Invaders from Planet Yarn

This photo provides incontrovertible evidence my house was invaded by the advance occupying forces from Planet Yarn.

The invaders appear to be winning, don't they?

Taken last summer, this snapshot shows the dining room table, chairs and credenza. Every surface is covered – with yarn, swatches, notes, patterns, test knits, finished projects and work in process.

Equally disturbing is the knowledge that outside the frame there's a large bin of yarn full to the brim, and two additional chairs heaped with more swatches, notes and pattern options. And that's just the dining room.

When I emailed this pic to a friend, I titled it Total Chaos. She replied, "Relax, it's just part of the creative process." (Is that a wonderful friend, or what? And she's not even a knitter ...)

Nonetheless, this terrifying image made me realize it was way past time to stiffen my spine, recapture this strategic territory, and confront the yarny invaders – no matter how soft and beguiling they might seem.

So, tell me. What do you see: Chaos? Or a natural part of the creative process?

What does your knitting space look like when you're in the throes of multiple projects all at different stages of development or execution?

I showed you mine. Are you willing to show me yours?

_________________

Related
The Knitting Zone
Yarn | The Gateway Drug
Year of Projects 2013
Update | Year of Projects 2012

Hand Knits from TV Land

Hand knits have been popping up throughout TV land. This is enjoyable, but frustrating.

Why? Because the camera rarely zooms in close enough to pinpoint the pattern, stitch combination, gauge and yarn type. It's exasperating.

The surge in TV land knits may in part be due to the Downton Abbey series, which regularly includes characters traipsing about in a knit hat, sweater or shawl, and explains why so many knitters are so passionate about the series. On Ravelry, there are three Downton groups with thousands of members, and at least 39 patterns named after characters or designed to emulate items from the show. If the producers are as savvy as they seem to be, the official Downton Abbey Book of Knitting Patterns is already in the works.

                                                                                                  

The hand knit phenomenon is alive and well in TV land on this side of the pond, too.

In Blue Bloods, Police Commissioner Frank Reagan (played by Tom Selleck) has an ever-growing wardrobe of shawl-collared Aran cardigans. I’ve mentioned the gray one before, and recently, he’s been sporting one in a lovely camel shade. (You can see the gray cardigan here.) 

On Elementary, the hip US version of Sherlock Holmes, Lucy Liu plays Watson. Since it’s winter, she wears a constant parade of scarves and hats. Are they hand knit? I don’t know, and for some incomprehensible reason the show website doesn’t answer this crucial question.

Don’t TV executives understand how vital these details are? Am I the only knitter with this strange obsession?

Earlier this week, I watched a a few moments of a show called … wait while I Google it … The Middle. What was so riveting? One character was wearing an eyelet sweater with an interesting stitch pattern and construction. As soon as the sweater disappeared from the screen, I clicked to a different channel.

Are you paying attention, TV executives? Because you’re missing several significant growth opportunities.

• Want more viewers? Dress characters in and decorate sets with interesting hand knit items.
• Want to drive traffic to your websites? Add a section called “See the Hand Knits from Our Show.” 
• Want to generate more revenue? Sell the patterns for each hand knit item.

There, I’ve shared three highly profitable ideas. (And yes, if you implement these ideas, I expect to see a healthy commission check in my mailbox.)

Meanwhile, if it’s not too much to request, would you please ask the cameraman to zoom in and linger on that lovely hand knit cardigan (scarf, shawl, hat, cowl, sweater, afghan) … Thank you, it's much appreciated.

To read more about hand knits in TV land, click here.


UPDATE
Knitting Daily just released a special print and digital magazine issue, The Unofficial Downton Abbey Knits, featuring 25 projects from a variety of knitwear designers. (October 2014)

Knitter's Point of View

I was working on a swatch for a project that's in the planning stages, and suddenly I noticed this:

To keep my hands warm and flexible, I was wearing fingerless mitts knit as part of the Show of Hands KAL sponsored by Project: Stash and Knitspiring Odyssey. The Swafghan, the epic stash down project finished earlier this year, was draped over my legs. And yes, I was working on a swatch for what may well become my next epic project.

Hand knits as far as the eye could see.

What do you see from your knitter's point of view?

WIP | Fiery Nimbus

My latest cardigan, the Fiery Nimbus, is growing gradually at best. (Yes, I'm a slow knitter. Why do you ask?)

