Shades of Shetland

Rosy Hibiscus....

2012-01-28T10:16:00.004-05:00

Janine Bahus, aka Feral Knitter, recently did a post on recolouring a fair isle design - and she chose my "Hibiscus Cardi" pattern as her example.

I must say, I love this new colourway!

Janine goes into great detail about the process on her Feral Knitter Blog and is offering this new colorway, as well as my original colourway......here!

It's fun to play with colour - the more shades you have on hand, the easier it is to play!

Happy Knitting!

Snowy Friday......

2012-01-27T10:32:00.001-05:00

It's a good day....if you like snow. It's been a while since Daisy and Lackie popped in to say hello.

Daisy LOVES the snow......

She loves to show Lackie how to play in the snow....

See all of the snow that she has nosed through, rolled in and generally cleaned herself on?

Yup, when she comes in from a snow adventure, once she's melted off, she is so nice and white.
She takes her ball with her up onto the chair in the window to watch the world go by....

Eventually, they settle down for a nap, planning their next great snow adventure....
probably in about 15 minutes - I love these snow days LOL!

It's a lovely winter day here.....really wet sticky snow and the potential for freezing......and I'm going to knit and maybe sort out some more stash! Have a great dat everyone, stay safe, stay warm and happy knitting!

Rowan California Cotton is.......

2012-01-25T19:44:00.005-05:00

Going to a new home in Michigan with Kathy B! Please get in touch with your address details Kathy to me at a.featonby at gmail.com - and I'll get a quote on postage to you.

I have just set my blog to allow replies to comments......this is a new feature that blogger has implemented.

So if any of you ask a question in a comment, I'll do my best to reply there.....and if someone else knows the answer to your question, well, they are more then welcome to jump right in and reply also. By using reply, rather than another comment, it keeps the conversation intact....makes it easier to keep track of things.....so I hope that this becomes part of the conversation of this blog.

Now, just so that you don't think I'm ONLY finding unfinished knitting projects in my ancient stash cupboard, well, let me tell you - I'm NOT! I'm also finding attempts at being a beader. I'm cracking myself up right now because the only thing I have ever finished from a bead kit that I bought, well, someone else, Vall (Hi Vall!) finished it for me. That didn't stop me though, I proceeded to buy a tiny bead bracelet kit, and a beaded amulet bag.....what the heck do you put in an amulet bag you say? An amulet silly!

am·u·let (my-lt)

An object worn, especially around the neck, as a charm against evil or injury.

[Latin amultum.]

Well, if I'd ever finished the bag, I could have put a few stitch markers in there, Or maybe my leisure centre pass? No, I don't think so.

Anyway, I'm not going to get the chance......my bead projects are going to a new home on Friday....and although Vall is a bead person - well, she's on a stash diet herself and resisted my beads....but Vall is taking a small stash of roving and a drop spindle I just found. Vall is also on a yarn diet, and you can read about it here.

Back to Boreal knitting....

Boreal swatching.....

2012-01-23T15:22:00.000-05:00

It is interesting to me, that many accomplished knitters don't swatch, have never felt the need to swatch, and don't really know how to swatch.

I meet one of these knitters on the Norway cruise....an accomplished knitter......Kaffe Fassett Tumbling Blocks throw, Kaffe cushions, Debbie Abrahams mystery blankets......all done without swatching.

We discovered that we shared a great admiration for the designs of Kate Davies. (I've mentioned her before and I'm going to mention her again because I'm sort of on a Kate Davies knit quest these days LOL!) When discussing Boreal via e-mail since our return from Norway, my friend (name withheld to protect the innocent !) admitted that she really didn't swatch, and didn't know how to "read" her swatch.

So this is for you........and anyone else who doesn't swatch and wonders why they should.

Make a swatch - knit enough stitches and enough rows that you can measure over a 4" square. Wash your swatch in one of the great wool washes that are available - I LOVE Eucalan (no affiliation). Stretch out gently, patting here and there - leave your swatch to dry. Once it is dry, you MIGHT want to lightly press on the back - depends on the content of the yarn you are using....this is wool so I gave it a very light steam press on the back. You'll need those long knitters pins, and a measuring tape to accurately measure your swatch.

I'm looking for a gauge of 5 stitches and 5 rows to the inch.....so I insert the pin horizontally across the top of a row of stitches.....count down 20 (4 x 5 rows).......insert the pin at the bottom of that stitch row. (Each stitch forms a V inserts the pins at the top and the bottom of the V.)

AFTER you have inserted your pins designating the number of rows you want....THEN you measure! Lay your measuring tape over the pins -- you can pull the pins out a bit so that you can see where the pin shaft is.......it's even easier to do when counting stitches....

So looking at my swatch measurements - I'm getting exactly 20 sts per 4 inches, so that's 5 stitches per inch, and ever so slightly less than 4 inches for my 20 rows. I'm comfortable with that as I can either add an extra row or two in length somewhere, or block my finished garment more vigorously for length.

Swatch until your counts are right - saves a lot of aggro in the long run. If you are the kind of knitter who is always running out of yarn for your projects....you have to go back and buy more....well, it's probably just a matter of gauge.

Happy Knitting

I am learning.....

2012-01-19T21:17:00.003-05:00

That I don't really like to rip things out. In the past, I think this might have been what caused the stall, or complete dead stop, of a project.

Last night I figured out that I'd made an error in my current project, Boreal by Kate Davies, and I had to rip back all of my lovely stranded work.......it pays to read the pattern people! I had omitted to do the underarm increases - imagine that - I had just ASSumed that you continue straight up to the underarms. I should have known better.........

So, now that I KNOW that I don't like ripping things out....(I always knew this, I just didn't want to admit it.....)

well, that's made my mind up about the Rowan California Cotton Fox Fibre - free to a good home - well not FREE, you have to pay the price of postage......

There are 4 untouched 50 gram skeins
the knitted fabric and leftovers weight 422 grams - so that's equivalent to 8 more skeins....sorry but you'll have to rip this out yourself!

So that you know what we are talking about.....postage.......max. $16 just so that you know!

If you'd like to give this vintage Rowan California Cotton Fox Fibre a new home - leave a comment here with your first name, last name initial, and what province/state you live in.....ok? If more than one new home steps up.....I'll have a draw next Wednesday.

Back to my knitting.....

Rowan California Cotton

2012-01-17T22:32:00.003-05:00

I see a pattern already.......body knit, shoulder seams done.....full stop - laughing out loud!

I seem to remember this was a pattern from a magazine....not a Rowan pattern....

It was an interesting knit - needs blocking obviously.

The two body pieces are done - and joined at at the shoulder.
There are 4 full untouched skeins.....plus a couple of leftover partial balls
and the body - what's a girl to do?

I think that while I definitely don't want to figure out how to finish this - it would take ages to find the original pattern, and looking at it, nope, I don't want to finish this design.....but I must say that this yarn is lovely.

Rowan California Cotton - DISCONTINUED
Fox Fibre - Naturally grown cotton
50g - approx. 115 yards
Shade 005 - Honey

I think this can be recycled......but I need to rip it out, wash it, rewind it......and find just the right pattern for it. At 22-24 sts to 4 inches, that's a DK weight isn't it???

Do any of you remember this stuff? It was quite a scandal at the time - Sally Fox "invented" natural shades of cotton and the big cotton growers weren't happy. I'm not sure how long Rowan offered it as one of their yarns.

Sally still grows and markets this organic natural shade cotton - it's called Fox Fibre. On the entry page of this web site - go right down to the bottom to a link to "Inventing Modern America: the Sally Fox Story" - click thru there and read about how Sally battled to bring naturally coloured cotton to the marketplace.

Why do we.....

2012-01-15T15:40:00.004-05:00

start projects, get almost to the end, then ?!?!?!? we just abandon them to start something else.

In my current mode of cleaning out my "stash"......I have found two almost complete projects. The first one is from this book.

Jaeger Handknits - Six Jaeger Handknit designs using ODESSA

Odessa was from my peach stage....I've always loved peach - and still have a touch of it in my decor.
In this photo it looks more pink.

I put it in the sunlight to catch the glimmer of the polyester "metal"

Having knit the body pieces, the two sleeves and the collar - I joined the
shoulder seams and for some inexplicable reason, quit.
WHY?
Who knows.....

It's interesting to look back at this project - one thing that I did on this project that I NEVER DO now....I joined in new balls of yarn in the middle of a row!!!! Now I always frog back to the seam edge. In a cardigan like this where the front button bands are knit as you knit the front pieces - you would always join the new yarns in at the underarm edge, so that the front band edge is perfect.

On projects knit in the round, I prefer to keep my joins at the virtual underarm seam.

Yarn: Odessa - DK 50g (65% mohair, 31% acrylic, 4% polyester metal)

Border Collie Cardi draw.....

2012-01-13T15:42:00.000-05:00

and the winner is........Jody in Peterborough!Jody if you could contact me via a.featonby at gmail.com

and a big thanks to the Hubby for doing the draw!

Testing testing 123

2012-01-13T05:07:00.001-05:00

Don't you just love it when someone is testing a microphone? Well this is the blogging version of that - me testing the blogger app.

I think it works.

"Sheep Heid Flock Cowl" - Recipe

2012-01-09T15:32:00.001-05:00

A few of you have asked me to post info on my "Sheep Heid Flock Cowl".

Well, I did a bit of modification to the original Sheep Heid motifs for my cowl. Then when I saw the Rams and Yoes blanket......it's actually easier to give you an idea of how to do a cowl using the blanket pattern... well, it's probably best to have both patterns on hand so that you can use inspiration from both.

My cowl weights 140 grams - it is HUGE - 46" bottom circumference, 32" top circumference, 13.25" in length. I use a shawl pin to gather it all up at the neckline to make it sit better. I may knit a smaller one some day.

So, using the gauge as stated in the pattern, 7.5 sts and 8 rows to the inch....you have to figure out how small/large you want YOUR cowl to be - measure one that you like the size of and then you have to fit the motifs into your sizing. If you don't already have a cowl - a good reference is to take a measurement of around your face - under your chin, up and over - because a cowl could be worn up and over your head - if you think you want to wear it this way, you may want to make it longer than what I describe below so that it is long enough to be tucked into the back of your jacket.....again, it's all your choice. If this is how you figure out your measurement for the top - the bottom section needs to be +24 or +48 stitches bigger - as there is one row of decreasing to give your cowl a funnel type shape.

With your measurements, calculate how many stitches you will need for the main body of the cowl. Luckily the charts in the Rams and Yowes patter are 6 or 24 stitches - so your sizing must accommodate a 24 st repeat.

Do your choice of bottom rib - I liked the rib on the hat, so that's what I did.

Knit Chart A - a 6 stitch repeat, 6 rows

then I'd knit Chart B1 - a 24 stitch repeat, 54 rows

then I'd knit Chart A again, on the last row of this chart I'd decrease at least 24 sts evenly on the last round (down to the number of sts I wanted the top of the cowl to be - either per your cowl measurement or face measurement)

then I'd knit Chart C - rows 20-31 (12 rows) to give you a row or Rams at the top of your cowl)

then I'd knit Chart A again (6 more rows)

and I'd finish off the top with a "rib" either the same as what I used at the cast on edge, or maybe a corrugated rib for an accent - your choice!

