Knitting

Adventures In Irish Knits

17 Mar 2013

4 Comments

fisherman3

We attribute meanings and associations to holidays – real, tradition or made up. Leprechauns, green beer, corned beef and cabbage, shamrocks, parades, and four-leaf clovers sum up today. For me, St. Patrick’s Day is the day to be swathed in a big Irish hug — one of the Fisherman sweaters I obsessively knit for many years. Not only are these sweaters unisex, they never go out of style.

After attaining knitting proficiency by reading and swatching my way through tea-stained copies of Barbara Walker’s series, A Treasury Of Stitch Patterns, I set out to learn the Irish stitch patterns. I soon found these Aran patterns were as addictively intriguing to knit as the messages conveyed in the individual stitches.

The classic knitting book by Alice Starmore, Aran Knitting provided the background and patterns for traditional fisherman sweaters. This book was out of print, but happily, it has been re-released, revised and expanded!

History

Aran Sweaters go way back. The emergence of the first sweaters are debatable, but commercially available Aran knitting patterns were published in the 1940′s. The yarn was spun and knit off the west coast of Ireland on the Aran Islands. The sweaters were handcrafted for fishermen and farmers, and passed down from generation to generation. Each stitch pattern is said to carry its own unique meaning. These sweaters were often used to help identify bodies of fishermen washed up on the beach following an accident at sea.

Stitches

The combination of stitches have been interpreted in these popular Aran sweater stitch patterns:

cableThe Cable Stitch depicts fisherman’s ropes. It represents a wish for a fruitful day at sea.

diamond

The Diamond Stitch reflects the small fields of the islands. Sometimes the diamonds are filled with Moss Stitch, which is said to depict the seaweed that fertilized the barren fields. The diamond stitch is a wish for success and wealth.

zig_zag

The Zig Zag Stitch is a half diamond. It represents the twisting cliff paths on the islands. The Tree of Life reflects the importance of the family – a desire for clan unity.

Photo: French Voguettes via Pinterest, Vogue Knitting

4 CommentsCategory: crafts, Fashion, Holidays, Knitting

Dreaming In Color: A Free Knitted Hat Pattern

29 Dec 2012

2 Comments

Jordyn_hat3
“I never felt daunted by difficulties or blocked alleys. Somehow, I knew the path I was on was right, and my trust in that sense was stronger than the limitation of my own personal comforts or desires.” ~ artist and knitting designer, Kaffe Fassett

My daughter presented me with the autobiography of Kaffe Fassett, Dreaming In Color. The luscious multi-layered book has been feeding my post-holiday soul. In the afterglow of holiday overload, extended family dinners and massive clean ups, I pause each evening and curl up with this book. The inspirational words and opalescent photographs of Kaffe’s lifelong creative journey have encapsulated me from the harsh reality of the last few weeks.

Kaffe Fassett's art, Dreaming In Color

Kaffe Fassett’s art, Dreaming In Color

From Kaffe’s bohemian beginnings in Big Sur to his royal rambles in England, his life unfolds to touch the hearts of painters, mosaic and fabric artists. But the book reaches deep into the souls of knitters who cannot resist replicating his colorful and whimsically patterned designs.

I took a workshop with Kaffe in Lenox, MA in the ‘80’s when his book, Glorious Color landed in the U.S. Following Kaffe’s visionary career has influenced my use of color and my knitting ethic. It blew away my neutrally classic ideas about color. What…me use such revolutionary colors? What…me leave my unwoven yarn ends dangling? It was a lawless approach that I wholly embraced. All very freeing and bursting with wonder!

Kaffe Fassett knitted design.

Kaffe Fassett knitted design.

Dreaming In Color reads like a visual pattern. The book is gorgeously designed, which is no surprise given publisher and friend, Melanie Falick’s expert eye for both editing and design.

It is the perfect book to top off the holiday and sustain a knitter throughout the long winter months.

