lace and beads and yarn, oh my!

I feel like an Olympian goddess today!!



Why? Because yesterday I got a special delivery at the office:



The Moonshadow Yarn Kit!

The pattern for the gorgeous stole is by Sivia Harding, one of my favourite designers - and she's Canadian!

Ellen at Earthfaire put together the kit with this absolutely gorgeous yarn:

It's called "Leili" and is available from Kelly at The Unique Sheep. It's a superwash merino/mohair blend and oh so soft - and WASHABLE!!! I don't remember the last time I used washable yarn, aside from my beloved Super 10 Butterfly, of course:


But I digress. The kit also comes with these lovely crystal frosted megatama beads!

And - Ellen was kind enough to provide me with a different colourway than that used in the original kit, which, although lovely, was not quite vivid enough for me. This one is called Velvet Turquoise. The co-workers oohed and aahed over this colour yesterday when I passed it around. I actually had to yank it from one person's hands ... !

And, since one can never have enough beads... Ellen also sent me some more.

I can't even remember what all I was going to use these for, to be quite honest. Sigh.
I'm sure I'll sort it out at some point in the near future.

Oh, in other news: because I apparently don't have enough of a life, I've been thinking about starting up another blog. Regular readers will note of late that I have been doing quite a bit of ranting about society's ills as I view them on this blog. However, I'm not quite sure that the crafty/ranty stuff is a comfortable fit, especially as I become increasingly irritated. So - I may start something a bit different up on 1 April, which I thought a fitting date: April Fools Day and all. Stay tuned...

Now I'm off to party with my yarn work.

Man, I'd love me a couple of those hats... wouldn't you?!

Sincerely yours,

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?

village idiocy and other weekend frivolities

Well, here are the fruits of my weekend labours, starting from worst (but since improved) to bad to good to knock on wood!!

1. Village Idiocy

This is the end result of a disastrous attempt of a beret I tried to make this morning - perfectly good pattern by Monahan on Knittyboard. It was supposed to look like this:
Flemish beret and I'm not sure how I managed to make my version look like something that some old rummy troubadour was strolling around with in the 1400s. It is at least 51 sizes too big for me. Made using perfectly good Jo Sharp Desert Cotton. Time spent - 2.5 hours approx.

I'm in the midst of trying some controlled shrinking right now - I have washed it on hot in the machine and it's now in the dryer (not recommended). In the worst case scenario, I now have an idea for my Hallowe'en costume!!

ETA: here is the post-shrinkage result... a lot better.

Now I just look as though I work at Michel Baguette. ;-) I suspect part of the issue is that I just cannot carry off berets with any panache.

It is a very cool pattern (thank, monahan!). Think I'll try it again with a stiffer yarn. Ideas?


2. Another experiment gone, er - so so


This is a pair of felted slippers I made for myself using a pattern out of Knit One, Felt Two. You will see what the original pattern looked like below. I tried slip stitch straight lines on this version realising that this would make the pattern narrower - but I was hardly able to get them on! I have managed to stretch them somewhat - the other problem is that the heel didn't felt for some reason! SIGH. Made with Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride - main colours Limeade and Blue Boy, 8mm needles.
Time spent - 3 hours approx.
3. Moral of the story: be less selfish

The slippers I knitted for JJ, by contrast, have turned out quite well (they're still drying in this photo):

His shoe form fits in them so I'm hoping they will be as cozy as they look! This was the original pattern from Knit One Felt Too - I think they were called "vintage chequerboard slippers". Yarn: Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted, 8 mm needles. Colours are Red Hot Passion and Loden Leaf. Time spent - 3 hours approx.

4. Onset of River Rock Scarf!!

Finally I've managed to start the River Rock Scarf, my September project for the Do Something New KAL. The fancy necklace is actually all the required beads strung onto the two skeins of yarn. Maybe I should just leave it like this!! Will start knitting this evening after finishing a bit of work I brought home. One week to go...!

And - another photo of the very fancy beads!!!

After this is done, it's back to the sadly neglected Intoxicating - 1 1/2 sleeves to go on that, then I'm not sure what quite lies ahead.