One thing I didn't do that I would definitely recommend - on this top "rib" section, use a smaller needle to give it a bit of body - mine keeps wanting to roll over.

So the body of the cowl is 84 rows plus whatever "rib" you do at the cast on and cast off edge - so at gauge that's 10.4 inches plus whatever rib you choose.....a good length for a cowl.

edited to fix the schematic

This is the shape you end up with - even though the bottom is knit straight up, it tends to block out on an angle because of the decrease row......then your top neck section is straight up also.

Sorry I can't be any more specific as this is an adaptation of Kate Davie's Sheep Heid, and now the Rams and Yowes pattern, and this is only a "recipe" of what I did - you have to make it in the fashion that suits you.

The only cowl I have knit before this is the Inspira Cowl which I knit up using the rib pattern from Peerie Flooers as an inspiration. I'm sort of addicted to cowls and small knits that I can wear around my neck to keep the chill off.

My thanks to Kate Davies for such a great design - I loved the Sheep Heid hat so much I just couldn't help myself! Pop over to Needled to buy a pattern or two - or via Ravelry.

I just love how she changes the Needled site banner picture to reflect her latest design. I just popped over there and the photo has been changed to the "rams and yowes" blanket, and yes, that's Bruce in the background!

Happy Knitting!

Great minds think alike....

2012-01-08T14:23:00.001-05:00

If you read my blog, you know that I am a fan of Kate Davies.....and if you haven't seen her blog entry for today, check it out before you read on please.....

rams and yowes

I've been waiting for this to appear - because after I'd knit my Sheep Heid.....I wanted more....and I had a design in mind. I was so excited at how it was turning out that I e-mailed a photo to Kate....just to show her what her Sheep Heid had inspired.

Well, this not so great mind was inspired by the great mind of Kate Davies - and it's not surprising that we both had the idea of a flock of sheep.......her flock was out being test knit at the time.....so I decided to keep my flock tucked away until her flock was ready to make their debut.

This cowl is quite large - so I use a shawl pin to gather up the neckline a bit. I realized this while I was wearing it on the Nordnorge in Norway.....you might have caught a glimpse of it in this photo.

It is so large in fact that I think Kate, being so petite, could probably wear it as a skirt. Now there's an idea - want a Sheep Heid Skirt Kate? Honestly, if you do, you can have it! I'll just knit up another flock!

I love this sheep motif so much that I've just purchased and downloaded the "rams and yowes" pattern, and being a smart knitter, I already have sufficient yarn in my stash to make this lap blanket. I'll be surrounded by sheep then!

Oldie but a goodie if you like....

2012-01-06T17:19:00.000-05:00

Border Collies!

Bought way back at one of the earliest Kitchener-Waterloo Knitters Fairs - a Mabel Corlett design with a border collie surrounded by sheep on the back - a two colour stranded design at the bottom. I've knit the back - it's still on the needle I used.

The pattern is sized small, medium and large - no dimensions are given -
and medium is circled. Sorry - no other sizing details available.

The kit uses Philosopher's Wool....and it's all here ready to go. This is a great rugged yarn even if you choose not to finish the sweater - use the border collie section for a pillow perhaps?

This yarn felts beautifully.

This kit is available for the price of postage to you!
I'm going to hold on to this for a week - it will leave my home
next Friday - either to go in the mail to someone, or
to be donated to our local Charity Shop.
(If perchance more than one hand goes up for it, I'll do a draw ok?)

All of my projects are carefully stored, away from direct sunlight,

in my no smoking home. I do have pets - and yes, I can

see a white Westie hair that probably came off of the sweater

I am wearing right now LOL!

THE UNRAVELING GREGOR KNITTED CALENDAR 2012

2012-01-06T12:20:00.000-05:00

THE UNRAVELING GREGOR KNITTED CALENDAR 2012

I saw this over at the Needled Blog and did a quick search - this is an intriguing idea - such an obvious way to respect that time is passing.

It wouldn't work around here with two Westies that would think that the unravelled part was a great thing to play with LOL!

Stash Diving - scary but worth it!

2012-01-04T18:28:00.000-05:00

So I dove into the old stash cupboard today - I've sort of got an idea of what is in here.....

projects of shame that are so close to being finished....but for some reason are not....
projects started.....but frankly were way over my knitting ability way back when they were bought....
yarn bought with no specific project in mind (my green phase LOL)

and then there are the "What WAS I thinking" yarns.

I have to make decisions about these projects, decide, take action, and move on.

In the WWIT category - we have two today.

Fiaba yarn by Filatura Di Crosa

Made in Italy

40% Mohair, 38% Wool, 16% Acrylic and 3% Polidamide

50 gram ball, 100 meters/109 yards

Recommended gauge: 16 sts and 20 rows to 10 cm on 5 mm needle

Handwash per label instructions

17 balls - $50 (includes postage to the US or Canada)

Liberty Boucle by Louisa Harding

60% Mohair, 25% Viscose, 15% Polyamide
50 gram ball, 76 meters/83 yards
Shade 04 - brown multi
Recommended Gauge: 12 sts x 18 rows per 10 mm
Suggested Needle - US 10/6mm
Handwash per label

9 balls complete with the book
"Winter's Muse Landscapes" by Louisa Harding

$75 (includes postage to the US or Canada)

I purchased this yarn to make the Timble design.
A plain long-sleeved pullover as hinted at in the photo above.
The largest size is a finished 48" and calls for 8 balls, I got 9 to make it a bit longer.

You can diet in many ways....

2012-01-03T10:25:00.000-05:00

But it is important not to totally cut yourself off of the things you love.

I tried this last year too - let's see how long I can keep it up........

No store bought baked goods!

When you bake it yourself, you know what is in it......can you say that about store bought baked goods with long best by dates?

Last year (last week LOL) I made a Walnut Fudge Cake.....I've shown this before here on the SOS blog. There are still a couple of pieces left.

This year (laughing today) rather than pitch 4 bananas that were going a bit soft for our liking, I made a Banana Walnut Loaf.

Hmmmm, DH immediately made tea and we had a slice with butter on it!

My favourite go to cook book is the Bero Recipe book which uses their self-raising flour. Unfortunately you can't get Bero Flour here in Canada - but you can get Brodie Self-Raising Flour....it works just as well!

You can find these Bero Recipe books being sold on E-bay (I wonder why?) when you can get all of the Bero Recipes on line - right HERE!

Brodie Self Raising Flour is a Smucker's product - but there isn't a specific site for recipes using the Brodie flour - so I guess I'll keep using my Bero recipes.

With a little help from my friends....

2012-01-02T13:54:00.002-05:00

Thank you for the great feedback on my yarn "diet".

When I first though about doing this, my friend Renee (Froggiemeanie) was right there and volunteered to join me in this great adventure - thanks Renee! As a "Guest Contributor" Renee - I expect you to step in here every once in a while for a pep talk ok?

Louise is thinking along similar lines - looking at her blog she does extraordinary needlework - check it out at NEEDLEPRINT VIERLANDE STITCH ALONG. Poor Louise. She is planning a trip to Wollmeise, er Munich which is near where the Wollmeise shop is and thinks that it may be hard to resist:)!

Cindi (Cynthiabrumpton) is already on a yarn diet and hopes to continue in 2012. I met Cindi on the Eucalan Scotland/England tour in September. Although Cindi has not one but TWO knitting trips planned for this year - her "diet" is to knit more than she buys! Way to go Cindi! Cindi blogs at Purl One and also is the author of Purl Peterborough a "web-based newsletter to celebrate the diversity and depth of Peterborough's knitting community."

So in aid of these two travelling knitters (and I've been known to do a bit of knit related travel myself) - another guideline needs to be added....

When on Vacation, you are granted special dispensation.
Just try to buy with good conscience!

It seems that a lot of knitters are, in their own way, yarn dieting this year.

I've been reading Harpa's blog from Iceland for a while now - lovely photos, beautiful fibre projects and Harpa is an author....and Cindi - you need to read this is you are going to Iceland this year!

Taphophile from Canberra, Australia signed the pledge (with Lochie and Peggy her two Westies) - you can read what she's up to on her blog Unravelled. I too want to Focus this year!

Rebecca (Socksformum) in Colorado is rewarding herself every ten projects knit from stash - a great idea Rebecca. Rebecca blogs at Socks for Mum, and she has a Westie named Kenzie!

Libby (Libbyuk) was right there to join this yarn adventure too.......and she recently started blogging at Libby's Blog - great start Libby - we want more! (Although this blog is in French, it is easy to put it into one of those web translation pages and read what Libby is up to - along with knitting, she cooks too!)

Vall started knitting from her stash a few months ago - and her blog is devoted to her stash busting - Vall's Yarn Stash & Stuff.

Terry commented not once but twice - to say just knit one project at a time LOL!!! Terry is my neighbour - she breeds absolutely beautiful Westies - and she knits. Terry has total control when it comes to knitting - she buys the yarn, knits the project, finishes it (or has me do the finishing) and goes on to the next project. THIS IS VERY UNUSUAL BEHAVIOUR FOR A KNITTER - right fellow knitters? Although I admire this self control - I know that knitting from my stash will be enough of a struggle - I will need variety to keep my going - so I'm sticking to my 3 projects at a time rule - sorry Terry LOL!!!

Ros (aka Cartshed) agrees with me. She likes the idea of three projects - we think alike Ros. DH and I met Ros on our recent Norway trip. Ros doesn't blog, but she does keep bees. You have to admire someone who knits and keeps bees - really, think about it!

I've left Candice to the last. Originally Candice wasn't interested.....I think it was the word "diet". When the focus changed to Consciousness...well, I think it rang a bell with Candice. With her permission, here's what she wrote to me in an e-mail....

"You have had a big influence on me to start 2012 PROPERLY. D excavated 5 bins of wool from downstairs and I purged. I was able to reduce it to one bin which now holds three bags of roving (which I forgot I had) and three unfinished sweaters. All the rest will go to SA - bits of left over Noro, Rowan, Mission Falls, icky eyelash scarf kits I received as presents and . . . ready? . . . Paton's! Bye bye! I plan to bring the empty bins up and have them organize my wool cupboard. So much to do! I also went into my stash and tried to locate wool to make the three patterns I am obsessing over from Vogue 2012. Not a great deal of luck, but may be able to do one of the sweaters from wool I already have. See? Such an influence. Oh, yeah, I'm also going to begin a knitting log/journal (Moleskin, of course) of what I've done with all the specs included. I remember the Stephen West neckerchef because I did it not too long ago, but if I wanted to do it three years from now, would I remember what it required? So, there is another bit of Feats-fluence."

Candice and her Hubby D LOVE playing around with words - and they refer to me as Feats.....at their suggestion our hardy little group of stash busting knitters will officially be called "Feats Fleece Fighters". I'll make up a page here on Shades of Shetland with links to all of us so that we can keep an eye on what the others are doing.

Special thank you to Juliet (Jzblue) who got me thinking about a yarn diet. Juliet put herself on a yarn diet in 2011. Juliet was on our Norway trip and she was surrounded by us all shopping for yarn. I did see her fondling a few balls of Drops Alpaca......but she resisted. This was a Herculean feat when you consider that Juliet is the Editor of "The Knitter" magazine - surrounded by yarn and patterns, and she shopped her stash for a full year. I bow down to you Juliet. Juliet's personal blog is Juliet's MindFull.

