Mr. Postman brought me a dream...

...and not the cutest boy that I've ever seen!

(Which would be impossible, I hasten to say, given that the cutest boy I've ever seen already lives with me...



... er, well, he doesn't look like that anymore. But still a cutie!

Daniel Craig, if you are reading this, worry not - because you are still the cutest man I've ever seen.

Having said that... I do have my very own James Bond at home:


Running and smoking! Sexy!!!

Phew.... where was I again? Oh yeah.

Instead, this is what the postman brought me today!


Fancy, sparkly beads for knitting!


I don't know when I will ever get around to using them all... but stay tuned!

For now, I'm happy working on coworker/friend W's Vegan Tuscany:


This is the progress so far. The yarn is Rosarios Bio Bamboo from Portugal. Isn't it fabulous?

Now, I would have said that, although these colours are perfect for W (and after all, they should be - she picked them!!) they would not be my ordinary choice. In fact, I did make this very statement earlier to JJ. His response? He gestured to my Fiesta Chair:
... raised his eyebrows and said nothing at all.

He had a point.

Anyway, so that's my amusement at present. Tonight, I look forward to the Patrick Week outing with the Tenant Advocates. (That's this week's excuse, anyway). This is a special meeting of the Toronto Tenant Duty Counsel, who are scattered throughout the city. Location undisclosed - I'd love to invite you all, but don't want a rush of clients showing up and saying "Just one question..."!

In parting, for a pre-long-weekend chuckle, I wanted to share some signage that Susie sent me all the way from the land of OZ! (where it is probably 30 degrees C and sunny right now. Grr.) Apparently they are Canadian so she thought I would like them. And I did.


This one is definetely Canadian... let's check the next one:
Hmm. Probably American, but also Canadian in its beer drinker sentiment. So - 50 out 100 for now in CanCon*, Susie!

* We have these Canadian content (or CanCon) rules up here for broadcasting. Basically, 30 per cent or so of everything that is broadcasted here has to fall within some esoteric "Canadian content" rules. This is apparently to avoid becoming overly Americanised - how does the rest of the world handle this, anyway? (apologies to Murcan friends reading this!). Anyway, the end result is lots of cheesy Canadian produced murder mysteries and subtitled Quebec films usually aired in the middle of the night - not to mention that channels like BBC Canada now display cheesy Canadian DIY shows in addition to cheesy DIY British shows.

This sure adds to my sense of Canadian identity, I can tell you! I wish they would just send us a voucher for a free Tim Horton's coffee and doughnut or five once a week, frankly.

Where was I? Oh yes.

Hmm. Most likely American. We don't allow guns up here, except illegal ones. So, 50 out of 75 for CanCon, Susie...

And finally...
Well, definetely American unless there is some outpost up here called "Galveston-Houston" that I don't know about (and Susie, FYI, this sign would be located somewhere within the home state of George W. Bush). However, I can't complain about the sign - it should be Canadian.

So, end score for CanCon - 65 per cent. And, to be fair to Susie, the Email she sent had originally been headed "signs from Canada" - and, she's a long way from here. But there's time to learn...

Happy Thursday!

Secrets No Lies: 3rd clue complete!

Quack is rejoicing! Why?

I finished Clue 3 of my Secret of the Stole II today! (Daisy is continuing the party inside. It's bloody cold!)

I decided to add some beads starting at Row 151.


I'm somewhat regretting this decision, or rather regretting having bought cheapo local beads that I can't use my smallest crochet hook to put on. So, I've had to string all the beads onto the yarn.

However, I think the beads add a bit to the stole... what say you?

This represents, by the way, 430 metres (470 yards, or one full 50g hank) of Malabrigo laceweight. I wonder how many metres were actually frogged? I'm glad I'm not quite nerdy enough to keep that total - it would just be too depressing.


I guess it was worth all the frogging after all. And guess what? I didn't make the Friday midnight deadline for the KAL... and (drumroll please) the world did not come crashing to an end! Hmm. I guess I'm just not as important as I had thought...

So, I'm all set up (touch wood) to start Clue 4, perhaps this evening. In the meantime, I started another project yesterday: the Bespoke Jacket by Libby Baker (I don't have a photo of it...).


I'm using Knitpicks CotLin, doubled, for this jacket. I do like the look of the linen stitch so far. The original jacket called for just one colour (of Cotolino) so of course I'm going with five.

