Finished Projects

I have finished some projects but probably started more.

 

Berlin Reflections was a test knit for Kimberlolly. I had forgotten how much fun and magical it is to knit a mobius using Cat Bordhi's cast on and techniques. This was fun to knit because it shows the famous buildings in Berlin which are reflected on the other side. I loved Berlin when I was there so this was meaningful to me. The yarn is Kells Sport by Three Irish Girls on size 6 needles.

One day I spent the whole morning looking for a pattern to teach the Dishcloth of the Month class at Amazing Threads. Then I discovered I had written this pattern some time ago so will use this one as it teaches 3 kinds of cables. The yarn is Nashua Hand Knits Linen.

When I first saw this pattern I knew I had to make it! It is called Celestarium and is a circular shawl based on Elizabeth Zimmermann's Pi shawl and is a "map" of the constellations. It was much easier to knit than I thought it would be and is one I didn't want to end because it was so fun. The yarn was specially dyed for me by Dawn of Propaganda Yarn and she called it Orion's Belt and it was knit on size 5 needles.

Matsuri is finally finished. When I saw this scarf my first comment was, “I hate to do blackberry stitch”! But this stitch is calld berries in a basket and was actually fun to do and looks pretty.

I started this scarf 3 times-first time my guage was way off, second time I didn’t read the pattern carefully and did seed stitch instead of moss stitch. If this had been for me rather than a shop sample I would have left it. The 3rd time was operater error also, I was doing the dec 4 wrong so the pattern was not lining up. The yarn is Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK on size 6 needles.

Another shawl finished. I'm not doing very well on 12 shawls in 2013 as this is only my 2nd one-but I have 3 more on needles! This was Romi Hill's Mysterious Shawl and was a fun one to do. I did run out of the brown yarn so deleted about 6 rows of the border. The yarn is Hazel Knits Artisan Sock and it was knit on size 5 needles.

Why Do I Knit What I Do

Knitters say they are either a process knitter or a product knitter. Process knitter knit for the joy of making what they are making. Product knitters knit for the finished product. I don't think a person is one or the other, but a combination of the two. I am much more of a process knitter, because once I see how the knitting looks, I'm ready to move on to something else.

As you've seen on this blog, I love to knit lace shawls. My theory behind this is that I am my great grandmother reincarnated. In my cedar chest I have a set of sheets and towels with knit lace which I discovered Great Grandma Kate made. Now this was in the late 1800's, early 1900's, she lived on a farm and had 11 living children. But she still made a set of these sheets for each one of her children.

As a process knitter, I love to see how the next row will change the appearance of my project. Lace knitting often is the most exiting because it changes so often. I often say that if I wouldn't stop to admire what I'm doing so often I would get so much more done, but that is not the object of my knitting. Plain garter stitch or stockinette stitch bore me, although they both have a time and place. Knitting in public requires a project that doesn't take a lot of concentration. So, why do I have a sweater in the closet that is waiting for me to cast on the sleeves?

Mystery knits are perfect for a process knitter. Each clue as it arrives changes the appearance of the project. Here is a good example: Clue 1.

Clue 2. Unfortunately, this has to be put aside because other things have now come up which have deadlines.

I teach at a knitting shop and the employees knit samples for the shop and I knit samples for my classes. Yesterday I got a call wondering if I would make the lace poncho on the front of Vogue Knitting as a shop sample and also do a class on it. Sure, why not? After deciding to do it, I see that I'll be increasing to nearly 1000 sts!

I love to test knit patterns, especially lace patterns. Through the Free Pattern Tester Group on ravelry I have met 2 talented shawl designers and now they request me to test their patterns. This year, I have test knit 3 shawls for Kimberly Gintar in Germany and today got the pattern for the 3rd one for Aino Haikala in Finland. The last 2 I can't publish pictures yet as the patterns have not been released.

Evening in the Garden by Aino. I love the uniqueness of her designs and shaping.

Blue Ivy by Kimberly. Her shawls are wonderful to cuddle up with.

Judy B by Kimberly.

Ribbons and Lace for the Cure by Kimberly. This pattern is still being tested and has not been released yet. Proceeds from the sale of the pattern will go for breast cancer research. My shawl is orange for leukemia.

This is a sneak preview of Aino's pattern.

I try real hard to do charity knitting, but it is so easy to let that slide. Maybe related to that is that I like to knit things that proceeds of the pattern or kit go for a cause.

Mathilda Monster went to Beyond the Yellow Ribbon for families of military personnel.

A portion of the price of the yarn and pattern for Cardioid went to Susan Koman Foundation.

My least favorite knitting is the request from family category. I really like to knit for them especially when they specifically ask for something, but it might not always be what I want to knit. On the list right now is a pair of socks for my daughter in law. She bought the yarn for me and I'd like to get them done for her birthday in August. My schedule is that this will be a good project when we drive to Illinois for Stitches in August.

