Have begun “photographing” new work and uploading to my flickr stream. Circular vest is first, it represents my version of a “circle from a square”. Top and bottom need to be loose enough to accommodate width required at outer edges, middle section in turn needs to appear to be shaped. The actual first sample is not shown, cast on and bind off were too tight. That problem is solved in this piece, but now grading up for larger sizes is in the works. More photos here as I work through the next sample in the series.
Return to the land of the knitting
July 25th, 2010Computer “break” sources of inspiration
May 23rd, 2010Well, dry sunny weather has caught up with the northeast, and I have spent more time with cement, Thompson water seal, and weed wars than with yarn, wire and any tools capable of producing items using it. Surfing during breaks from such activities I often find sources for inspiration, thought I would begin sharing them. Biology (my own has been under quite a lot of scrutiny of late) inspired multi media art including lovely machine embroidered doilies
Where does time go?
May 20th, 2010Seems I have taken a far longer “vacation” from knitting than intended. One project in the “works” is a “rectangle into a square” circular vest/wrap. Photos/ process notes to follow. Meanwhile is an art/couture knitter whose site you may like to visit; the most recent collection shows a shift toward lighter weight, more “wearable” items.
Happy spring!
March 25th, 2010Winter has flown by. New knit items are ” in the works”. Am working through the usual problem solving, swatching, machine crankiness (including a required deep cleaning of my passap machine). A note of thanks to galleries that have displayed and sold my work during the past season.
Giving thanks
November 25th, 2009Best wishes to anyone finding me here at this time of year for thanksgiving and the upcoming holiday season.
Definitely on my personal celebration/thankful for list is having completed deliveries to 4 venues for winter 2009 (links may be found in sidebar). There has been a one person frenzy of production knitting in my home studio, accompanied by fiber fuzz, KM/yarn crankiness, the felted items timed out at intervals by a need for medical attention by a fairly new washer, the relative sanity of not having to look at the same colors for long aside the insanity of constantly adapting to different yarns’ behaviors, and the glory of seasonal static working its effect on all involved (hurray for grounding wires and humidifiers!). The photo below reflects a very small portion of total output, only part of the color ways, and some of the reason I have been absent from posting. Next up: earrings to replace depleted stock, and more knits to replace sales. Taking some time out for family and friends, a break from knitting to tackle oven and kitchen “stuff” and discover if I can still cook as well as knit. Since I don’t like the same yarn all the time I may have to explore new ingredients added to familiar ones in baking….. pumpkin pie may be made with full fat coconut milk this year……
Fall craziness
October 28th, 2009October is usually my busiest production month: photos will follow. Inventory deliveries have begun. Added to seasonal shows in which I participated last year will be the “100 under 100″ show at Bead and Fiber. Please visit for directions, specifics, and other information on the gallery.
Getting seasonal: “happy hollow”
October 2nd, 2009My first “fiesta” ornament with some mood lighting (frame is actually bright embossed aluminum), 4.25 inch square
Two of the triplets
September 27th, 2009cashmere rib tuck stitch shawl detail shots
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To block or not to block
September 23rd, 2009Pattern repeats are sorted out, out of work needles correct positions critical, many false starts, then onto yarn crankiness. Two “shawls” are now knit, approximately 16 inches by 64 inches, one in off white cashmere, the other in over spun wool. They are large enough to drape around shoulders, lightweight enough to wrap for warmth as scarves. Both required washing to remove sizing, are now very different in body and touch. My favorite way to “block” laundered items is air drying on a wool rug after a couple of spin cycles in the washer. I use pressing/steaming if appropriate to fiber, do have blocking wires, but they have only ever seen daylight as substitutes if I “lose” ribber cast on comb wires. Next in this family will be a shot at knitting this item with thin ribbon. Here are the completed drying twosome with their purl side public face. Knit side is interesting as well, duplicating the hand technique swatch exactly. Yarn weights used are pushing boundaries for KM, knitting is extremely slow after design/yarn problems are all sorted out. Though this online post follows camera documentation that began yesterday, the actual process has occurred over the past 2 weeks.
A shawl tale
September 22nd, 2009I have always been interested in mock crochet stitches executed on the knitting machine, have done a bit of experimenting in the past. The ones that are the most interesting to my eye are usually double bed, often making them reversible, which in turn may require hand manipulations. Browsing through old knitting magazines I came across this baby sweater, and became determined to produce a similar fabric, in a manner that might be more manageable for production. In this instance the back locks are changed in sequences of 3, 1, with button changes, they yarn is fine. First sample I produced was following the pattern stitch instructions.
The fabric as a hand technique, dropped stitches included
The challenge: creating a downloadable stitch pattern that will automatically select appropriate needles and duplicate this texture. Yarn used will be varied and different weights. Pusher/needle set up both beds critical, then there must be an edging…more to follow.