Earlier this season, I thought about Kaffe Fassett when I chose the colors for my knitted gifts. I designed a simple hat (above) that stitched up quickly, and I’m glad a riot of colors landed in my knitting bag — orange, turquoise, chartreuse, ochre — knitted with a thick, nubby, soft merino yarn.

 

In the openness of the New Year, let’s remember the best things in life are handmade – from our precious children to the coziest of hats.


Chunky Hat (free knitting pattern)

Materials
2 skeins Malabrigo Merino yarn
Size 11 circular 11″ needles
Size 11 double pointed needles
Tapestry needle

Directions
Cast on 56 sts on circular needle. Place marker and join.

K2, P2 for approximately 6″

Begin decrease rows as follows (change to double pointed needles when it becomes too tight on the circular needles):

Row 1: k4, k2 tog, repeat around row
Row 2: k around row
Row 3: K3, k2 tog, repeat around row
Row 4: k around row
Row 5: K2, k2 tog, repeat around row
Row 6: k around row
Row 7: K1, K2 tog, repeat around row
Row 8: K2 tog repeat until 6 sts remain.

Cut yarn, leaving 6” tail and thread tapestry needle, draw needle thru remaining 6 sts. Pull tightly, weave in ends.

Main photo: Ben Fink, model: Jordyn Cormier

2 CommentsCategory: Art, Children, crafts, Design, DIY, Fashion, Holidays, Inspiration, Knitting

A Needled Spirit

28 Nov 2012

7 Comments

“Properly practiced, knitting soothes the troubled spirit, and it doesn’t hurt the untroubled spirit either.” ~ Elizabeth Zimmermann

The knitting alarm is ringing. Can you hear it? If you’re a knitter you can. It’s starts when the outdoor world gets tinged with variegated hues and winter whites, and shuts off when the temperatures rise so high your hands can’t stand to touch wool…not even the softest cashmere. The flakes are falling and it’s finally what my my mother calls, “sweater weather.”

For me, knitting inspiration climbs to new heights each time I step into Pinterest. It feeds my troubled or untroubled knitting spirit.

So, direct from Econesting’s Knitting Pin Board, here’s a few projects of the season–the knitting season:

The easy Redy Sweater by Ankestrick is sweet because there is almost no shaping…no fussing with collar decreases and no fumbling with stitch pick ups. Sweater perfection. Now, what color?

 

 

Have you seen those new gloves created for touchscreen texting? No need to wrap your hands in those polyester numbers when you can knit fingerless gloves. Here’s a fun snow-tipped pair: Hege Mitt, by Michelle Wang.

 

 

When I look back at items I’ve knit, memories of time, tranquility and toddlers come gushing in (I knit furiously throughout my kids’ childhoods). I adore an ongoing project for all those nostalgic reasons. This comfy, Slip Stitch Sampler perfectly zaps up left-over yarn and will keep the knitting fires burning all winter long.

 

The creative sideways construction of this knitted poncho/cape intrigues me. Is it knit like a baby blanket and sewn up one side? Don’t know because the pattern is French to me…literally.

 

 

I am rarely surprised by ingenious knitted creations, but I nearly fell off my chair when I saw these Knitted Yoga Balls. I sit a lot and like to break up the long hours by unchaining myself from my ergonomically-designed Aeron Chair. Sometimes I bounce and stretch on an exercise ball. I’m toying with the idea of jeweling up a lowly specimen using this Knitted Yoga Ball pattern.

 

Illustration: Edel Rodriguez
Photos: Ravelry, Brooklyn Tweed, Knitting Warehouse, Thread and Needle, Better Living By Design

7 CommentsCategory: crafts, Fashion, Knitting

Yarn Bombing: Knitting Over The Edge

1 Oct 2012

3 Comments

Has knitting become a subversive movement? In the last few years, knitting has put miles of distance between the images of grandmas in rocking chairs knitting up tea cozies. I just love how hip, and alternative-minded folks are picking up needles and casting a rebellious flair on an otherwise complacent hobby.

