splash of fern

 
Pattern: Splash of Blue
Source: villapeikko
Yarn: Cascade Eco+ in colour Fern
Knitting Specs: Splash of Fern

It is quite rare that I make a sweater as a gift if the recipient is not in my immediate family, but my friend J. is special. She has an appreciation for hand-made craftsmanship that I have always admired. And so, on the upcoming occasion of her 30th birthday, I have knit her this sweater (modeled here by my sister).

The choice of yarn for this project was not arbitrary. I had originally bought a blanket's quantity of this wool. After knitting four of what seemed like five gazillion squares, I gave up and threw the four seamed squares in the trash out of frustration. In other words I got bored and had myself a little temper tantrum.

J. was visiting one day and, seeing the squares in the trash, she took them out and saved them. She still has them, just because she thinks they're beautiful. That is someone who deserves a hand-knit sweater. I hope she likes it.

I would like to thank the cables and bobbles on this sweater for seeing me through a difficult university term; my crazed study evenings were better for having knit you.

As always, detailed notes, modifications and pattern comments can be found on Ravelry. My sister, who so graciously models my hand-knits, made such a fuss of delight over this sweater that my knitting heart can't help but knit her one too. Another Splash is in my future!

in case of fire...

I found these RAW files on my hard drive the other day, unprocessed. I vaguely remember thinking that I wanted the mitts to look like the ship's ocean. Or something. It wasn't successful. But I liked the photos when I rediscovered them.

People often have mental lists of what they would grab if their house was on fire. Honestly, I would probably grab this ridiculous ship*. I found it in my Grandma's basement in the back of a drawer. Nobody else loved it, I have no idea where it's from, and it's held together with twine, but I love it. I love its simple lines, I love its weight, and I sort of love that nobody else loved it.

*[My dream of having a house full of dogs has not yet been made true; if I had pets I would grab them. Then the ship.]

Rosi Léttlopi

Pattern: Velvet Morning
Source: Knitty
Yarn: Reynolds Lite Lopi

Knitting Specs: Rosi Léttlopi

When I was a kid (probably around 10-12), my grandmother offered to knit me a sweater. I remember looking through what I now know was probably a Lopi pattern book, and picking out an Icelandic pullover design. We went to the yarn store and while I do not remember the name of the store, I do remember the walls and walls of colours and textures. I often think of that moment, looking up in awe, and I do see it as foreshadowing of a future obsession. I ended up picking out some white, oatmeal, and gray and Grandma went to work. I still have that sweater and will forever and always. But the knitting styles of the day did not really involve a lot of fit and shaping, and so the sweater has always been absolutely massive on me and largely unworn. Truly, it would fit a linebacker. I think that ever since I began knitting myself, around three years ago now, a dream in the back of my head was to knit another lopi colourwork sweater for myself but with a more modern fit.


I have come to the realization that I don't really wear pullovers, and so I turned to the cardigan. When this pattern, Velvet Morning, showed up in Knitty last fall, I knew I would be making it. I had the gray lopi yarn already and a gift certificate from my darling brother allowed me to purchase the remaining colours. I have surprised myself with going rosy! I am generally much more drawn to greens and golds and bright reds. But I am very pleased.


Sadly, I am built like a furnace. Which means this cardigan probably won't see a lot of indoor wear. But, I plan on using it more as a jacket, and for that it will be excellent. I have nothing but good things to say about the pattern, and I can see myself using it in the future as a bit of a blank canvas for other colourwork patterns and experiments.


Interestingly, having conquered what I once thought was impossible (colourwork! seaming!) I find myself a bit aimless. If school left me with any residual brainpower I would be tempted to try some Estonian lace, or, dare I say...a Bohus. The Wild Apple combination makes my heart sing. Ah, I can dream...

semele: a gift

Take your needle, my child, and work at your pattern; it will come out a rose by and by. Life is like that—one stitch at a time taken patiently and the pattern will come out all right like the embroidery.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

Pattern: Semele
Source: Åsa Tricosa Designs
Yarn: Diamond Yarn Luxury Collection Baby Alpaca Lace (held double)

Knitting Specs: Semele


While a lot of my knitting is for other people, it tends to be for the same people, people who I know will appreciate the amount of time and effort that goes into a handmade piece. And if they don't appreciate it, well, these are people I love too much to care about that.


But I have been wanting to diversify a bit. I have wanted to make something for my Aunt Jude for a long time now, both to remind her of her mom (my Grandma) and just because I think she's quite special. This pattern was perfect for her...lots of green leaves, and airy and delicate.

floppy fairisle

Pattern: Floppy Fairisle Hat
Source: Fat Cat Knits
Yarn: Cascade 220 and Patons Classic Wool
Knitting Specs: Floppy Fairisle Numero Uno

Since I began knitting, it has been my goal to be able to knit fairisle, a multiple colour knitting technique that generally uses two colours per row. I am happy to say that I have finally conquered my first fairisle project, a lovely pattern that I plan on knitting again (and again!). I was able to use scraps for the entire project, which was really satisfying, and I love the 'flop'.

Knitting this hat taught me a lot about myself. That sounds odd, but it did. As long as I was worried about the outcome, everything turned out a hot mess. It wasn't until I was able to step outside of my own way and trust my fingers that everything came together.

One of the reasons that I put off learning fairisle for so long is that I hate not being at good at things...right away. This is a really childish personality trait that I am not proud to admit to. I speak about the value of the learning process and the worth of being humbled, and yet I don't value the experience myself. This has to change.

Here, look at my gleaming, glorious, (totally imperfect) guts.

I have been struggling (in various areas of my life, not just knitting) with the difference between striving for excellence and striving for perfection, and what it might mean to attain neither. I couldn't have expressed that until my friend sent me this quote earlier this week:

Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing.

- Harriet Braiker

I need to sit with this idea for a while. To let it sink into my bones. To step out of my own way. More than anything I need to

just

keep

going.

marley

"His name is Marley...drinks malted barley..."

Every dog gets his own theme song, a spontaneous practice that has stuck around.

It's funny how quickly one can fall in love with a dog. Marley belongs to somebody else, so he won't be here for long, but already we will miss him so much.

yggdrasil

Pattern: Yggdrasil
Source: Knitting Daily
Yarn: Cascade Eco+ in Turtle
Knitting Specs: Yggdrasil

For me, the 2011 Fall term of university will forever be associated with this blanket. General Phonetics and Research Methods are all over it. My (mostly) monogamous relationship with it proved trying at times, but the final result is something I am proud of.


This was knit for my sister, who generously loaned me her iPod touch for an indefinite period. I then proceeded to break said iPod (or rather, it just up and died). Rather than simply having me replace it, my sister opted for a knitted afghan instead. In a fit of irony, the iPod recently sprang to life. This is when I decided the medium size was PLENTY of afghan and wrapped this sucker up. I am quite pleased with it, though admittedly very happy to be finished!


While I'd love to believe that Dreyfus is in love with this blanket (it will live in his house, after all), my heart knows that he is really just in love with the person underneath it.