I'm actually thinking of trying to go for a Hudson Bay Company Blanket effect, just for a laugh. (Any Canadians reading this blog will no doubt be familiar with the Hudson Bay Blankets and coats). Picture this:



.. with bright (and some neon) stripes!

Or, maybe I could just steal my mother's HBC blanket (heh!) and make myself this coat.

Great - just what I need, another project. I'd best hold off on that until I finish this...



Off for a lovely brunch with the ladies now. Happy Sunday!

Valley of the Beads - a Brouhaha design!

You might well wonder who this class act is who dropped by my apartment yesterday (given that there aren't too many class acts who make it to one's place when one is living on the wrong side of the ravine...

Is it one of those English princesses who go around with the crazy wide hats, dressed down for the Canadian winter? Or Grace Kelly or Greta Garbo, paying a visit from the afterlife?

Nope.

Just little ol' me, wearing my newest design - a fancy new cotton/silk blend top!

(This is a photo of JJs breakfast, which he flung off the balcony in disgust after I kept whining at him, "Do I look fat in this top?!?!?! I know you say I don't, but DO I?!?":

And no, he didn't manage to toss it all that far. A squirrel came along, took it and stashed it there. Now at least I know where to look if any yarn has gone missing mysteriously... ! And 12 hours later, the food still sits there...)

The top was constructed with a Moebius tube for the top/bust part, courtesy of the fabulous Cat Bordhi's Moebius knitting technique. It was a bit of an experiment and halfway through I was ripping out the little hair that I have left - but all's well that ends well, I think.


Here is a close-up of the Moebius fold and how it works with this top, which I call the Valley of the Beads because of the crevices created by the magical Moebius:

Having said that, taking a look at Aphrodite's bustline, I'm inclined to rename it "Valley of the Silicone". I mean, check it out - she's gone from an A cup to a D cup overnight, apparently!

Her breasts are now bigger than mine!!! It's quite the site to behold, actually - even some of the local wildlife apparently came by to have a look:

(Damned pigeons... they probably just wanted to steal the beads! And do I spy with my little eye the footprint of Glasgow's answer to the Loch Ness Monster?

Eek!!!! ... but I digress...)

So how did a dressmaker's doll manage to get a boob job? Well, I must confess that it's all my fault. She came to me the other day whining that she was sick of wearing a training bra. I tried to give her the little "make the best of what you've got" speech but she wouldn't listen and just started snivelling about how the other kids were better endowed than her.

Well, she had a good point there. So I signed the consent form that she shoved right at me, and I guess the dirty deed was done on Saturday when I was running around like a jackass crafting. I think I'm just jealous because hers are firmer than mine now. Ah, foolish youth!

Anyway, isn't the top sparkly and lovely? I'll give you some specs below, and there's also the "Making of... the Moebius-bosomed top" Tutorial.

(Please note that it is not a "pattern" as such as in order to learn how to do the mosaic cast-on you will need one of Cat Bordhi's magical knitting books - highly recommended, by the way!)


Specs:

• yarn: Svale of Danegarn (DK weight cotton/viscose/silk blend)
  
• needle size: 4.00mm (47" addi turbo and 24" Clover bamboo)
• beads: 6/0 size gunmetal and olive coloured beads by Earthfaire.
  
• start date: 31 January 2008
• finish date: 2 February 2008
• size: 32" circumference for 34" bust (mine, not Aphrodite's)
  

Notes

• I'm so happy that the Moebius concept worked out for this top! I foresee many more... I wasn't quite sure it would work out.

• I knitted the Moebius first and bound it off, then picked up stitches around one side of it and knitted the bottom down in the round (see my tutorial for more info).
  

• I was originally planning a stockinette bottom part. However, I still had quite a few beads left so decided to adapt Sivia Harding's lovely River Rock pattern, using a larger rib and somewhat different rocks. Thanks, Sivia!
  

• I didn't quite know what to do about straps and mulled over several ideas (which I ramble about in the tutorial).> I finally just decided on a 12 stitch 4x4 rib with one rock in each strap:

Anyway, I'm quite happy with how it turned out. If anyone is interested in the concept and wants guidance beyond my various rambles, please feel free to Email me directly.

(NB. there is a tutorial of sorts, really more of a ramble, on how to design something similar for yourself - click here if interested.)