I encountered my first brush with yarn bombing after a satisfying lunch with my kids at the popular Boston eatery, Flour. I was totally taken aback when I bumped into an innocent lamppost and came face to face with urban knitting graffiti.

Like many of you, I’m a big fan of individualizing environs – both interior and exterior, and knitting is my number one hobby of choice. As a mostly non-political knitter, my knitting adventures of late have been relegated to gifting my family with hats, scarves and socks. It may sound silly, but this lamppost encounter with its anonymous yarn artistry, absolutely delighted me. It was as if the inanimate object sprung alive and sported a mischievous grin that said, “Tag, you’re it.”

Magda Sayeg, the founder of Knitta says, “It not only turns alive, there is something comforting and loving about it. You don’t look at the pieces we wrap and get angry or mad. You are happy.” Two outlaw knitters, Mandy Moore and Leanne Prain have elevated yarn grafitti to a new level in their book, Yarn Bombing: The Art of Crochet and Knit Graffiti. Along with the accompanying blog that chronicles Moore and Prain’s research into knit (and crochet) graffiti groups from around the globe, they’ve been “tagging” the world with “yarn bombs.”

Pique your interest? If you are a knitter or crocheter with a flair for fiber artistry and you’re interested in dabbling in the underworld of yarn bombing, join the movement. It’s certainly a great reuse opportunity for your leftover stash. Plus, groups are popping up all over the world. But first, you must be willing to abide by a manifesto of sorts.

England’s, Incognito group (no website link, as they want to stay below the radar) shares a few rules:

1. We anonymously promote knitting as adventure.
2. We aim to soften the edges of an otherwise cruel, harsh environment.
3. We juxtapose vandalism with the non-threatening nature of knitting.
4. We aim to readdress the nature of graffiti with a non-permanent, non-destructive, cozy medium.
5. We are a non-discriminating collective.
6. We aim to recruit members to tag on an international scale.
7. Knitstable today, the world tomorrow!

Ready to join the yarn graffiti force? Even if yarn bombing is too fringe (no pun intended), check out the book…it’s a voyeuristic pleasure not to be missed.

For me, yarn bombing gives new meaning to, “Go hug a tree.” Thoughts? Does knit graffiti desecrate, or do you agree with Yarn Bombing’s slogan, “Improving the urban landscape one stitch at a time?”

3 CommentsCategory: Art, crafts, Design, DIY, Fashion, Knitting, Reduce/Recycle/Reuse

3 Ways To Knit Green And A Big Cable Coverlet (free knitting pattern)

10 Apr 2012

6 Comments

In my conciliatory effort to catch up, it’s time for a spring fling knitting project. Before you grab your needles, let’s take a look at the saving the planet side of knitting.

Since I must examine the eco-friendliness of everything, and I must knit, I must help you find a way to knit without doing any further harm to our precious environment.

Let’s be real. Knitting is not the greenest of crafts. It’s expensive, and there’s a myriad of toxic additives and dyes used in the manufacturing of yarn. The process is not energy-efficient, and not great for workers health. And a large chunk of yarn comes from faraway places. All of this can negatively affect people and our planet.

While the yarn industry may have a long way to go, there are a few things conscious knitters can do.

3 Ways to Green Your Knitting

1. Knit Your Stash – Here’s a fact: Knitters horde yarn. Why? Because you’ll never know when you will need a variegated purple fingering-weight merino angora-blend skein. What was I thinking?

2. Unravel An Old Sweater – It’s spring…go weeding in your sweater drawer. I wrote about how to rip out a sweater and reuse the yarn HERE. Try it. For some, ripping out is more fun than knitting.

3. Consider Your Ecological Impact – Purchase organic yarn from a local yarn shop. Organic yarn goes through the same rigorous requirements as organic meat. Sheep are fed organic feed, free of injected growth hormones, and their cushy fleeces cannot be washed in chemicals. Natural dyes seal the eco-deal.

