the cuffs. The sizing appears to accommodate about ages 2 yrs to 5 yrs. I wish it had been sized up a little more. I know some 7- and 8-year-olds who would love this cardi. Suggested yarn: Cascade Yarns Heritage. (Personal note: I've used Heritage to make socks. This is a great yarn, and has enough nylon in it to make it machine washable: a very handy thing for children's clothing.)

Another break for pattern instructions and then, an article on modern Cowichan sweaters, in which a Canadian knitwear company has taken traditional Cowichan motifs and interpreted them in modern colors rather than the naturally-occurring hues of sheep fleece.

To wind up IK Winter 2009, we are treated to a couple of pages of staff projects: 3 scarves and a hat in varying shades of blue, all of which take advantage of that reversible cables lesson in Beyond the Basics. Cute, except for that Corseted Necklet (Sandi, what were you thinking?), and quick to knit. I especially like the Whispering River Cowl, a generously sized circular scarf...unlike most cowls I've seen which cling a little too closely to the neck for my taste. Instructions for each of these projects, as well as photos of all the featured knits in this issue can be found at Interweave Knits.

So, lots of lovelies in this issue, and only a couple of items that caused head scratching. Ya done good, IK.

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*a little bit of love and WIP

nobody@vox.com(Tea) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:27:52 -0800

Hello everybody,

today was really cold outside. Although just about one week ago it was so warm outside that the flowers started to bloom again, the winter came over us all of a sudden last weekend. Now fields and streets are covered with snow and you can see your breeth while beeing outside.
I used the cold days to finally get back to my own sewing machine. what came out is this little pouch. It is made from a really beautiful antique dark linen fabric with blue stripes. i added some lace and button for the cuteness and even embroidered a little heart on it.
It remembers me of the Shabby Chic or Country style . the inside fabric is a cute polka-dots cotton print fabric from Japan.

heartful

It has been added to the shop as well as the below two projects which i already made a while ago but always missed to update them. Hope you like them!
It´s a set of 3 crochet doilies in beautiful snowflake colours and a set of four coasters for the table.

*doilies

*roses

Last, but not least, two ongoing projects. i made one of these flower pincussions which are always beautiful and you might have recognized the little embroidery piece below. It´s already finished by now but i still have to decide what project i will use it for. Curious now? ^_^

WIP

Love,
*Tea

music: a little MV from Youtoube of one of my favorite romantic movies ever!
enjoy!

love actually - happy ending

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*princess for one day...

nobody@vox.com(Tea) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 11:01:15 -0800

It´s been some time since the last update.
Mr. P and i spent some wonderful days together the last two month and been busy with visiting friends and rediscovering nearbye places.
But i have not been lazy or forgot about my tiny girls ,).
Two new dresses are in the shop:

*petit autumn

*petit princess

I specially like how the crochet piece came out. it´s so tiny and really cute. She looks like a little princess in it.
i plan to make another one for my own girls and also to crochet some for my ACB Florentine. She should look darling in it too! :D

love,
*Tea

No music video today, but instead a link to the trailer for Avatar the Movie - Aufbruch nach Pandora
i can´t wait to see it in theatre!

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TRACE AMOUNTS

nobody@vox.com(CubistLiterature) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 05:44:47 -0800

Nostalgic moments since Andrea G. said she's coming to visit in January:

Andrea and I (as NAZIRECTIONS) playing in Portland at Reed College.

nazirections at REED college

In retrospect, it really was just drunken noise.
Later that same night I remember falling on my face (not because I was drunk) because I jumped from the top of a staircase (because I was drunk) and waking up with a fat lip. I deserved it.

In other news, last night Ben and I were interviewed (videotaped) and photographed by these young local filmmakers wanting to talk to young designers (I think---it all happened so fast). There were all these cameras positioned around me and people looking at me while I worked. It wasn't unpleasant, just unusual.

Anyway, one of the questions they asked me was if I had any advice for someone just starting out (as if I'm not).

Well, first of all, I had all my words together and basically said that you need to have a plan and goals in mind. And that you need to stay focused and keep good records. You need to know where your money is going! OKAY.

And then I finished it off by messing up my words...
Instead of saying "you need to hang in there", I said: "You need to stick it in."
I guess I was trying to say, "You need to stick with it."
I don't know. But it keeps playing over and over in my head.
I'm not really embarrassed. I just keep thinking how dumb I was. Dumb!

In OTHER news, we shoot our look books on Sunday, which is cool.
We're both really (very) busy with getting samples ready for this AND getting holiday orders out. I leave for Texas on December 16th. So, the last day to order anything from Cubist Literature until 2010 is December 13th!

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SELF PORTRAIT THURSDAY!

nobody@vox.com(CubistLiterature) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:54:50 -0800

SELF PORTRAIT THURSDAY!
12.10.09

SELF PORTRAIT THURSDAY! 12.10.09

1. Angora jacket with shoulder pads.
2. Paying others to do my laundry.
3. Waking up alone.
4. Wearing several pairs of thermal underwear, none of them my size.
5. "Creepshow" and "Heavenly Creatures".

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Craftistas

Life on the homestead, projects and more...

Magazine review: Vogue Knitting Holiday 2009

Magazine review: Interweave Knits Winter 2009

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*a little bit of love and WIP

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