Cheers,

Kristina

Shazam! a free pattern

Please note: this pattern tutorial is also available at my new blog, Bespoke By Brouhaha! as well as some other FREE patterns and tutorials. Why not come on over and say hi?

This is something that's been haunting me since the summertime, so it's about time I got it done!

I submitted the pattern a couple of places but no-one bit (likely because the beauty has more to do with the Handmaiden Silken - colourway Sangria here, by the way - ole!!! - yarn than the pattern!). So, I've decided that it should be my little midwinter blues-buster gift to myself and anyone else out there who cares to knit it.

The pattern is heavily inspired by Sivia Harding, who created the wonderful River Rock Scarf (that pattern is found in the No Sheep for You book). The zigzag pattern is modified from one published in a "Lace Primer" article by Eunny Jang in the Interweave Knits Summer 2006 issue.


I ordered the beads from Earthfaire and I strongly suggest that you do the same if you're going to attempt this pattern. The beads that Ellen provides are without compare (at least, in Toronto).

The colours used here are gunmetal and olive gold-lined.

I'm reminded a bit of Bart Simpson's head when I look at this photo!

So, what's next? A crown, perhaps?! Hmm...

The scarf as I made it took a bit less than one skein (100g/250m) of Handmaiden Silken and 750 beads. Dimensions are 40" long by 5 1/2" wide.

Well, I'll stop blatting on now, aside from to wish you all a happy (#$@&($*&@(#$*????) Monday - and to write out the pattern!

Shazam!

A knitting pattern by Kristina "Brouhaha" Brousalis, 2008.

Please feel free to print out for your own use and to share with other knitters or link from your own blog. However, kindly do not repost in full without crediting me. All rights reserved.

Supplies:

• Yarn: 250 -400 metres of DK weight silk or silk blend. The yarn used here is Silken by Handmaiden). I used a bit less than one skein (100 g or 250 m).
  
• Needles: 4.0 mm straight or circular, your choice (I used circular). US size - either 5 or 6 - I'd likely go with the larger ones first.
  
• Beads: 1250 beads in 6/0 weight. I used beads by Earthfaire in two colours - 750 in gunmetal and 500 in olive gold-lined. I imagine that you could get away with half the amount of beads if you really want to - but I like the full line.
• Notions: bead threader or dental floss threader (for threading beads), tapestry needle (for weaving in ends).

Tension:

(approximate only)

20 sts and 22 rows = 10 cm (4")
one full pattern rep (20 rows) = approx. 15cm (6") wide by 10.5 cm (4.25") high

(But don't get stressed if you don't get this tension! Given that this is lace, much will depend on what type of lace fabric you prefer, of course.)

Instructions:

1. Thread the beads directly on to the yarn before you begin knitting.

• Use either a beading needle (available at bead shops) or a dental floss threader (available in quantity at most pharmacies). I used the latter.

• There is an excellent tutorial on how to do this by Sivia Harding in the Knitty Spring 2006 issue.

• My further suggestion: to save yourself hassles while knitting and minimise having to push the beads down, when you have approx. 40 or 50 beads in a group, push them down several metres and keep doing so, keeping several metres' distance between each group of beads.

• I don't think the crochet hook method of placing beads will work well with this pattern - but please do correct me if you find out that I'm wrong! (I know you'll be shocked at that notion, but it's been known to happen!)

• Of course, you can always skip the beads. However, I quite like them.
  

2. Begin knitting!

legend:

K = knit
P = purl
pb = place bead
yo = yarn over
k2tog = knit two stitches together
ssk = slip slip knit (slip the next stitch, then the following, then knit the two slipped stitches together)

Cast on 30 stitches loosely (I used the cable cast-on method).

The pattern is repeated over 20 rows - the entire scarf as I knitted it is 250 rows long, with a half repetition at the end of the scarf.

Knit the pattern:
Rows 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9: P1, PB, *P1, ssk, K2, yo, K1, P1, pb* then repeat the part between the asterisks three times, then last stitch P1.

All even rows (2 through 20): K1, *pb, K1, P5, K1*, repeat the part between the asterisks three times, then last stitch K1

Rows 11, 13, 15, 17, and 19: P1, PB, *P1, K1, yo, K2, K2tog, P1, pb* then repeat the part between the asterisks three times, then last stitch P1.