One reason may be that I originally cast on for the No-Seam version. I quickly realized my planned modifications made that approach too complicated for my simple brain and current state of mind. So, I ripped it out and cast on again, using the original Nimbus pattern.

Since this photo was taken, I’ve added a few inches and am ready (or nearly ready) to begin decreasing to shape the arm holes and shoulders. I suspect I find that far more exciting than you do.

Highlights

Pattern: Nimbus, by Berroco Design Team

Yarn: Korall, by Laines du Nord (bulky, 100% merino)

Needles: 10 US (6 mm)

Ravelry notes: Here

Modifications

Extend the length significantly
Build in extra ease

Substitute seed stitch for garter

Modify the shawl collar construction

Add inseam pockets (maybe)

For many reasons, I've regarded the Korall as special or "shrine of the precious" yarn, as many Ravelers call it. Someday, I'll probably bore you with share those reasons. For now, let me say Korall is nice, and as the photo below shows, the color is a lovely, clear red with blue undertones.

Unfortunately, I’ve found knots in two of the three skeins I’ve used so far. When you’re dealing with pricey skeins of only 64 yards each, every inch of yarn starts to matter. It's possible those are the only knots in the entire batch, but we'll have to wait and see.

I tested the Russian or felted joining method, and while it worked, it seems too visible in this bulky weight yarn. I've never used that method before, so I'm hoping it will soften and disappear during blocking.

Of course, it's equally possible I'm simply being self-delusional.

Finding My People

I’m not a big joiner in real life or online, a fact I've mentioned before.

Sure, I belong to Ravelry, follow a few blogs and participate in the occasional KAL, usually with the lovely knitters of Project: Stash. I follow Woolly Thoughts, because they do interesting things such as geometrics and illusion knitting. But overall, I can be a bit of an introvert.

When I found the Stash Knit Down group on Ravelry, it seemed like the ideal way to stay motivated and on track with my goals, since knitting from the stash is once again a priority. (Too little space? Too much yarn? We can have that discussion another day.)

One evening, I was following the Organized, Finally! thread. Everyone was sharing ideas for getting and staying organized and extolling the virtues of spreadsheets for tracking yarn, needles, projects and more.

I stopped in the middle of these exchanges to email a (non-knitter) friend: I have found my people!

Meanwhile, in the short time it took to dash off that message, another member posted a comment, saying the exact same thing (right down to the exclamation point). I couldn’t help but laugh.

Ravelry is overflowing with wonderful knitters, lovely patterns, great yarn, interesting threads, and delightful groups. All of this can be a bit overwhelming.

With Stash Knit Down, I think I've found my people.

Mitts: How Many are Too Many?

When it comes to fingerless mitts, I’ve begun to wonder: How many are too many?

You see, I’ve cranked out a few pairs in the past few months. Ok, six pairs in three months if you insist on full disclosure.

Top row: ChrisMitts (twisted garter stripes)

Middle row:  Mystery Merino (twisted garter stripes)

Bottom row: Mismatched Mitts (red); SuperSimple (teal)

I've deliberately kept them super simple, and as a result, they have become my quick use-it-up project for odd-ball skeins and mystery yarn. (In round figures, each pair takes 100-180+ yards based on yarn weight, gauge, hand size and how long you make them.)

They’re all reversible, so there’s no wrong side. Slip them on and you’re ready to go. There are more than 15 immediate mix-and-match combinations (“right” side out; “wrong” side out; one of each), and far more if you get really creative.

                                                                                                               

My house is cool-ish and my office is cold. This means I start wearing mitts in early fall and wear them every day until late spring. When I want my hands free, I just pop my thumb out and wear them as a slouchy wristwarmer. The basic directions can be found here.

I have six new and two old pairs. So tell me: Where mitts are involved, how many are too many?

_____________________________

Related

An Unexpected Gift

PSA | Knitting Camp Registration Opens Today

If you’re a knitter, you’ve probably heard of Elizabeth Zimmerman, fondly called EZ by many in the knitting community.

In 1974, EZ and daughter Meg Swensen started the now-famous Knitting Camp, which is celebrating its fortieth year. As you may know, this annual series of summer knitting workshops is so popular, attendance is often determined by lottery.

So don't delay. If  you want to attend Knitting Camp 2013, online registrations open today and close February 8. You can find all the details here.

I have no connection to Knitting Camp, the Swensens or Schoolhouse Press, so consider this a public service announcement. I do wish you luck and hope you win the lottery.