Moebius

I've always wanted to learn how to use Cat Bordhi's Moebius Cast On (MCO). I recently completed a course with Sivia Harding at Urban Yarns to see just how mysterious it is. And it's the coolest technique ever! I cast on for a simple neckscarf using the MCO and enjoyed myself thoroughly watching the knit fabric grow from the middle out, and with only one edge, one surface. It's fascinating and mind-boggling (to me)! This neckscarf I made using a pattern from Sivia with Misti Alpaca's Hand Dyed Worsted, a wee treat for myself from String of Purls in Omaha.



I wanted to make a second project during class time so I could take advantage of Sivia's encouraging instruction, but was reluctant to buy new yarn when I have so many leftovers at home. I rummaged around and surfaced with partial skeins of Malabrigo worsted, Manos del Uruguay, Cascade 220 and Patons SWS, all very feltable yarns. Feeling virtuous using what I have, I showed my happy mix to Sivia to run it by her before casting on for Cat's Felted Moebius Basket. She explained the risk of possible uneven felting when using a combination of yarns (a basket may pucker). I wavered, but thought I would press on with my stash. After discussing it with Claire, I decided to compromise and use up the Cascade bit, but also buy one new skein of Cascade to complete the basket. Then, when I noted the pattern used Manos del Uruguay, I thew my all good intentions in the garbage. For heaven's sake, I'm taking a knitting class in the middle of a knitting shop, what am I supposed to do? I'm weak! I gave in readily enough and chose a bold, bright skein of Manos (eclipse). Pretty!



This project is fast enough, does not even use one skein. I cast on in class and kept on knitting when I got home, when I got up the next morning, after the kids went to school, and then was done by lunch. The handle cleverly is the single 180 degree (half) twist which defines it as a Moebius. I find this concept has unending intrigue, I can't wait to do more from Cat's book, A Second Treasury of Magical Knitting. I also love how forgiving the knitting can be when I know it's going to be felted - not having to weave ends neatly makes me feel pretty good.

Here we are unfelted, waiting patiently to be transformed.



And after!

Drying with a balloon to help it achieve its roundness. (Unfortunately my picture-taking skills don't show off the unique coolness of the handle's twist.)



And in its blocked glory, enjoying the goings-on of the neighbourhood from the window sill. Cute shape!





On the last post where I was modelling my purple sweater, you may have noticed the dining room table covered in cloth. Here it is on closer inspection. This is the beginning stage of my next quilt! I'm still working on colour placement, there will be lots more of this down the road.

Frontward Cabled Pullover

I was most pleased to receive Wendy Bernard's Custom Knits for Christmas! I had already perused a library copy and made my plan before the holidays. So shortly into the New Year it was easy peasy when I cast on the "Backward Cabled Pullover" with my Jo Sharp Silkroad dk Tweed hankering to be used. The designer gives lots of great tips on how to customize each pattern to make it one's own. When I made this sweater, I used the option of placing the scoop neck in the front, and making the sleeves three-quarter length so I could use up more of this luxe yarn.

I fussed around a bit with numbers to get the right fit.

I had made my swatch in the round, and washed it too. My gauge off the swatch was 19 stitches/10 cm. Pattern calls for 20 sts. I thought I would make the smallest size (chest 32 ") and that my gauge might compensate with a fit with just a bit of negative ease. Gauge off the top of the sweater where it's knit flat was about 18 sts, and then when I started knitting in the round it went up to 20 sts, as it should, because I'm knitting every stitch where the fabric is generally tighter rather than alternate rows of knit and purl. Plus, did I mention I was using smaller needles to get gauge( 4.5 mm)? Honestly then, the gauge did not compensate enough, but by then I was hoping the silk component (10%) in the yarn would add a bit of stretch to the garment to give me more room. Overall, there were too many variables for my liking, but I think it all worked.



In any case, I'm happy with the fit, and the knitted fabric is very warm, and softened up even more after a good SOAK.
My first sweater of 2009!

One Month Ago

Just 30 days past we had this:



And then we flew to Omaha where I was pleasantly surprised to see this:




No snow on the highway...who knew? And (almost) clear skies, whoa, I didn't expect that for the four days we were there.

