decisions, decisions...

Well, I'm in a bit of a stushie this morning, as JJ calls it.

Why? I can't decide which project to start on next. Should it be the Muir

using Kidsilk Night:


or Phoenix Rising with Claudia Handpaints' custom colourway "Sivia's Hot Brick Orange"?

You can appreciate, I'm sure, what a tough choice this is. My first instinct is to go with the Muir, simply because I keep meaning to knit it but never quite get around to it.

But as I look around the house, preparing to go find the Kidsilk Night (the stash, having grown to epic proportions, is now housed in several locations throughout the apartment), I keep seeing brick orange:



Is Carmen Miranda trying to tell me something?!?

And then I spot this other piece of mine:

Hmm. And what's this on the Globe and Mail today on the photo page?




It's rather spooky, actually - seems as though brick orange has evolved into the only colour, taking over the world. Is this a sign?

Hey, where is that little voice coming from telling me to listen up? JJ's at work and I'm alone here, aren't I?


Oh. Quack has just told me that I'm being extremely selfish in even dickering over this decision, given that Phoenix Rising would go so well with his beak.

Well, that settles it - Phoenix Rising it shall be.

But hold on a minute! What about Project Purple, my top-secret design project?!

Sigh. I really must stick to my decision for once, I think. And anyone, all those brick orange must have meant something. Besides, the Phoenix Rising project has beads too!

Er... but so does Project Purple.
And orange beads to boot!

I'm so confused... well, I think I should sign off now and make my final decision.

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?

Tuscany - blocked! - and payday treats

Two things to report today... yee-hah!

1. Tuscany

Done and blocked! The promised action photos are sadly lacking as it was raining and I couldn't take Aphrodite for the forest stroll. However, I just couldn't wait. I LOVE it. ;-)

(a) Full Frontal

(b) Hindsight is 20/20
(c) The devil is in the details
(d) Beads, Beads... good for your heart...
(e) The apparently requisite lace display shot

Specs:

Pattern = Tuscany by Amy R. Singer (No Sheep for You)
Needles = 3.75mm Addi Turbo
Yarn = Handmaiden Silken (2 skeins: one blue, one rainbow)
Date Started = 7 October 2007 (I think)
Date Finished = 14 October 2007
Size = 66" across by 23" deep
Pin = bought at Romni Wools in Toronto


Notes

- I found the lace pattern relatively simple and only had to tink once! :-)
- I did run out of yarn for the full pattern (I had only the two skeins) so the shawl is finished at the 8th row of the 9th pattern repetition (full pattern = 11 reps). However, despite the fact that I used a slightly smaller needle than recommended, the shawl is still close to full size (and big enough for me, I think).
- It is bound off using raspberry sea silk from the stash
- I put beads on each of the side edges, placing one bead on each end every second row.
- Halfway through, I thought I should have gone with one colour. However, now I'm quite happy with the result and like the separate swirls that the colour alternation created :-)
- I will likely make this again in future as a gift for someone.

I cannot believe that I am someone who is now enthusiastic about knitting and wearing shawls, not to mention lace, period...


2. Payday Booty

Today marked the bimonthly yarn spending binge otherwise known as Payday. This time, I completely overdid it to the extent that I am a bit embarrassed. Not embarrassed enough, mind you, to refrain from showing it off!


I told you I overdid it!!!

From the top left hand corner, going clockwise:

(a) two skeins of Handmaiden Silken (red colourway)
(b) 12 skeins of Dale Svale of Norway (on sale! - 50% cotton, 10% silk, 40% viscose and very lovely and soft - colour no. 4019) - designated for the High Neck Pullover in Vogue Knitting Holiday 2007 (project No. 11)
(c) two skeins of Fleece Artist Italian Silk - I think it's in the Rainforest colourway
(d) A Treasury of Knitting Patterns - Barbara Walker

Don't ask how much this set me back.

I almost, almost, almost made it out of the shop (Knitomatic) without buying the Silken after the following internal debate (which I fear was actually not internal but spoken aloud, much, I'm sure, to the amusement of the ever-kind and enabling Leane:

EVIL SELF: (picking it up and examining it, over and over again)

GOOD SELF: You just finished knitting something with Silken! You have another skein of it at home... plus god alone knows how much other Handmaiden stuff... plus...plus...plus...

EVIL SELF: But I don't have any red Silken. I never have had anyway.

GOOD SELF: You're buying 12 skeins of the other yarn in lovely poppy red!!!

EVIL SELF: But it's not Silken.

More of this ensued, and Evil Self finally reliquinshed the Silken and put it back in the basket where it belonged. Good Self paid for the other stuff with the cash she had set aside and which was supposed to be the maximum spent on this visit. Good Self took the bag and started to walk out of the shop...

...then...

Evil Self turned back, grabbed the Silken and said to Leane "Well, I'm just going to come back for it later in the week anyway, so I might as well just get it now." And out came the debit card.

Moral of the Story: Go not ye to yon LYS on payday. (second cousin to that ever-important rule "Shop not ye for groceries on an emptye stomache". (Which rule, by the way, both JJ and I broke on Saturday... so I don't feel so bad.

And, really, if I did feel bad, all I have to do is go and stroke this for awhile:



Wishing you all a wonderful week! (and thanks for putting up with the longwinded blather if you've made it this far)

Kristina

why I no longer hate blocking...

I guess it took taking up lace knitting to see the virtues of blocking! (must be getting older though - my knees are now killing me from kneeling on the floor).

Have finished knitting the Tuscany - and was sorely tempted to wear it out this evening since it looked so pretty:


However, it was a tad lumpy looking. So, I gritted my teeth, got out some towels and the measuring tape, put on Dr. House reruns (why am I so addicted to this show? I guess I like thinking that someday I can take the liberty of being as outright rude as he is!) and pinned it out:


The bonus is that finally I managed to reproduce the real colours in these photos!

Will have to get some action photos taken when finally it dries and I get to wear it. (And I can't believe I'm saying this, but here's a good reason for liking the winter weather - now that the heat is on and the apartment is less humid, it shouldn't take too long to block!)

The FO is approx. 66'" wide at the widest point x 22" deep at the deepest. I had to finish it 24 rows short when I ran out of the Handmaiden (the bindoff was done with some leftover sea silk in the stash).

And now on to the next project - I will be swatching the Oriel blouse from IK Summer 07 before I go out tonight (to a restaurant called The Big Ragu. Have not yet been there but I'm advised it has Nutella cake on the menu so it can't be all bad!).

I'm also going to cast on for another (mystery) project to use as my travel project when hitting the road for work this week Tuesday. It will be the first time I use Hempathy:



In other news... er, nothing. Unless you want to know what is going on in Law and Order Criminal Intent from two seasons ago! Such a rich and exciting life I lead...

Which Tarot card are you?

You are The Star

Hope, expectation, Bright promises.

The Star is one of the great cards of faith, dreams realised

The Star is a card that looks to the future. It does not predict any immediate or powerful change, but it does predict hope and healing. This card suggests clarity of vision, spiritual insight. And, most importantly, that unexpected help will be coming, with water to quench your thirst, with a guiding light to the future. They might say you're a dreamer, but you're not the only one.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

I always KNEW I was a star! ;-)

Found this on Chelle's blog. Very cool. I used to love trying to read Tarot - even had a mini pack on my keychain!

Let me know what Tarot card YOU are (if you do the quiz)?

Cheers,

kristina

PS. Can't resist posting another photo of the Tuscany in progress. Am liking working on it although starting to hope for the end. Am on the 8th pattern repeat - 3 1/2 to go! ;-)