It's not too late to join up if you want to - as I said, you don't have to follow my guidelines, you just need to buy yarn with good conscience!

So, in honour of 2012 being a Fleece Fighting year, here's my first project.....

Boreal by Kate Davies

I shopped the stash - check!
Found some Jamieson's Shetland Heather that just might work....
I swatched - check!
It works - check!
So I will be casting on later today........

Yup, Santa was good to me this year - he didn't bring me any yarn LOL!!!

2012 - the year of the Yarn Diet!

2012-01-01T14:56:00.003-05:00

Yes, you heard me - a voluntary yarn diet!

I have long since had to admit that I HAVE WAY TOO MUCH YARN !!! This is not necessarily a bad thing - but I have decided to face up to the reality (standing up and holding my knitting needles aloft) - I am a yarn addict!

So here's what I'm thinking.....(moving the knitting needles to over my heart)...

In 2012, I pledge to....

Buy yarn with more consciousness...by....

Doing a full inventory of my yarn stash. This will make me fully conscious of what I actually have in my stash.

Shopping my stash first. When I want to start a new project, have a thorough search of my stash to see what I have on hand that may be suitable for the design.

Swatch, Swatch, Swatch! When I find something that I even think may work - swatch the design! Sometimes just doing a swatch satisfies the itch. I used to do this even when contemplating buying yarn for a design - buy one ball and swatch. Sometimes you figure out that you don't like the yarn, the stitch the design is done in, or some other detail....and you end up not wanting to knit the project anyway! So I am going to apply this to shopping the stash first, then swatching with the stash yarn.

Keep an eye out for designs that would work with my stashed yarn. These days with the joy of instant pdf purchasing on line - well, what a rush eh? So instead of getting my high by buying yarn willy nilly, I will keep my eyes open for patterns, available via pdf, that are suitable for the yarn I have on hand. In this way, for a very small expenditure I can get the excitement of the instant pattern purchase, do a swatch with yarn I have on hand, and satisfy my need for gratification. (And lets face is - pdfs are easier to store than bags of yarn.)

Surrounding myself with supportive knitters. If you are a knit buddy, help me out eh? Shop my stash before you go out and buy yarn! Honestly - I'll be putting yarn that I know I will never knit on my destash page. These yarns will be going for a song - so that I can tell myself... "see, you bought that on a whim, and now you are having to find it a new home". This will reinforce the buy with more consciousness plan.

Knit every day, even just a row or round - focus on the project in hand. I've been known to jump from one project to another - in the excitement of the new project, the old one gets left behind, unfinished, unwanted and unloved. THIS MUST STOP!!!! I can totally see the advantage of having an easy project for travel knitting, a wonderful stranded project for the joy of colour and detail of the pattern, and something in between for when you want a change. Just because you choose to knit on a different project today than the one you knit on yesterday shouldn't mean that you have abandoned yesterday's project. So, to reinforce that.....

Have only 3 projects on the go at one time! I must finish one project before casting on a new project. If I find that something just isn't working out for whatever reason, I will frog it and put the yarn back in the stash, or in the "looking for a new home" category.

Admitting that sometimes I just made a mistake! Sometimes I wonder why I bought a specific yarn - perhaps my taste has changed or I was just caught up in the moment (easy to happen in the midst of a yarn store frenzy). I have to be honest with myself, don't try and cover it up - put it out there on the destash page and give this yarn the opportunity to find a new and loving home - it's only reasonable - let another lucky knitter enjoy it!

Give myself the occasional treat. There are times when you HAVE TO BUY THE YARN - like when the new Rowan magazine comes out - you know Rowan - they put out the magazine, featuring lovely designs, and then they discontinue either the shades that the design needs, or even the yarn line itself. So you MUST buy the yarn for a Rowan design when the magazine comes out - IF you want to knit the item exactly as shown. After all, a Rowan yarn pack is a good investment. To make this work with the Great 2012 Yarn Diet, you must shop with consciousness and restraint. If the design can be worked up in stash yarn - well, use the stash yarn - but if you want to knit the Rowan design and it just won't be the same without the specified Rowan Yarn - well, sometimes a girl has to treat herself.

Go to the local yarn store ONLY when I have something specific to purchase - don't go just to browse. My local yarn store is a half-hour drive away - it's definitely worth the drive to Ancaster.....but since it is a bit of a drive, I won't be popping in all the time like I did when there was a yarn store here in town....this will actually be a great advantage to my 2012 Yarn Diet.

PS: Just because you are on a Yarn Diet doesn't mean you can't buy.....knitting accessories!

A couple of readers have indicated that they will be doing a Yarn Diet themselves this year - and if you'd like to join us (you don't have to follow my yarn diet guide - make up your own) - I'd love to list you here on a "2012 Yarn Dieters" page - just drop me a line or leave a comment and I'll post a link to your page and we can all help each other to stick to our plans for 2012.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

2011 Wrap Up

2011-12-26T16:53:00.002-05:00

This is a capture of my Ravelry Project Page - my 2011 projects.

My Asymmetric Cable Wrap was something totally different for me - it's done in a Cascade Baby Alpaca yarn - it's very nice but I haven't worn it much.

American Girl Doll garments - fun projects to knit up for two special little girls and their dolls.

Hats - Sheep Heid, Peerie Flooers and Caller Herrin - all by Kate Davies. (I think you'll see more of her designs on my Ravelry project page.

Lots of Rowan - Anastasiya finished - but I don't like the neckline - I adjusted the neckline to be a deeper V and I don't like it - may have to make a pillow out of this sweater.

My Striped Surprise is based on a Rowan design, done in a Rowan yarn, so it's a Rowan - love this sweater and wear it a lot!

The Foolish Virgins Scarf - well I have to be honest with myself and admit that this is NEVER going to be knit - so I might rework this yarn in the Gridlock or Moody Blues cushions from Kaffe Knits Again.

I totally love Kidsilk Haze - so I will probably finished the Striped Surprise Scarf - it's an easy knit for when I just want to peacefully knit......but the Kidsilk Nightly....not sure now....and to think that I searched Ravelry to find the exact shade of Kidsilk Haze I wanted for this sweater...to match a silk tartan skirt.....sigh.

My Rambling Along has totally stalled on the sleeves - I didn't even take a photo of them - I might have to rethink this one.

The Warm Lindisfarne - well, I'll be finishing that one for sure - I love this design and I'm working the sleeves top down.

Not shown here are two Rowan projects that I decided to abandon One was done in Rowan Sheep Breeds Moorit Chunky, the other in Rowan Felted Tweed - I have frogged the projects and the yarn is back in the stash.

So, for me, the word for 2012 is FOCUS! Focus on what is important, spend your precious time on things that you love - admit when things aren't working out for you, spend your money wisely, be open to applying yourself to new things. All of this applies to knitting....and when you think about it, are great rules to apply to your life in general!

A couple of you have indicated you'd like to participate in the yarn diet - if you'd like to join in....and you can set your own rules (you don't have to follow my rules - still to be determined LOL).....let me know and I'll link to you here on my blog. That way we can check in easily with each other and see how things are doing.

Only 5 more days to the Great Yarn Diet of 2012 - I hope that yarn I ordered gets here before the end of the year - I don't want to start the year off on the wrong foot!

Happy Knitting,

Anne

Merry Christmas to all........

2011-12-24T11:05:00.001-05:00

Lackie and Daisy are all snuggled up....and wish everyone
a happy Christmas (insert Holiday of your choice)
filled with contentment.

See you in the New Year - for

The Great Yarn Diet of 2012
where I challenge myself to stick to a year of
being on a "Yarn Diet"

Yarn Diet Rules to be established and will be posted on January 1, 2012.
Any "rule" suggestions or anecdotes of how you managed your yarn diet -
please leave a comment.
Anyone want to join me - I know my Guest Author Renee is interested - anyone else?

So the Shades of Shetland blog next year will
highlight the inventive use of my stash.

I have quite a bit of Rowan and Jamieson's Spinning
yarns. In particular, I have an enormous stash of
Jamieson's Shetland Spindrift yarns.
Luckily, I LOVE this yarn and have been researching
projects that can be knit up in my stash yarn!

See you in 2012!

Happy New Year Everyone!

from Anne (here with the DH at the North Cape!)

Sheep Heid Yarn Packs

2011-12-22T10:29:00.003-05:00

FYI - Sheeps Ahoy here in Ontario have put together a yarn pack for the Kate Davies design "Sheep Heid" which includes over 50m of each of the 9 shades that the pattern calls for - more than enough to complete the hat - for $32.85 + shipping (and applicable taxes if you are in Canada).

You have to get the pattern via Ravelry or Kate's blog Needled.com

No affiliation - just a happy Sheep Heid enabler!

(It also gave me the opportunity of featuring these great photos of Daisy while we were out for a walk a while ago!)

and Shopping (of course!)

2011-12-20T09:39:00.000-05:00

Thinking of my self-imposed yarn diet in 2012, I did do a little yarn indulgence while in Norway.

Our first Husfliden shop, in Bergen, the shop owner was wearing this....

I loved the idea of a stranded tunic!

from this book!

of course I will knit it in - cream, light and dark brown!

The Sandness Garn web site lists 508 stores that sell their yarn - 508! all in Norway!

In a country with a population of 4.8 million, well, that's a store for every 9,500 people!

Obviously Norwegians like to knit!

One thing I did notice in Norway - stores that sell yarn, sell other things too.....like fabric sometimes, or clothing, or kitchen goods....they don't just sell yarn......I think this is something that small yarn stores here in North America could emulate.

Something else I picked up on the trip - a Knitpics Needle Case - for interchangeable
needle tips - the little pouches are to keep your cables separate.

See how all of the needle tips have their own little slot? and it has
room for other knitting accessories!

There was knitting.....

2011-12-05T09:57:00.000-05:00

We were lucky - there were only 85 passengers on our ship when we left Bergen - 31 of those passengers were part of the Arena Group - either a quilter or a knitter - so we had lots of room to spread out! Quilters on one side, Knitters on the other of the Observation Lounge and Bar on Deck 7.

Quilters on the Starboard side

Knitters on the Port side

Debbie Abrahams was the Rowan Knit Guru on board. Debbie is known for her colourful and bead embellished designs. She admitted that coming up with a design that was based on Norwegian traditional knitting was a challenge for her (ie no beads and limiting the colours used) - but she rose to the challenge, and came up with something totally spectacular!

This bag is knit using Rowan Fine Tweed and the Purelife Sheep Breeds. Included with the yarn were "beads" hand made by Debbie's Mom - seems talent runs in the family!

Although it wasn't a competition, and there was no prize for finishing first, knitting time was scheduled for every day and the concentration was intense!

When it was noticed that Debbie had suggested (in the pattern booklet) that we might want to consider lining our bags....well, the Knitters started to scour the Quilting shops when we had time in our ports of call......so while I've been posting, I've been finishing my bag.....and here it is!

I ended up with two fabrics for potential lining - a lovely black/white/gold/red trees and reindeer pattern, or a stylized heart motif fabric for the lining, with a striped braid to finish it off in true Norwegian style.

Decisions, decisions LOL!

As you can see by the slideshow below - there was knitting worn on the tour too - you know I'm a Kate Davies fan and so is Juliet.