** I'm sure this would look quite lovely as well if you skipped the beads on the even rows, which would make your knitting life easier.... for my part, I'm quite happy with the even line, but whatever works for you!**

The pattern, when knitted, zigzags naturally like this:


Repeat Rows 1 through 20 a total of 12 times, then repeat rows one through 10 once = 250 rows.

Bind off LOOSELY (if you knit tightly, or you're just beginning, it might help to bind off with a needle one or two sizes larger than what you used to knit the scarf).

AUGHGHGHGGH! How do I place beads, you ask?

Simple. The beads belong between the stitch preceding the "pb" notation and the one following. Just push one bead as closely as you can to the base of your working yarn, then knit or purl the following stitch as directed. Don't worry if the bead appears loose - everything will fall into place eventually.

Blocking:
I use spray blocking for this type of piece. Grab a towel and place on a blocking board (or, if you're like me, the floor on top of a towel). Spray the scarf generously with water from a spray bottle, then flatten out and ensure that all of your little peaks are looking perky and that your beads fall into line. Spray some more and then leave to dry.

It won't probably be the end of the world if you want to do a wet blocking by soaking with water with a bit of mild detergent, shampoo or Eucalan instead. However, I don't vouch for that as I haven't tried it... I would just say be gentle as silk can stretch dramatically.

Enjoy!!!!

Please note: this pattern tutorial is also available at my new blog, Bespoke By Brouhaha! as well as some other FREE patterns and tutorials. Why not come on over and say hi?

River Rock scarf - done!

I do believe that this is the most beautiful thing I've ever knit. I may have to figure out how to attach an idiot string so that I don't lose it! Don't know if the photos do it justice, but here's a stab at it:

1. Aphrodite and her new scarf!


2. Detail: Peridot Colourway



3. Detail: Pewter Colourway

4. Where the colourways meet

5. The whole scarf again!


Specs

Pattern: River Rock Scarf by Sivia Harding (No Sheep For You)
Started: 23 September 2007
Finished: 29 September 2007
Made for: Moi (who else, really?!?)
Yarn: Handmaiden Silken - 1 skein Peridot and 1 skein Pewter
Needles: 4.0 mm Addi Turbo Lace
Beads: Dark Gold 6/0 by Earthfaire
Length: 55"

Notes:
- I started this project in part as my challenge for the Do Something New KAL. This month's challenge = knitting with beads
- in this regard, I picked a doozy. There is something like 1530 beads in this scarf!
- Do not knit this scarf if you don't want to end up with a habit for Silken that will bankrupt you!!
- the scarf was a relatively quick knit, aside from working with the beads, which were strung at the beginning and had to be pushed down all the way through. I got accustomed to this eventually but it is a bit of a hassle up front. Worth the bother though, don't you think?

Modifications

I went with the pattern as written (nothing wrong with it! ) except for the following:
- I used 4.0mm needles instead of the 4.5mm needles called for, because I liked the tension I got with the smaller needles better
- the pattern calls for 2 skeins of the same colourway of Silken. I had initially wanted to go with the Pewter only, but couldn't locate 2 skeins of Pewter - so I bought the Peridot as well. Initially I planned to combine them both throughout as the pattern calls for. However, when I started to knit with the Pewter the colours were so lovely that I decided I wanted to show each colourway separately in the scarf. I was partly influence in this by a co-worker/friend saying that the yarns reminded her of sunlight falling onto the lake (when she saw my photo of the yarn). So - I combined the two yarns only for 40 rows right in the middle of the scarf... the greyer Pewter is meant to be just before the sunrise, the Peridot just after! ;)

Now, back to my next UFO - the Back To School Vest from Fitted Knits by Stefanie Japel:



I started this last evening. This will be my "entry" in Pieheart's vest KAL on Knittyboard.

The yarn used is Colinette Lasso (polyamide). Love the colours, hate having to wind the skeins by hand, but hey. The vest will be either for me or for my mother depending upon which size it turns out (I didn't do a tension sample). I'm making the second smallest size (35.5", it says in the book) but think it is coming out a bit smaller.

more mosaic stuff

1. Photo Album (wedding gift for friend)



2. Fiesta Chair



3. "Four Seasons" wall hanging



4. Greek Island wall hanging



5. Number plate for house door