Big Cable Knitted Coverlet

My daughter sent me a photo of a coverlet she wants for her bed (main image). I pinned it onto my Pinterest Knitting Board. Love the big cables. I found the perfect (free) KNITTING PATTERN (right), and beautiful creamy organic yarn at my local yarn shop.

Cabled and caught up!

Photos: the style files, Lion Brand Yarn

6 CommentsCategory: crafts, decor, Eco-Friendly, Environment, Knitting, Reduce/Recycle/Reuse, Sustainable Living

Knitting’s Finest: Cashmere

20 Dec 2011

3 Comments

Can I just say right here, right now that if given a choice, I would always choose cashmere. Always. Sounds so snooty…and I am not, but cashmere trumps all…especially to knit with. Jade Sapphire cashmere is spectacularly soft and toasty. It is the cashmere du jour. If you are looking for a present for a sophisticated knitter, these Jade Sapphire Kits are equivalent to most elegant holiday tree toppers. Each of the kits comes with seven incredible stitch pattern designs for scarves and 350 yards of sumptuous worsted weight (no tiny needles required) cashmere.

Are these scarves irresistible or what?

Photo: Manly Scarf Kits via Purl Bee

3 CommentsCategory: crafts, Design, DIY, Holidays, Knitting

Knitting and Artichokes

23 Oct 2011

4 Comments

Sometimes you just have to go with your gut. I did last weekend at the NYS Sheep and Wool Festival. My gut told me not to buy yarn. There were a few reasons for this:

1. My yarn basket overflowith. Happy
2. Computer time has cut into knitting time. Sad
3. Wool-related items were in hot demand, so I purchased: sheepskin slippers, alpaca socks, wool-batted pillows, and a scarf from Peru. Oh, and…artichokes. Yes, you read that right (more below). Satisfied

A funny thing happened on the way to the Sheep and Wool Festival…

I got sidetracked at my local yarn shop – Fabulous Yarns. You may recall, I posted a rare, free pattern of a reverse cabled scarf. Apparently, not only was the scarf scrumptious and warm, it was a hit in the knitting world. That cabled scarf was picked up all over the web: Ravelry, Pinterest, One Pretty Thing, Vogue Knitting, and a few other sites. I purchase the baby alpaca yarn for that scarf at Fabulous Yarns, and when I stopped in before the Festival, the owner asked if she could create a kit using my pattern. I’m thrilled, and will announce when the kit will be available. In the meantime, you can get the pattern here and purchase the yarn online at Fabulous Yarns.

Sustainable Sheep Stuff…

Last year, I wrote about how overwhelming this event was in its pagentry of everything yarn-related. This year, I focused on the many small, less commerical merchants selling their warm, wooly wares. For instance, my friend, Lynn Mordas owns and operates, Dashing Star Farm, a working farm in Millerton, NY. She is a one-woman sheep farmer. Lynn operates her farm in a humane, sustainable manner. Her livestock are free-ranged on rotated pastures, and fed locally grown forages and whole grains. Her gorgeous yarns, wool and sheepskins are naturally processed. I am pleased to say, the wool pillow I purchased from Lynn at the Festival is one of the most comfortable pillows I’ve ever slept on. Here is a wonderful story about Lynn’s farm.

Artichokes…

I believe many people come from far and wide to the Sheep and Wool Festival just for the French Artichokes. They are amazing…festival-food at its finest. Check out the artichokes here at Knitter’s Review. It’s well worth spending a chunk of your precious time waiting on line and talking to knitters in the know.

Photo Credits: Main image: Colours, Johan Ku via Items by Design Bird, Goat, Juliet R. Harrison Photography, Pillows: Berkshire Food Journal

4 CommentsCategory: crafts, Design, DIY, Fashion, Knitting, Shopping

Excuse Me While I Knit The Sky

19 Aug 2011

5 Comments

I’ve been admiring the sky. The early, early morning sky…and the late, late afternoon sky. One of the things I love most about living in the Hudson Valley is the color of the mid to late August sky. The morning pinks vibrantly pop on the deep hazy green backdrop. In the early evening, the brilliant blue sky is tinted with an orangey foretelling of fall.