No Aurora Borealis...

2011-12-04T15:24:00.000-05:00

Although there was a great expectation of seeing the Northern Lights on this trip......after all.....
"Hunting the Light" is their catch phrase at this time of the year on the Hurtigruten Ships. When you go to sleep at night, you can set your telephone to intercom - if the Aurora appears at night - they announce it and you can get up and see it. Every night I had the intercom button on, the volume turned up, and went to sleep in hopes that the Aurora would appear.

It wasn't to be unfortunately.......it was early in "the season" and the weather was uncommonly mild for this time of year......

So while we didn't see the Northern Lights, we did see some spectacular sights...

While I totally understand that this trip wouldn't be for everyone....

WE LOVED IT! It was just our cup of tea and we're glad we went, even though we didn't see the Northern Lights.....maybe next time!

Last Tour Day - Kirkenes and the Russian Border

2011-12-03T13:46:00.000-05:00

After saying a fond farewell to the Nordnorge,
we boarded the "Russian Border" bus....
for a tour of Kirkenes and a trip to the border itself.

Everyone wanted a photo with the Border
crossing sign - including Debbie!

Alan and I did our self-portrait with the sign
in the background.

Two versions of Kate Davies Peerie Flooers -
Juliet used yarn from her stash (she was on a yarn diet this year - only a few weeks to go Juliet!)
and I did mine in Jamieson's Spinning Shetland Spindrift.

Then it was off to the Gabba Restaurant, home of the famous Kirkenes Snowhotel,
where they have a Reindeer Park -here I am feeding them what looked to me like spagnum moss.

Inside the Gabba Restaurant - where we had a lovely soup for lunch.

This is a panorama shot taken when our bus let us out
and had to turn around due to road conditions.
(I wish I had figured out this setting earlier in this trip - shaking my head LOL)

All in all a great time,
met some wonderful people,
and created memories to last forever!

Honningsvag and Cape North

2011-11-27T13:07:00.001-05:00

Day 6 - At Honningsvag you have the opportunity of booking an excursion to Cape North....we couldn't resist as we have this thing about getting as far north as possible (like getting up to Muckle Flugga while in Shetland)

To accommodate those who want to do the Cape North excursion, lunch is early on the ship and we set off on the bus at 12:30 - because the boat leaves at 4 - so we have to get on the road! What a road!

Honningsvag - see the snow fencing above the Town?

Taken through the bus window - this shows you how remote it is -
this road takes you to Cape North - you must have a special license to drive it.
Although Norway hasn't had it's normal snow fall this year....this road
has already been closed twice.

This is the tourist centre - what you see on top is actually 3 levels deep into the rock -
two levels down is a wrap-around screen theatre,
three levels down is a restaurant and chapels for those who want to say thanks.

Here's where we are headed - the Cape North Globe statue.
Notice the fencing....

I'm sure this statue is here
to give you something to hang on to when you have your photo taken LOL!
It was hard to keep the camera still in the wind!

Because this is the view over the fence
- you don't want to get blown over there!
71 degrees North - a new record for us!

We got back to the boat with 15 minutes to spare!

Tromso - Paris of the North

2011-11-27T13:00:00.001-05:00

Day 5 - By this time there is only 3.5 hours of daylight each day - Tromso.
It's hard to take photos.

With all the grey and the snow......and a little bit of orange from the life boats!

A lot of knitting was done this day - oh, did I say knitting????

Crossing the Arctic Circle

2011-11-27T12:42:00.001-05:00

On day 4 we were going to cross into the Arctic Circle.

Crossing the Arctic Circle is a big deal - even on this ship that does it every week!

Did you know that there is a globe on the island of Vikingen that serves as a marker? Well, that's what we were told, so I knew it but wasn't going to get up that early to see it go by! (I know, I should be ashamed of myself.)

On board there was a competition to predict exactly when the Nordnorge would cross the circle......hour, minute and seconds. Everyone put in their guess.

This was a day of spectacular scenery - island and skerries, rock formations, isolated cabins......and then the Baptism for those of us crossing the Arctic Circle for the first time!

Spectacular sunrise.

Isolated villages.

Everywhere you look!

See the strange fellow on the right - that's King Neptune - called from the ocean deep
for the Baptisms.

Then it was time for the Baptism - a ladle full of ice cold water - yes, with ice cubes - down the back - they make sure it gets under your clothing....

Yes, I did get Baptised - unfortunately Alan wasn't quick enough with the camera!

This is Lynn, the Arena Travel tour director - getting special treatment!

This is another Alan on the tour getting Baptised
- my Alan, well, he wasn't going for it! LOL!

After getting rid of the ice cubes (seriously) and drying off,
there was still plenty of spectacular scenery to see before it got too dark.

Trondheim

2011-11-27T12:21:00.001-05:00

As Norway's first capital, Trondheim was given special treatment on this trip - Arena had arranged a bus tour - we did have to get up pretty early in the dark to catch the bus and although some of us were grumbling - it was worth it!

Up up up we went to get a panoramic view of the city
- still with all it's lights on!

Same vantage point about a half hour later - looking more to the left.

After a tour of the city, we stopped at the gothic cathedral Nidaros where a private guided tour had been arranged for us. Spectacular!

After Nidaros, we had some free time - so of course we were looking
for a yarn shop that had been spotted during the bus tour!
Here's Debbie and Jenece (who was our Australian knitter).

Back to the Nordnorge in plenty of time - these ships
wait for nobody - you had better get there on time
or it will be a costly cab fare to catch up at the next port of call!

Next - Crossing the Arctic Circle!

The Nordnorge never stops for long....

2011-11-27T12:00:00.001-05:00

This is no frou frou Cruise Ship that we are on - this is a working Coastal Steamer - while travelling north it makes 34 ports of call - carries freight and passengers - day and night - never stopping for very long.

Every day there is at least one extended stop where the tourist passengers (like us) can get off, do a bit of sightseeing and of course shopping!

On day 2 we stopped in Alesund - known for it's Art Nouveau architecture - we got off for a stroll around the waterfront area. Of course a knit shop was to be found and although I didn't know exactly where it was, somehow my instincts led me there - along up and around was the directions I was given LOL!

Aha, as soon as I saw the red felted hearts on the railing - I knew we were on the right track. Look at the bricks on this street - I'm taking a photo and Hubby is saying "Did you catch the Jaguar as it went by?" - well, yes I did, but I was taking a photo of the lovely street and buildings LOL!

Although this isn't a great photo as it was taken through the glass - this is just a sample of the kind of windows we saw in the Norwegian shops. This window full of knit trolls was wonderful - all done in the traditional red/white/black shades.

With a group of Knitters and Quilters, the Husfliden shops quickly became the destination at each port we stopped in. Yarn, Fabric and stylish Norwegian craft items were available in each shop. Gorgeous felted wool blankets (I really wanted one of these but my luggage just wouldn't cope!) Some shops featured custom traditional costumes - absolutely gorgeous!

Arena Travel and Rowan partner up....

2011-11-26T17:11:00.001-05:00

We made it! at the top of Fløyen, Bergen, Norway

When I first saw that Rowan and Arena Travel were putting together tours for knitters, well, of course I was interested!

(Arena are know for their tours based on specific interests - their catch phrase is "Passionate about your passions" - they offer Quilting Holidays, Elvis Holidays, Antique & Fine Art Tours, Heritage & Literary Tours, Official Queen Events (for Queen Fans), Connoisseur Chocolate tours, Bridge Holidays and Iron Maiden Fan weekends - so of course Knitting could only be next LOL!!!)

Knitting in Tuscany, Italy - lovely - some day perhaps.
Knitting in the Shetland Isles - sold out almost instantly - a 2nd tour is now being offered....in case you missed the first one

and Northern Lights Knitting Cruise in Norway - well, just the ticket - so I booked the Hubby and I and we packed up our cold weather wardrobe and off we went! (This link takes you to the page for the 2012 tour - already on the calendar and ready to book!)

Toronto - London to catch up with the Arena tour, then London - Stavanger - Bergen - where the tour stayed overnight in a lovely hotel right on the water (the clarion Hotel Admiral, Bergen) and started our first full vacation day with a coach tour of Bergen to show us the lie of the land.....and then we were free for the afternoon.

Alan and I decided that the Fløibanen Funicular was a must and it was just a couple of blocks from our hotel - so off we went!

View on our way up!

Higher still!

At the top!

We also wanted to wander through the Hanseatic wharf
- we could see these buildings from our hotel room across the water.

Then it was back to the hotel to board the bus .... to catch the MS Nordnorge, one of the Hurtigruten Coastal Steamers that cruise the Norwegian coast all year round.

We were starting in Bergen working our way North to the Arctic Circle "Hunting the Light".

Oslo...

2011-11-26T08:44:00.001-05:00

When I first knit the design "Oslo" from the Jamieson's Shetland Knitting Book 2 way back in the days of She Ewe Knits, I knew that one day.....

I'd be wearing it in Oslo!

Please excuse the slightly stunned expression - a result of too much fun, too little sleep, and this photo was taken in the Oslo airport on our way home from Norway......so this is the end, let me go back to the beginning....

2011-11-15T14:11:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Candice for sending a link my way - this is how Wordle translates Shades of Shetland.

November, Wovember

2011-11-03T19:18:00.000-04:00

WOVEMBER.COM - where all the really "warm" people are hanging out this month!

For all of you who like to win things, there is a photography competition with a great prize sponsored by Jamieson & Smith.

Check out the Hall of Shame and Sign the Petition.

VOW TO READ THE CONTENT LABELS OF EVERYTHING YOU CHOOSE TO PURCHASE!

Wovember was the idea of Kate Davies and Felicity Ford..........check out their blogs and look for other Wovember"y" posts all over blog land.

Today I am packing up some wonderfully warm wooly stuff myself - because "Winter is Coming" - I know, you're tired of me saying that right.....but for some of us, boy, it is coming. More on this soon.

It can't be November already!

2011-11-02T15:19:00.002-04:00

The views from the escarpment edge are spectacular - looking West!

Looking South!

Lackie and Daisy......just lookin'

Put your hands up and step away from the Tosh!

2011-10-30T12:01:00.003-04:00

Madeleine Tosh that is!

You might wonder how I got into this predicament.....let me go back to the beginning....

During casual conversation at art class, I found out that my knitting friend Candice has NEVER, I repeat NEVER, been to The Needle Emporium in Ancaster - my all time favourite yarn shop - well, before the leaves were all down and the snow flies - we decided on a ROAD TRIP!

(Pulling myself together from all the excitement....)

I went because I felt it was a shame that Candice had never been, she had heard about it, but poor thing had never managed to actually get there. I was determined to show her the way, to enlighten her knitting life, AND to stick to my Yarn Diet plan....I was there to enable Candice to appreciate the beauty that is a fully stocked, totally diverse, luxury yarn shop that is The Needle Emporium! I WAS NOT going to buy anything (guffawing out loud right here).

Well, when we got there and sophisticated Candice turned into giggling Candy - yes she was like a kid in a candy store and her eyes grew larger and larger - like saucers they were - I wish I'd taken a photo but I got caught up in the excitement too!