Mystery Shawl #9

Completed!
Pattern: Goddess Knits Mystery Shawl #9

Yarn: Jojoland Melody

Needles: Size 5

Mystery Stole #4

I didn't frog. After seeing pictures of the completed stole, it was so pretty, I've returned to the project. This is Clue 3 completed-2 clues remaining, plus the entire 2nd half.

Pattern: Serendipity Stole by Georgine Bow

Yarn: Joslyn Fiber Farm Shine Solid

Needle: Size 4

Mystery Shawl #9

Goddess Knits Mystery Shawl 9, Clue 4 is finished. It's interesting how the colors of the yarn seemed to change, so I checked and did have the same dye lot for all the skeins. Maybe because the rows are longer, the color doesn't pool in such thick stripes. One clue to go!

To Frog or Not to Frog, Mystery Stole #4

Mystery Stole #4. I hate putting all the beads on this-it's putzy to stop and do it, my yarn splits so I have to fuss with that and its such close work, my eyes blur up after only a short time. Since I'm not enjoying the process I'm tempted to frog, but the pictures I've seen of the stoles further along are beautiful, so after doing 4 rows today I put it back in the basket, still undecided.

Goddess Knits Anniversary Mystery Shawl

Finished! The details about yarn and needles are in previous posts. Each clue had 4 choices of designs. My choices were: Clue 1, Chart B; Clue 2, Chart B; Clue 3, Chart A; Clue 4, Chart D.I must admit I am not happy with the clue before the edging. The last portion looked more defined in the graph than it does on the picture and the shawl. Maybe my gauge was too loose. I am an experienced lace knitter, but found these patterns harder to follow as the graphs didn't show what the design was going to be and didn't seem to follow a pattern. The design didn't show up until done, which was part of the fun.
I'm still addicted to mystery shawls-still have 2 on needles!

Anniversay Mystery Shawl

Clue 4 is finally done! Now, "all" I have to do is the border. But I have several projects I have to do for the shop and another mystery shawl unfinished, plus I've signed up for a Mystery Stole! Why do I do this to myself?

Mystery Shawl #9

Clue 3 finished.

Mystery Shawl #9

Clues 1 and 2. Now I can start on last week's clue! With about 300 stitches on the needle now, each row takes a while.

Mystery Shawl #9

I think I'm addicted to mystery shawls! The Anniversary shawl is still progressing, but very slowly; now I've started this one.

Goddess Knits Mystery Shawl #9, Clue 1.

Yarn: Jojoland Melody

Needle: Size 5

Anniversay Mystery Shawl

Goddess Knits Anniversary Mystery Shawl A Long. I'm thoroughly enjoying this project-both the shawl and the mystery and suspense of the clues. Now to wait until Saturday for the next clue. I've used Chart B for Clues 1 and 2 and Chart C for Clue 3.


Clue 3, Chart A.

Goddess Knits Anniversary Mystery Shawl

Goddess Knits Anniversary Shawl KnitALong. What fun this is! Clue 2 came out Saturday, so this is the result of the first 2 clues, both using Chart B. Each clue has a choice of 4 charts, so the possibilities are endless. Three more clues to go.

Goddess Knits Anniversary Mystery Shawl

Clue One. Chart B.

The first clue came out Friday-a day early. This section had 4 choices of design. I tried Chart D, but took it out and tried Chart B which I stayed with. Now it's going to be a long week until the next clue comes out!

Pattern: Goddess Knits Anniversary Mystery Shawl www.goddessknits.com

Yarn: Joslyn's Fiber Farm

Needles: Size 4 (I used size 5 for the swatch, but I didn't like the looks of that one.

I must be crazy!

In January or February I started the Bleeding Hearts Stole from Interweave Knits as a project for my college reunion. I wasn't far into in when I calculated how many rows I had left to do and how many days I had to do it in and decided I didn't need that kind of pressure, so progress slowed down. It's at the point it doesn't seem to be going any where-a point at which I seem to lose interest. I had almost decided to frog this project (especially since the needles I want to use on a different one are in this one) but when I took it out and looked at it, it is too pretty to frog.

An ad on Ravelry showed this Swirl Shawl in these beautiful colors in modular knitting. I just had to have it!

Then we started discussing classes for the fall at Amazing Threads and decided the Ring of Lace Wrap by Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer would be a good one, so I have to make a shop sample. It is actually an easy pattern-6 stitch, 6 row repeat, so can be done in public. The yarn is so yummy-Schaefer, Andrea, silk.

QOE showed me a pattern she had discovered for the Labyrinth Lace Shawl by Evelyn A. Clark- www.evelynclarkdesigns.com . I've always loved the symbolism of the labyrinth and the meditation walking a labyrinth, so I just had to have it.
And, another Ravelry discovery-a Mystery Shawl Knit A Long. I've never done a knit a long or a mystery project so since lace is my passion I had to do Goddess Knits Anniversary Shawl Knit A Long. www.goddessknits.com This is the gauge swatch-the first clue comes out on the 14th.

This is unrealistic!!!! Why, oh why do I start all these projects????