The Hudson River School began capturing this landscape in the mid-1800’s. I recently took a walk on a wonderful local trail, Poet’s Walk. It winds past the Hudson River and is often visited by a line up of artists painting similar depictions of the river, as old masters did so many years before.

Knit The Sky

What I did not see on my walk was anyone knitting a Sky Scarf like the one in this video. I love the idea of “concept knitting” – of being inspired to knit by taking a walk or looking out your window. Here’s how the project works:

Sky Scarf from Leafcutter Designs on Vimeo.

Painting: Fredric Church

5 CommentsCategory: Art, Environment, Knitting

DIY Wedding Delights

27 May 2011

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Weddings enchant and inspire! It’s wedding season, and during the research for an article about creating ethical weddings, I found the most delightfully creative wedding-related DIY projects – in white, of course.

The cake was a tree.

So the bride wore bamboo…

…and carried antique buttons too.

Descending the stairs of no-frills…

…she danced all night in her handmade espadrilles.

Credits and DIY tutorials: Abstraction White Rose Georgia O’Keefe, Wedding Shawl via Purl Bee, Cake Tree – Pretty Chic Blog via Craft, Vicente Wolf for Elle Décor, Button Bouquet – Letters4Lilly, Espadrilles – Between The Lines

No CommentsCategory: crafts, decor, Design, DIY, Eco-Friendly, Fashion, Food, Inspiration, Knitting, Sustainable Living

Reversely Cabled (a free scarf knitting pattern)

24 Mar 2011

36 Comments

Show and tell for my knitting readers…

Knitters know cables are a one-sided affair. One side looks marvelously complicated and the other side looks like a lumpy mess. Most cabled knitting is knitted on one side and purled on the other – with a few stitches separating the cables. Because of this patterning, projects with cables are not reversible.

A Design Challenge
As someone who designed knitting patterns for a short time, I rarely take the easy knitting route. But, I do like designs that have a repetitive pattern that you can quickly get the hang of and rotely knit. I had seen a cashmere reverse cabled scarf at Barneys. I know what you’re thinking…She shops at Barneys? Well, Barneys is lovely, and I have had a few shopping moments at Barneys, but I drooled over the scarf at a Barneys outlet store. I wish I had taken a picture of it. But, unlike my daughter who sends me pictures from her iPhone of “amazing boots” while she is shopping, I haven’t gotten the hang of taking pictures of things I covet in stores…yet.

I had it in my head that I would create a similar scarf with reverse cables. There were a few requirements for the design: no background stitches between the cables, no edge stitches, and the cables should produce an irregular wave-like panel.

After a few failed attempts, I tried cabling a K2, P2 rib. The 2 X 2 rib naturally pulls in and creates the magical wavy edge. Even more remarkable, it looks the same on both sides! I promise, this pattern is not as hard as it looks.

The Magical Reverse Cable Scarf

Materials:
Yarn: Natural Gray Blue Sky Baby Alpaca Sport Weight ~ 4 skeins
Needles: Size 8 needles, cable needle

Directions:
CO 50 st.
Row 1 Sl first st as if to Purl with yarn in front, P2, K2 across, end k1.
Row 2 Sl first st as if to Knit with yarn in back, P2, K2 across, end k1.
Rows 3, 5 and 7 same as Row 1
Rows 4 and 6 same as Row 2
Row 8: Sl 1st st as if to purl with yarn in front, work next 16 sts in pattern. *Put next 8 sts on holder, hold to back, work next 8 sts in pattern, work 8 sts in pattern from the cable needle*, work next 16 sts in pattern, K1
Rows 9-15: repeat rows 1-7
Row 16: Slip the first st as if to Purl. Work cable from * to *. Work next 16 sts in pattern, repeat cable * to *, K1
Work for desired length. End with row 15. Bind off in pattern.

Happy Knitting!

36 CommentsCategory: crafts, Design, Fashion, Knitting
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