Julie (esteemed Owner of The Needle Emporium) is so knowledgeable and what she doesn't know, she looks up on her trusty Mac laptop! We were there to look at Rowan and were pointed to the front room of the store....the Room of Rowan. Down the hall we went like two little lambs as instructed.... we glimpsed Tosh DK and Pashmina on the left - Tosh Merino and Vintage on the right - we resisted and fought our way to the Rowan Room....where we came face to face with the Tosh Merino Light display - it was like the great wall of colour - and hanging right there was the Earth & Sky shawl/wrap by Steven West - we lay down our purses as we knew that the battle was lost...(and we needed two hands to fondle the yarn).

The leaves have turned and are now falling...it's starting to get cold. You know what's next don't you? "Winter is Coming" and there is no way to avoid it! I've got so many lovely projects to keep me busy, a stash to knit from when the weather closes in...You may recall that I have declared a 2012 Yarn Diet - knit from the stash! Well, I've said it before and I'll say it again, it's only October 2011.....still 2 months to go and there is a lot of Tosh still in Ancaster!

(Can you tell I am reading Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin - well I was reading Game of Thrones....I'll save the full confession, ahem details for a another day.)

Happy Knitting!

Applöse Sheep Heid Hat

2011-10-28T16:17:00.002-04:00

Sheep Heid by Kate Davies done with Jamieson & Smith Shetland Supreme - all 9 shades!

Daisy gives it a 5 out of 5 cookie rating!

Total opposites!

2011-10-25T10:06:00.001-04:00

"What a difference a day makes".... as they say.

Last nights knitting was a case of opposites attract - what could possibly be similar between knitting and the show "Dancing with the Stars"?

Well frankly - nothing! Except I find it entertaining - and when the "stars" and their partners aren't dancing, I'm knitting - it helps to set aside a dedicated hour or two for knitting - and that's what you do - knit and watch TV, knit and listen to an audiobook, knit knit knit. That's how you make progress.

Here is a shot of the stranding side of my hat - there are some long float areas and you might want to catch the yarn being stranded - as the pattern says - just don't do your catches at the same point on each round - mix it up a bit - this is what distorts the design on the back side - but it's all good!

Like everything else in life - you have to practice your craft (s). When the weather starts to turn cooler, I start to bake - both sweet and savoury - last night with the leftover pork roast I decided to do a Yorkshire Pudding - a big one LOL!!!

An Evening with two Kates

2011-10-24T14:50:00.001-04:00

I confess, I am currently addicted to small, cute, quick projects. First there was Peerie Flooers, now Sheep Heid - both by Kate Davies - yeah Kate!

Last night (Sunday) while watching Masterpiece Mystery - the new "Case Histories" series based on the novels by another Kate - Kate Atkinson - with the hero Jackson Brodie being played by Jason Isaacs (another side of the actor who played Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter films)......looks like there are 6 episodes of this....I'm very happy as we needed some new Masterpiece Mysteries.

While watching the hunky Jason Isaacs last night I managed to cast on and get the rib done of my Sheep Heid - love these natural shades of yarn although I do have to keep referring to the ball bands to see what shade is what because of the subtle gradation of the yarns.

Kate Davies is a relatively new designer to me - a friend pointed her out a few months back and I must say I just love her work.

Kate Atkinson is also new to me....why haven't I heard of this author before? Now that I know about her....I will definitely read a book or two (laughing because when I start on a series, there is no stopping me!).

Last night was one of those perfect serendipitous moments - knitting a Kate Davies design while watching an adaptation of a Kate Atkinson book - knitting in natural shetland shades of yarn (which I adore) watching Jason Isaacs play another intriguing character (even though you might not LIKE Lucius Malfoy, he was very intriguing - at least to me LOL!), drinking tea with a piece of apple pie - heaven!

Happy Knitting!

Applöse - Peerie Flooers Accessories

2011-10-21T11:56:00.001-04:00

Peerie Flooers Hat by Kate Davies,
done in Jamieson's Shetland Spindrift yarn.

My fingerless gloves, incorporating the Peerie Flooers motif

and my Peerie Flooers colourway inspired "Inspira Cowl"

Fair Isle Fanatics

2011-10-19T11:12:00.001-04:00

I knew my Ravelry (and before that Yahoo Groups) ID would catch on eventually....

it just had to LOL!!!

Knitting Daily calling for all Fair Isle Fanatics LOL!

I have already ordered Mary Jane's book - have you?

(I have no affiliation with Interweave Press - This is in no way an endorsement for ordering this book direct from Interweave - There are many places to order it from - use your favourite book supplier!)

Sheep Heid - yarn is here!

2011-10-18T17:50:00.002-04:00

Remember this post?

Well, the yarn arrived yesterday ! and I didn't even know it. Seems that the mail delivery was later than usual and we thought we didn't get any mail.....so this poor yarn sat in our mail box over night all by itself and in the cold.

So here they are - the 9 shades of Jamieson & Smith Shetland Supreme for the Sheep Heid hat by Kate Davies. (I got the pattern printed in colour at our local Mailbox store.)

Well, not by itself.....this was in the mail yesterday too!

Redbud, by Janine Bajus (aka Feral Knitter) done in Jamieson's Shetland Spindrift.

I am almost finished my current project - there will be Applöse soon!

I've been trying out the new dynamic templates on blogger - how do you like it? Do you have a favourite display (classic, magazine, timeline?) or do you prefer the old style blogger template with my Shetland photo? Just wondering..... I feel that these new dynamic templates are really clean and crisp...but they can't be customized with all my little bits and pieces.

What do you think?

While trying to photograph the new yarn, Lackie just couldn't resist - when I asked him to move
he just looked away and ignored me - it was hilarious!
Do you think he wants a hat too?

They are everywhere! Sheep....on Shetland

2011-10-16T11:57:00.001-04:00

Shetland is surrounded.......

2011-10-15T11:23:00.006-04:00

by water of course - this is the tombolo to St. Ninian's Isle

it wears away at the rocks...

and makes interesting formations.

Shetland Flowers

2011-10-14T14:35:00.005-04:00

They grow everywhere...

You may not think of a Thistle as a flower.....but I do.

Eshaness

2011-10-12T22:57:00.000-04:00

I'm following Mary Jane Mucklestone and Kate Davies via Twitter during Shetland Wool Week - and they have both been over to Eshaness.....I loved this spot and it inspired my Eshaness Cardi.

From the South to.....

2011-10-12T11:15:00.000-04:00

Muckle Flugga - almost the farthest north you can go in Shetland...

it's a pretty dramatic trip...we actually went up and around the top,
and our skipper opened a bottle of champagne to celebrate
because it is not often that the weather cooperates.

in honour of Shetland Wool Week

2011-10-11T10:18:00.001-04:00

A Puffin - taken at Sumburgh Head the most southern point of Shetland

Shetland Images

2011-10-10T13:20:00.001-04:00

In honour of Shetland Wool Week
- a few of my favourite Shetland photos
This one taken in 2003
I believe we were taking a drive
on Mucke Roe - close to our hotel.

Thank Goodness....

2011-10-09T11:30:00.000-04:00

Yes it's Thanksgiving Weekend here in Canada. I have a lot to be thankful for....great Hubby, good health, good friends (both old and new), and the fact that I have everything that I truly need to live a happy, healthy, contented life.

But thank goodness it's only October 2011 - because even though I'm busy knitting away.....when I saw this I just had to have the pattern - and it's knit in Jamieson's Shetland Supreme - 9 shades of luscious natural shades of Shetland yarn - and well....you know.....the yarn should be here in about a week I'd think. (Yarn diet starts in 2012 remember?)

It's a gorgeous weekend and I'm spending as much time outside as I can - this morning when I discovered this new pattern - well, I bought it of course and printed it off (unfortunately I only have a black and white printer - oh dear LOL) and got out my Shetland Supreme shade card (purchased at J&S while there either with the Simply Shetland group in 2006, or when DH and I went ourselves in 2003. I just realized that this blog doesn't go back as far as my Shetland trips - so in honour of Shetland Wool Week I'll post some of my favourite Shetland photographs next week.

The J&S web site was easy to click and buy - so the yarn should be on it's way to me tomorrow Shetland time I hope and you never know when it will arrive, so I'd better hurry up and finish my current Kate Davies projects.

Is my face red?

2011-10-08T22:27:00.001-04:00

UPDATE: FOUND THE E-MAIL!

I've lost an e-mail. How embarrassing. A Shades of Shetland reader e-mailed me about set in sleeves, how you went about shaping the arm hole, etc......it was there, I saw it, I read it, and now it's gone!

Please if you're reading this and you know this was you.....e-mail me again - I am so sorry but somehow between my iphone and my mac your message disappeared......I'd like to do a blog post to completely answer your questions.

Yup, red faced......even Lackie and Daisy have turned away in shame!!!

Yarn Diet

2011-10-08T13:05:00.004-04:00

Obviously Cindi read to the end of my last blog post.....

1 comments:

Cindi Brumpton said...

What it help your "diet" if u were to think of your stash as a shop and when u need to shop for wool, u just go through your stash?

Saturday, October 08, 2011 9:48:00 AM

OK, I said it....Yarn Diet.

Yup, for 2012 I am going to try going on a yarn diet......shop the stash as Cindi says.....it's not like I don't have enough in my stash to last for a while (er years).

My kind of knitter Cindi is!
She looks so happy here - photo
taken at Beckside Yarns.

I met Cindy on the Scotland, England Wool Trip in September - she lives in Peterborough and she writes a blog called Purl One.

She also publishes an on-line magazine called "Purl Peterborough" which celebrates the diversity of our knitting community in the Peterborough area. Although the focus is on Peterborough, Cindi branches out - for example the current edition of Purl Peterborough has a great article on Iceland right now - how it is surviving not only the world-wide financial crisis, but it's own crisis with their volcanos erupting. It is a great read and led me to a new blog which I'd like to follow.

It's the blog of Harpa Jónsdóttir

I cut and paste her name to get the proper accents. She is a multi-crafter so her blog is very diverse. My taste is blogs is always changing - I add and delete from my bloglines regularly. How about you? Do you find you follow the same blogs forever - or do you switch it up every once in a while.

This blog will be switching it up too. I have taken up water colour painting.....well, I've taken up water colour painting classes - I'm not sure how long this will last, but it is already making me look at my yarn shades differently. Interesting how one interest compliments the other. More on this later.

Shameless Shopping....

2011-10-03T15:09:00.001-04:00

I couldn't help myself.......

In Edinburgh I picked the yarn for Kate Davies "Peerie Flooers" hat....the original shades

Lovely shades of lovely yarn - I haven't knit
with it yet, but Candice did her Peerie Flooers hat
in this yarn which seemed almost string like to knit with
but when washed - the yarn bloomed and is lovely and soft!

I love this hat!

Even though I've done my own version of this hat with Jamieson's Shetland Spindrift - I do hope to one day make it again using the yarn and shades called for in the design. I'm totally in love with this simple stranded motif, done in only 7 shades - that well, I think I'll take inspiration from it for something else (coming soon).

Kim Hargreaves' new book also came home with me from Edinburgh.

There is one design in this book
that I must knit!

At the Rowan Mill in Holmfirth, we weren't able to buy yarn as it is all stored and distributed from a warehouse somewhere in Germany.....but we could buy books.....