Still some snow in the country, though, to remind me of home:



I took knitting for the plane. Since 9/11 I am always wary about flying with needles, and in the past have been careful to bring a stamped self addressed envelope in case the unthinkable happens. Lately I've been on a pretty good run, and now just brazenly show my knitted work-in-progress in a clear zip bag as I breeze through the X-ray line up. Really and truly, I think it depends a lot on who I have looking at my stuff and what kind of a day it's been. Admittedly, I only take a project on flight that is small and what I consider expendable (needles included). Like a hat made of scraps...



Brooklyn Tweed's Turn a Square (free ravelry download) was a good one for using up short bits and pieces of beloved yarns too nice to toss. I keep every yard of Noro leftovers, it's pretty well a basic need for me. Most of these stripes are Kureyon or Silk Garden betwixt some old blue worsted I received many years ago from Whale Cove Knitters on Grand Manan Island, NB.

On the plane I was also quite entranced with Interweave Knit's 2008 Holiday Gift Knitting mag. The Ribby Slipper Socks kept calling to me and begged to be knit up (who can resist BSA bulky calling out one's name?) so who was I to argue. Justified two skeins of it with using scraps of Mission Falls 1824 for the cuffs. A welcome present for Daniel whose feet needed something warm.

On my mind....

I'm cooking up an idea using a Jelly Roll of Urban Couture by Moda!



....just in time, since this is almost done.



J

And more presents past

Here are the rest of the gifts that went out!

I forgot to take a picture of the finished pair, but you can at least see one of the socks being modeled below, forefront. These were knit in Dream in Colour Smooshy, Black Parade, on 2.5 mm dpns. Superwash merino wool just perfect for socks. Dad loves them.



Marianna's teacher was due with her second baby late December, so I thought a little sweater might be in order. I used Debbie Bliss' Ribbed Baby Jacket for this one, knit with about 3.25 skeins of Mission Falls. Super cute! Like that nice vintage button?



I had been tempted for so long to try Manos del Uruguay's 100% wool in colourway: wildflower, and finally got my chance when I made Michelle a cowl for her birthday. This is Crofter's Cowl, available as a free ravelry download. Another one skein project! Very warm and cheery.



Then for myself - this was the first project I picked up after all the gift knitting was done: Squirrel and Oak mittens. I had started them early fall, then dropped them for a few months in other busyness. Anyhoo, they're all done now and getting lots of use! Knit with Blue Sky Alpacas' sportweight, they are made of baby alpaca in colourways toasted almond and licorice. Total yum. I really wanted to finish them before year end so I could honestly knit in the year 08 on the right hand mitten. That's my Chinese supersition coming out!

Past presents

Now that we're waaaay past Christmas, I think I can trot out some of the gifts I was working on this fall! It was a busy time, starting off with knitting washcloths. I used Blue Sky Alpacas Organic Cotton for the beige/white ones, and BSA dyed cottom in Pickle for the other, all neatly tied up with a pretty soap. Quick knit and practical. I used this pattern for the first one



and this pattern for the green.



For more quick, one skein gifts, I whipped off a few hats too. These are both designed by Christa Giles - check her out on ravelry! The first one was a test knit for a new pattern, made with Cascade 220 Paints, and the other two use one of my favourites of hers, the Garter Ribbed Hat, both in Silk Garden. I have made so many, I have the crown decreases memorised pretty well.





I knit up a couple of hats for us to keep. The first is also designed by Christa, called Loose Ladders available on ravelry, this one is knit in Berroco's Ultra Alpaca. The second one below is the Cashmere Ribbed hat (though this one is not cashmere, it's a nice combo of tweedy wools) here. Both hats are being modeled by the giftees.




I thought I would mix it up a bit and knit some fingerless gloves for good measure. The first set is "Design 8" from Jenny Watson's Noro Mini Knits, made with Noro's Cashmere Island. I made some modifications to this one which are noted on my ravelry page. The second set is by Joelle Hoverson, knit in Patons SWS in natural raisin. I love these one skein projects!




Whew, that's it for now, lots more to show later!