Rowan Studio 24

While at the Heriot-Watt University, we took a course on Spindle Spinning led by Janet Renouf-Miller - she leads courses in spinning, dyeing, knitting and crochet, as well as completing her own fibre-based items for sale in galleries and exhibitions. Her web site is "Create with Fibre".

Janet had brought along with her some of her own hand spun, hand dyed yarns....and I couldn't resist bring this little beauty home with me...

It has these lovely locks of fleece hanging from it here and there.

I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to do with it....I guess the first thing is to figure out what yardage I have and go from there.

It's a small world.....Janet lives in the small town/village in Scotland that my Dad came from! She is an amazing woman - in addition to her fibre web site Create With Fibre she also blogs at the Create with Fibre blog AND she also blogs about her life strategy, about living life to the full at her other blog.... "diary of a downshifter" all about living life simply.

Now that both Hubby and I are retired....we have both come to realize that during our working life we acquired things....lots of things.....he his things, me my things.....all related to our hobbies and interests...and honestly I don't think we could use up all our "things" in our lifetime! Reading Janet's blog has confirmed an idea I've been thinking about for a while - it's not a new idea - lots of knitters out there have done this already.

I am going on a yarn diet in 2012. I have to think about this a bit.....

Down to the knitty gritty......yarn shops!

2011-09-25T07:00:00.000-04:00

Wool shops visited while on the Wool, the Fabric of Life tour.....

In Edinburgh, after our city tour with a rather annoying tour guide (I wanted to ask him if he had a burr up his kilt LOL) - we had some free time and headed for K1 Yarns Knitting Boutique, a lovely little shop on West Bow street in the "old town".

Here is Candice making a yarn purchase
- these two are obviously having too good a time talking yarn!

I loved the decor of this shop.

and really liked how they displayed their selection
of Jamieson's Shetland Spindrift - my favourite yarn!

Then we went up to Princess Street and popped in to John Lewis to visit the yarn department there!

Lots of Rowan to love here - I saw a pattern emerging....
This is where Candice and I did some yarn shopping - we
both bought the original Rowan Fine Tweed yarn
for the Peerie Flooers hat.

Beckside Yarns & Needlecrafts
in Clapham, Yorkshire

Gorgeous little village - with a raging river running through it when we were there! (It had been raining and the already saturated ground didn't catch much of it, so the rivers were flowing and the fields were flooding.)

Unfortunately the shop is hidden by our tour bus!

I LOVED THIS SHOP!
I may have to make it my official not so local, local yarn shop LOL!

The shop is in a stone building - with a mezzanine floor above where the Rowan yarns were....
this photo is taken from up there!

While in York we visited Ramshambles and Poppy's - but I didn't take photos for some reason!!?!??

So not a lot of yarn acquisition on this trip for me.....a Rowan Studio 24 at Rowan, some Rowan Fine Tweed in Edinburgh, a cashmere sweater......er, yes, a cashmere sweater...and a few other bits and bobs came home with me to Canada.

Just follow me....

2011-09-24T11:30:00.001-04:00

I know it's around here somewhere....

Not in here.....

Found it! The Wool Modern Exhibit in conjunction with
the Campaign for Wool - UK Wool Week!

Black and White were popular...

I checked our Vivienne Westwood's contribution - (the navy black and grey coat)
I was expecting something more radical....like this...

Candice and Terry made friends with this guy....

While Carolyn chatted with this guy.

and upstairs, branches wrapped in wool,
turned colour as they absorbed dye
from the pots they were standing in.

If you'd like to see more photos of the Wool Modern exhibit, as posted to the Campaign for Wool Facebook page.

I never get tired of...

2011-09-23T18:16:00.001-04:00

Visiting London. If you are a long-time reader of Shades of Shetland, you'll know that I am developing a strong affection for London - this is the third year in a row that I have been in London on this exact same weekend. The two previous trips were prompted by Alice Starmore attending the IKnit weekends.

The Eucalan tour was supposed to end with the IKnit weekend event....but it was cancelled.

The group did a bus tour of London for a couple of hours in the morning, ending at the Tower of London, and then they did a few drop offs for groups of us that had plans for the afternoon.

We tried to get to Buckingham palace for the Changing of the Guards,
but due to traffic difficulties, we got there just a few minutes late.
If you are interested in the British Royal Family -
they have their own web site with everything you always
wanted to know about the British Monarchy.

The bus tour stopped at the Tower of London
for a restroom break...

We found the most amazing little cafe tucked away near the Tower,
for tea and I think everyone got a piece of cake - I know I did!

Before we left.....we decided on what we wanted to do
in our limited free time in London.
I had suggested the London Eye - everyone thought it was a great idea!
I don't think they realized how HUGE this thing is.....
this is our first glimpse - that's Big Ben on the other side of the river.

The Palace of Westminster - with Big Ben -
more commonly known at the House of Parliament
(view from the Eye)

What an amazing view!

I think we all enjoyed it!

Toft Manor....

2011-09-22T21:50:00.003-04:00

Alpaca Farm and Shop

up the drive...

past the ferocious guard dogs...

around the front (with a fabulous lake view)

to the Mom and Babies paddock....all together....

aaaaaawwwwwwww............

I took about a dozen photos of these two - who were tied up like a pretzel.
Obviously they were young and in love!

We were given an overview of how Toft Farm works,
and we had a lovely cream tea while we were there.
Candice made a new friend.

There was a shop - that was swarmed by everyone on the tour - there were a few things left when we were done....but not much.

Toft are planning their first knitting pattern book.......the TOFT Pattern Book 1 which you can order......
and while visiting their web site I found this lookbook of their designs.....not sure if these are the designs in the pattern book though as a lot of these we saw in the shop - but gorgeous to look at nonetheless!

Then it was the long drive to London.....where we had dinner at the Strand Hotel before arriving at our hotel - the Millenium, Knightsbridge.

On our way to London Town....

2011-09-22T10:38:00.002-04:00

We stopped to tour Chatsworth House.....

Like everything else in the UK (it seems) Chatsworth House is undergoing a renovation - in this case they are cleaning the stonework - so a big portion of the house was covered over......but unlike a lot of places, they allowed (and encouraged) photographs - and everywhere you looked there was something totally gorgeous or outrageous to photograph!

Walking up the drive with our guide.

From the entrance staircase....

to the frames of the mirrors....

the chandelier.....

and even some windows......were gilded.

Turns out the windows on this side of the house are gilded to catch the morning sun - go figure!

This is just a small sample of the photos I took in Chatsworth - what a place - totally modern art mixed in with ancient tapestries......from the sublime to the ridiculous.....with an outdoor cafe and a restaurant pavilion - these guys know how to market themselves! The parking lot was huge - and it was obvious that this was a day out destination for locals who arrived with their dogs for a wander in the 105 acres of garden. You can stay at a nearby hotel or rent a holiday cottage on the estate - they have it all! Despite all the totally in your face marketing of this place, I would go back again because our short visit just wasn't enough!

Talk about a contrast....our next stop was....

Rowan - sigh....Warning - photo intense!

2011-09-21T17:37:00.002-04:00

After some GPS twists and turns -
one which took us down a tiny lane and our huge bus had to back up.....
we arrived......Rowan - be still my heart.

Sharon Brant came down to say hello to Carolyn.....
(L-R - Carolyn, Sharon, moi and Candice)

Here's Terry in her "Shetland Woman" Jacket
from Rowan Magazine 46 (designed my Marie Wallin)
Terry chose to change the
shade used for the ribbing and it looks lovely!

Marie Wallin told us about the process of putting together
a Rowan Magazine - from design submission,
photo shoot, pattern writing thru proofing.
Marie handles all of this for the Rowan publications.

Emma Knight and Jemma Weston were our instructors for the day.
Our assignment was to knit either the Heart or Union Jack
pocket as shown. We were given 3 shades
of the British Sheep Breeds dk weight yarn, needles and our instruction.
Emma gave us some great tips - including how to make a little bobbin of yarn to make intarsia
knitting easier - and Jemma worked the room helping us individually.

We got a first-hand look at the new variegated Kidsilk Haze - Carolyn
and I both picked up a ball at the "Up Country" yarn shop in Holmfirth.

There was knitting inspiration all around - ideas for your home....

I had a good look at this cardigan - as I think it
might be a project for this winter.
This is "Kind" from Rowan Magazine 50
designed by Marie Wallin in Lima
(I have a small stash of Lima looking for a project!)

There was a wall of Rowan Fabrics

and they had been used throughout the room.

There was a back door from the workshop room - you could step out for a breath of fresh air....

and take in the view!

If you are a Rowan International Member - check out this bag pattern, and other great Wool Week patterns available for free on the KnitRowan.com web site!

York and Harrogate.....

2011-09-18T18:02:00.000-04:00

The original Betty's is in Harrogate.....and there is one in York
I have been trying to get into Betty's for years....there is always a line up...
so on our walking tour of York - there was Betty's and there was no line up!
Candice and I abandoned the walking tour and went to Betty's instead!

We checked out the York City wall

in the afternoon we returned to Harrogate for some serious shopping
- we saw references to the UK Wool Week everywhere!

We did some wool fondling ourselves....Cashmere at Hawick of Scotland

at their Harrogate shop.......heaven!

Heading south to Harrogate...

2011-09-17T07:00:00.000-04:00

Visiting Chesters Roman Fort and Museum along the way

and arriving in Harrogate with plenty of time to visit the first "British Wool Weekend" where I spent some time at the Shetland Sheep Association booth
and met Cluny Chapman of Highfield Textiles.

and where I tried my hand knitting on Ingrid Wagner's giant knitting
needles - donate a pound to Breakthrough Breast Cancer and you get a go -
she made it into the Guiness Book of Records in 2010 with these
enormous needles!

A Day at Heriot-Watt University

2011-09-16T07:00:00.000-04:00

We spent a day at the Heriot-Watt University which offers a "Textiles and Design" course...

where we tried our hand at spinning on a drop spindle...

and dressed up as mad scientists to dye fleece.

Although I thoroughly enjoyed today - I can now categorically say that I will never be a drop spindle spinner. (I reserved the right to try a wheel some day before crossing that off too!)

And dying - well, it's not my thing either.

I guess I like to order my yarn like you order Chinese food....
3 from column 1, 6 from column 2, 4 from column 3
(think of the 9 columns of shades on the Jamieson's shade card)

Border Country....

2011-09-15T07:00:00.000-04:00

Bobby Dalziel - Champion Sheepdog Trainer......gave us an exhibition of working with his dogs herding sheep...after a long run out and a wide sweep, the flock of sheep were near the pen...then safely inside.

Great team work!

Scotland....

2011-09-14T07:00:00.000-04:00

Oops, somehow this didn't get posted - and it's way back at the beginning of our tour.....sorry about that!

We stepped off the plane and were taken on a cruise of Loch Lomond...

Here's the gang - from right to left - Carolyn, Candice, Terry and me!

During the next 3 days, while staying in Peebles, we toured a bit in Scotland...

Melrose Abbey

Sir Walter Scott's home....Abbotsford House, Melrose Scotland

We toured Edinburgh by bus....then on foot

The Holyrood Abbey with Arthur's Seat in the background

Spectacular!

I tried out the Guard House! Then ......

at the other end of the Royal Mile.....Edinburgh Castle

Where we stayed....

2011-09-13T07:00:00.000-04:00

We stayed in Peebles, just south of Edinburgh in the Scottish Borders, for 4 nights - lovely little village/town - at "The Tontine" hotel with a pub with free wifi right across the street! The hotel was full of cyclists as there was a big race starting on the Sunday - the day we left!

Then we moved to "The Old Swan" in Harrogate. This is the hotel that Agatha Christie stayed at when she disappeared.

Here's Terry in front of "The Old Swan"

When in London - we stayed at "The Millenium" on Sloane street, right in the heart of Kightsbridge - just around the corner from Harrods. Sloane Street is full of very expensive shops - this is where the term "Sloane Ranger" comes from - where the elite young Londoner shops.

Peerie Flooers

2011-09-12T14:43:00.001-04:00

August 30 - I've just dropped the dogs off at the kennel and I'm home - furiously packing (Lackie and Daisy have figured out what a suitcase means - so I try to avoid any extra stress and drop them off first before bringing out my case).

I decided to check the computer, saw an update from the Kate Davies blog Needled, clicked thru, and found this.

What an adorable hat - love the colours used - and she said it could also be done in Shetland fingering weight. As I have a little bit of fingering weight (Jamieson's Shetland Spindrift) lying around, I decided to put together a little yarn pack for my trip......quickly purchased and printed out the pattern, located a 3.5mm circular needle (long enough to do magic loop as the hat circumference got smaller) and picked out some shades from my leftover drawers.....

I knit this while on the Eucalan "Wool, the Fabric of Life" tour.......and literally cast off the top stitches on the bus to Heathrow for the return flight!

While in Edinburgh, Candice and I both purchased the original shades in the Rowan Fine Tweed yarn that Kate used in this hat - and I'll be making another one - this fits fine but I'll adjust the next one to be my favourite oversized tam shape.

A couple of knitters on the tour are already blogging about their adventures.......

Geri is blogging already at "Not Just About Knitting"

and I think Cynthia will be blogging soon at "PurlOne"

Of course, I'll be reporting on the tour also - I'm just organizing my 460 photos!!!

Hibiscus Cardi updates....

2011-08-16T22:02:00.001-04:00

Hi Anne: You don't know me, but I love your patterns. At the beginning of the year, I tackled your Fair Isle Hibiscus, and I love it. I completed it for a dog show in Alaska in March. I show Cairn Terriers, and I was working hard to make sure that my baby girl, Ivy, would finish her championship with me in your sweater. It worked -- I'm wearing the sweater in Ivy's championship photo!

Then I entered it in our local County Fair (this week), and it took Best in Show of the handknitted adult sweaters. Wow! I'm so proud and wanted to thank you for the lovely pattern and the lovely challenge. It was my firs attempt at steeks!!

Have a great day!

Heidi

http://heidishandmadehappiness.blogspot.com/

Then, from LiisaB via Ravelry....

Wanted you to know that your lovely Hibiscus Cardigan pattern earned me a Grand Champion AND a Best of Show Ribbon at the Montgomery County Fair this weekend. The judges were gobsmacked and immed. came to Rav to find out how to get the pattern. Thanks for making such a lovely piece.

Thank you to Heidi and Liisa for taking the time to drop me a line. I do appreciate hearing that you enjoyed knitting this design - and I must say that your sweaters look absolutely gorgeous - great job ladies!

Sincerely,

Anne

Scottish designer - Rachel Antonio

2011-08-10T11:20:00.001-04:00

While visiting Blogland this morning - I checked in on Hjaltland Halo the official blog of Jamieson and Smith in Shetland (yes, the OTHER Shetland yarn company - long time readers will know that I am a Jamieson's Spinning fan - but you know you really have to stand up and clap for what J&S are doing these days - their web site - their blog - their promotion of designers - come on Jamieson's - get with the program! - oops, sorry about the rant!)

So Hjaltland Halo led me to Rachel Antonio's blog.....young Scottish designer, using traditional fabrics and fibre in an absolutely breathtaking way - Enjoy!

An amazing technicolour sheep coat!

2011-08-08T20:07:00.000-04:00

Check out this technicolour sheep - I think I have to go to this LOL!

Yoga Today

2011-08-06T09:37:00.002-04:00

Trying to do a class - I set up my relaxing space, then the neighbour starts up his lawn tractor and the hubby let's the dogs out - oh well, there's always tomorrow.

Edited to say....."Toga Today" LOL - I didn't see that typo until today!!!

Whew...

2011-08-03T20:52:00.000-04:00

These addi clicks came in handy. I put the stitches I needed to re-knit on a separate cable, transferred the tips to this cable and worked back up....then put them back on the first cable and transferred the tips back and away we go! Whew....

Oh oh... Dropped a stitch!

2011-08-03T19:56:00.000-04:00

Way back....frogged down 17 stitches...

Lackie makes himself comfortable

2011-08-03T11:48:00.000-04:00

I like to sit out on the deck early before it gets hot - it's sometimes actually cool enough for a sweater - like this morning. But when it starts to heat up the sweater comes off - then someone else gets to 'wear' it so to speak. Never one to miss an opportunity my Lackie!

Tabard (say it with a French accent) LOL!

2011-08-02T13:07:00.002-04:00

Everything you wanted to know about the "Tabard" just click through to Dictionary.com

So I guess this IS a Tabard!!!

I wanted to show you the pockets - and a video seemed to be better than photos - so I thought I'd do this video with my I-phone - sorry for the shakes - but it's hard to hold the phone, video, talk and demonstrate at the same time LOL!

and the ultimate proof....

2011-08-01T09:21:00.001-04:00

Hogwarts - with a magical spell so that this is what Muggles see.

Insert tongue firmly in cheek....

2011-07-30T16:44:00.001-04:00

Leadenhall Market really is Diagon Alley

Where else would they decorate with Dragons?

Lloyds of London is....
Gringotts of course!

Seen from above.....it becomes obvious
that this is......

And while Kings Cross Station is under construction, they had to move Platform 9-3/4.
I'm sure that this is it!
Why else have a staircase in the middle of a railroad platform (Glasgow Central Station).

the Ministry of Magic!

Yes, I have seen The Deathly Hallows Part 2 - Twice! I am frankly a little depressed that it is all over!

But, thank you to J.K.Rowling we can look forward to.......Pottermore - coming in October!

It looks pretty fabulous!

Knitting content coming soon!

Every year, about this time

2011-07-29T19:35:00.001-04:00

Hibiscus July 2011, originally uploaded by fairislefanatic.

My Hibiscus starts blooming....and this year is no different.

This was the plant that inspired my Hibiscus Cardigan.

I need to tweak...

2011-07-21T10:23:00.001-04:00

Recently, I upgraded to Flickr Pro - and in doing so somehow lost a lot of the photos that I'd uploaded to Flickr to use here on my blog......so, I'm going back and doing some tweaking to add back photos that have disappeared into Flickr heaven somehow.

I am sorry if this brings up a lot of "new" posts from Shades of Shetland....but I used this blog as my personal diary to remember what I was doing, thinking, knitting at the time.....and it's important to me that the photos are all there and intact.

It's summer here....it's hot hot hot....and I've got some knitting I'd like to complete....so I've decided to put on "hold" the FI 101 posts for now. I'll continues FI101 in the Fall, probably October - but if you have any questions in the meantime - feel free to contact me.

Happy Knitting!

It's so darn hot....

2011-07-20T10:43:00.003-04:00

That feels better!

I do stray off the path sometimes....

2011-07-18T11:27:00.002-04:00

The path of Shetland yarn or Rowan that is......

Pattern: Asymmetric Cable Wrap
by: Adirondack Yarns
Knit it: Cascade Yarns Baby Alpaca Chunky

This is a belated Applöse post - I actually finished this in a two week period - while playing around with other things. I purchased this kit at the Ontario Fibre Fest Week back in May - not realizing that the kit contained Cascade yarn - you know what a yarn snob I am LOL!!!

I was delighted with the yarn - it's soft and wonderful to knit with - and knitting with chunky yarn was a nice change from my usual fine gauge knitting!

Photo credit: the hubby of course!

Celebrities who knit!

2011-07-18T08:47:00.003-04:00

Thanks to Heather - I found this through her blog.

Fabulous show!

2011-07-16T21:11:00.000-04:00

Guess where I am?

2011-07-16T13:47:00.001-04:00

Just what is a steek?

2011-07-14T20:58:00.008-04:00

A steek, in knitting terms, is a group of extra stitches that are added in areas where you'd like to be able to go back and cut open - like cardigan fronts, armhole openings, even neckline shaping.

If you are a sewer, they are sort of like seam allowances.

You can see on this piece of knitting
the centre front steek to make it a cardigan,
and the steeks at the armhole openings.
(This is another of my abandoned designs LOL!)

A "steek" is usually 8-10 stitche s - I like 10. Knitting in the round, stitches 1through 10 - right to left - with stitches 1 and 10 being the "edge" stitches - these stitches are adjacent to the body of your knitting and are knit in the background shade of the row.

Stitches 2 thru 9 are the extra stitches that are there to protect the body of your knitting.

This shows the inside of my Hibiscus Cardigan - you'll see all of the ends hanging down
the centre front - yarns were started and stopped in the centre of the steek stitches.
To see this steek being cut open - go to my video page and click on the Hibiscus steek video.

So when knitting "the steek" - the round starts and ends in the middle of the steek - so when knitting say a cardigan in the round, all of those pesky ends of yarn are just hanging there in the middle of the steek - no weaving in because the steek will be cut open eventually.

If you are knitting a pullover, and you've finished the body in the round up to the underarms - a stitch, or stitches at each underarm are cast off (or placed on a holder) and steek stitches are cast on to allow you to continue knitting up to the shoulder line.

So if you'd like to try a steek swatch like this one......you'll need two shades of yarn - 100% wool (not superwash) to get the full steek experience!

This chart is 52 stitches wide - and you could knit it as a practice steek swatch.

The greyed blocks are the edge stitches of the steek - always knit in the background. The steek stitches between these edge stitches are knit alternating the background and pattern shades. You'll notice that the stitches 5 and 6 are knit in the same shade - this gives you a nice neat line of stitches to cut open later.

To knit this swatch - cast on 52 stitches in your background shade. Reading the chart from the right to the left, knit every row (to simulate knitting in the round) - breaking off the yarn at the end of each row. Knit the first and last stitch of each row of knitting with both shades of yarn - this will keep the edges tidy.

When you have finished all 41 rows of the chart - cast off with the background shade.

Wash and dry your swatch. (Isn't it pretty?)

Now - IF you have used 100% wool yarn - you can just cut right up between stitches 5 and 6 of the steek and the stitches won't go anywhere - the cut stitches will get a bit wobbly looking, but they will be fine!

If this was a sweater - and you can practice this on your steek swatch - you'd pick up stitches for say a cardigan band between the last body stitch and the steek edge stitch. A swatch is a great way to try these techniques that may be new to your knitting repertoire.

Applöse - My Caller Herrin'

2011-07-13T11:26:00.001-04:00

From the back - see the little i-cord knot?

It was hot today - but I felt I needed some scottish wool around me -
so I draped one of my tartan scarves around my shoulders.

Pattern: Caller Herrin' by Kate Davies (Read about her design inspiration - at Needled, her blog. )

Yarn: Virtual Yarns Hebridean - original shades as per pattern

Modifications:

One full repeat of the motif on the round (as suggested in the pattern) with additional increase stitches (as per the pattern) with an additional 6 rounds added to the main body of the hat before starting the decreases for the top.

I also did a little I-cord celtic knot (rather than the loop as suggested by the pattern).

I did NOT do the lining on the corrugated rib or the I-cord edging - I may still go back and do this after I've done a little research with the other knitters on Ravelry that have done this hat. I'm worried that it would make the rib too tight for me.

It is suggested that if you want to make this more of a tam shape - to block it on a 10" plate.....well, I went bigger than that and used a 14" pizza pan LOL!!! I think it is a bit oversized - but when it's washed again, it will tighten up a bit, but still be big enough for what I envisioned.

A big thank you to the hubby for taking these photos!

Blocking

2011-07-12T16:02:00.001-04:00

My Caller Herrin' will be a tam - washed in Eucalan and blocking right now.

Almost done.....

2011-07-12T15:27:00.001-04:00

I'm at the very top of the hat - it's finished off with an i-cord loop.
I love this mobile blogging - quick and easy - sort of like tweeting with photos.

A better view.....

2011-07-12T14:46:00.001-04:00

Of magic loop...ing

Magic Loop

2011-07-12T14:36:00.001-04:00

I used to do "the" magic loop method before I knew it was "magic"......very useful when you're at the top of a hat

Knit Advisors

2011-07-12T14:01:00.001-04:00

While out on the deck this morning - trying to get some outside knitting time before it got too hot - I had some supervisors.

Please excuse this blog interruption......

2011-07-11T15:50:00.002-04:00

While I persuse (devour) the Rowan Magazine 50 Limited Edition

New Favourite Blog....

2011-07-05T16:13:00.000-04:00

While doing a big of Ravelry research on Caller Herrin.......looking at all of the projects, reading notes (I wish more knitters put more notes in their project details).......I came across this blog......

It's now on my bloglines list.

My swatch is done - it has been washed in Eucalan and is drying right now - I will measure it and go from there.

Starting a project......

2011-07-05T12:59:00.011-04:00

This post got buried in my post list as a draft - it should have announced the start of my Caller Herrin' knit - and here it is July 12 - a bit late as I am ready for the Applöse post!

Stranded (fair isle) projects usually use many shades of yarn. One of the subtlties of "fair isle" knitting is the multitude of shades available in the traditional yarns.

So, the first thing to do when starting a multi-coloured project is to wind the yarns (if they come in skeins) and to make yourself some kind of shade legend - make it easy for you to see which shade is which.

So I'm ready to start Caller Herrin' - in this case the yarn used in Alice Starmore's Hebridean yarn. This yarn comes in 35 luscious shades - and you'd think that with "only" 35 shades it would be easy to tell them apart - but these yarns are gorgeous heathered yarns - and the shades used in Caller Herrin' are similar....so to make it easy for me, I took lengths of yarn and threaded them through the hole on the shade tag. I'll keep these for future reference - and I'll always know which shade is which.

I've wound the skeins into balls and I'm ready to swatch.

This pattern calls for a gauge of 7 stitches to the inch on 3.25 mm needles. (I get 8 sts to the inch on 3.25 with the Jamieson's yarns which I think are a little thinner. Yup - 2 ply Hebridean is 85m per 25g while Jamieson's Shetland Spindrift is 105m per 25g.)

So I'll be swatching on 3.25mm needles to see what I get. As I mentioned previously - this seems to be a small hat....so I'll be making adjustments. '

Suggestions....

2011-07-04T19:25:00.001-04:00

For first time fair isle (stranded) projects - hats are great - circular knitting going round and round.....so here are a few suggestions.......

Freebies:

Fair Isle Tam in Patons Classic Wool - from the Patons site

Winter Forest Tam - knit in traditional Jamieson's Shetland Spindrift - gorgeous traditional tam - a Ravelry download

Béret généreux by Isabelle Allard - a tam in worsted weight - a Ravelry download

Nordic Sweetheart Hat

If you want a lot of practice- try my Nordic Sweetheart Hat - done in Jamieson's Shetland Spindrift - or fingering weight - this is a double layered hat - that when folded up provide 4 layers over your ears - a traditional Norwegian design.

If you are on Ravelry (why not, it's free) you can do a pattern search for a hat, stranded, knit in the round and look at all of the choices -- I would suggest something with small repeat patterns - not something that has bigger motifs (like skulls or other alien beings LOL!) because you want to learn how to strand with this exercise.

Traditional Fair Isle uses motifs that use small groups of stitches - so that you never have a long stretch of one shade being used - so you don't have to catch floats. For this exercise - pick a pattern that you can just knit....no long floats. (We'll cover catching in yarns on long floats later - for now - more practice!)

There are lots of good patterns to buy too.........so I'm going to knit .....

Caller Herrin by Kate Davies - available thru Ravelry or at Kate's blog Needled. A friend (Hi Candice) knit this and thought it was a bit small....so I'll be checking it out and maybe making some amendments to the original pattern as I go.

Caller Herrin is knit with Alice Starmore's Hebridean Yarn - which I have right here ready to go - and I'll just have to wind some yarn tonight! It's great to finally get around to knitting one of those kits that I made up with my pdf's earlier this year. (OOPS, I have one little project to finish up tonight - and if I wind the yarn I'll be ready to go tomorrow.)

Pick a pattern - join me in knitting a stranded hat.

Does it really matter?

2011-07-03T12:28:00.002-04:00

When doing two handed stranded knitting, does it really matter what yarn you carry in which hand?

Well....you decide.

Your practice knitting - when holding yarns in both hands - knit with the yarn from your right hand - then when you knit with the yarn in your left hand it automatically comes from underneath - and when you knit stranded (aka fair isle) you knit along like that, never twisting......so all you have to do is decide which stitches on your chart you are going to knit with the right (top) yarn.....or the left (bottom) yarn.

Some knitters decide round by round - knitting the shade that is most used in the round with their dominant hand. This means that they will be changing the position (top or bottom) of the yarns depending on the motif.

What I'd like to demonstrate here is that it is your choice - but you must be aware of the position of your yarns and maintain that position throughout your project.

For these two swatches, I used Jamieson's Shetland Heather in Charcoal and North Sea on a 5mm circular needle. I knit across, broke the yarns, and pulled my knitting back on the circular needle so that I was always knitting.......it is important to do a swatch for circular knitting in this way.....some of us create a different gauge when purling - so if you are going to do your project in the round, your swatch must be in the round.

These swatches have been washed and lightly steam pressed - and of course the "fringe" has been trimmed to make them tidier. When doing a two colour swatch like this, I knit the first and last stitch with both shades - it neatens things up a bit.

Swatch 1 - knit stitches alternating from one shade to the other.

The bottom half is knit with the Charcoal in my right (top) position and the Light blue in my left (bottom) position.

The top half is knit with the Light blue in my right (top) position and the charcoal in my left (bottom) position.

The gauge on both halves of this swatch measure 5 stitches and 5 rows to the inch.

To me - the light blue stitches on the bottom half look taller - and in the top half look wider. Same thing with the Charcoal - they look wider on the bottom half and taller on the top half.

When you look at the back side of this swatch - you can see the dramatic difference.

Does any of this matter?

Swatch #2 - same yarn position as the first swatch - but now I'm knitting a traditional diagonal stranded motif.

Do you see how the bottom motif is more predominant? How it is more defined than the motif on the top half? Background shade in your right hand (top position) and pattern shade in your left hand (bottom position).

And you can see the difference more clearly on the back here too.

Can you see how changing the yarn "position" - from right (top) to left (bottom) in the middle of a project may cause a problem - your knitting will look almost like it has a shade on it - or is faded perhaps - but it could just be a case of mixing up which yarn you knit with which hand.

All of the knitters that I've taught have had this same phenomena happen in their knitting - it would be a great exercise for you to do for yourself - sometimes it's great to see it in person - to be able to hold it and inspect it closely. If you do decide to try this for yourself - let me know what your results are.

Poll Results

2011-07-01T15:24:00.000-04:00

Cones of yarns at the
Jamieson's Spinning Mill
in Shetland

As a "Fair Isle" Knitter - I consider myself to be....

Experienced - I know it all! - 3 (7%)

Intermediate - I do knit fair isle - but I'd love some tips to refine my technique - 30 (76%)

Beginner - I've never tried or have tried and gave up - 6 (15%)

Thank you to all of you who responded.

Next subject - which hand hold which yarn - does it matter?

What do you think - comments welcome!

FI101 - Charts

2011-06-29T08:00:00.001-04:00

Charts for colour knitting come in many forms - look at the fair isle charts you have on hand.

When knitting Fair Isle, charts are read right to left, bottom to top. They may have the stitch numbers and row numbers running along the bottom and up the side of the chart.

Here is the same simple chart - presented in 3 different formats.

Some charts are done in full colour -
it's easy to visualize the design, but I find that
sometimes it's hard to decide exactly which yarn
is to be used where - especially if the design
uses many shades of one colour.

Some charts use symbols for each shade used.

Usually darker emblems are used for pattern stitches,

and lighter symbols are used for background stitch (or vice versa!)

(If you are having trouble visualizing the pattern in a

chart like this - squint at it, or look at it from the side, and

the pattern will sometimes jump out at you!)

These charts come with a Legend showing which

symbol refers to which yarn shade.

This is actually the most common form of Fair Isle chart - and if

it is a complicated design, it can be intimidating at first

- but you can enlarge it to make it easier to read.....

or convert it to pure black and white.

A pure black and white chart is the easiest to read.
Books of motifs for stranded/Fair Isle knitting are usually
in black and white - because they are presented for you
to do your own colour choices.

If a chart like this is used in a pattern - it will have notations
as to which shade of yarn to use on which rows.

How's it going?

2011-06-28T12:56:00.003-04:00

This is an American Girl doll dress
that I knit for a friend's daughter
and I'll use it as a basis for
the sample size designs for
practice knitting.

Those of you who are practicing with their opposite hand - how's it going?

So now that your other hand is becoming more comfortable with knitting too.....we can proceed to knitting with two shades of yarn at the same time - stranded knitting.

You have two hands - and two shades of yarn - hold one yarn in each hand - now knit one stitch with your right hand - one with your left - carry on knitting like this until it feels good.

Then 2 stitches with the right and 2 with the left.....

Then 3 with the right and 3 with the left....

etc - up to 5 or 6 stitches with each hand.

You knit always keeping the yarns separate - never twisting - the yarn in your right hand knits running along the top - the yarn in your left hand always comes from underneath - pops up to knit - then drops back down while the right hand knits.

As you add stitches to your repeat - you'll have to watch the stranding of your yarn that is not being used across the back of your work - not too tight and not too loose - you want it to be just right!

Remember that we are still practicing......relax, make sure your shoulders are down, that you are breathing - just stop and relax before you pick up your needles again.

Is anyone finding that their "other" hand just isn't getting it?

Future FI 101 topics of discussion -

Yarn Dominance
Charts - how to read them
Suggestions for stranded projects for "first" projects - hats etc.
Steeking
A sample size drop sleeve pullover (for the beginners) using steeks for the armhole openings
A sample size cardigan with underarm shaping and set in sleeves.

Any suggestions for additional topics are welcome.