That's My Boy!

The Daughter I'll never have:

Pattern: Hallowig by Megan Reardon
Yarn: Red Heart Kids
Needles: US #7 Circulars
Modifications: I gave it a flip, like Bonnie did, by working 1 1/2" of stockinette before starting the ribbing
My Favorite part: Easiest Halloween costume ever!
My Least favorite Part: Knitting with fiberglass 100% acrylic yarn

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Twice The Fun

It was many years ago, during my first life in Juneau, that my interest in all things fiber-y took off. Though I learned to crochet shortly before moving here, it was in Juneau that I learned to knit and also dabbled in weaving, spinning and natural dyeing.

Back in the day, I took a class at the University in beginning weaving with Carol Thilenius. Carol is an amazingly gifted weaver, knitter and spinner.

Lo and behold, this past Saturday Carol was leading a class in a technique she calls "Reverse Knitting." I know other people work this technique in similar and possibly different ways, but Carol's reversible llama sweater (I'm pretty sure she hand spun the yarn as well) was the first time I had seen it (circa 1982) and I've never forgotten it.

This technique produces a double sided fabric, stockinette on both sides with reversible patterns in two or more colors. Sounds simple, no? It was very humbling.



This was the product of over two hours of knitting. To be fair, much of that time was also spent oohing and aahing over the many gorgeous samples Carol brought for show and tell. Worked in a fine gauge yarn, this technique can produce a beautiful and elegant fabric. I wish I had photos of Carol's exquisite sweaters, jackets, hats and mittens to show you.

To make sure I had this new skill cemented in my rather porous brain, I worked another sample when I got home:






It's fun and clever .. and now I have to get back to my sweater ..

Flap Happy

No sooner do I crow to you all about how I'm over the hump on my Mini Cardi and it's going to start flying off the needles, then I drop it like a hot potato and cast on for something new! It might have been the need for near-instant gratification, or maybe to redeem myself after my fair isle failure. OR it could be the view outside my window


reminding me that cold weather gear will soon be the order of the day.

Whatever the motivation, I decided Nick needed a really warm hat for those bitter days when, like it or not, the dog still needs a walk.

A Hat For Nick

Pattern: Ryan's Hat by Pam Allen
Yarn: Morehouse Merino 2-ply used double throughout
Needles: US#8 dpns and two circulars
Modifications: I had to adjust a bit for an extra large head and a yarn substitution. I increased to 102 stitches rather than 90. Because I messed with the numbers, I also had to mess with the charted pattern, so I used a combination of my own charted design and the one in the pattern.

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I keep forgetting that I want to send a SHOUT-OUT to Alma and Ruth, who were in Juneau on a cruise ship a few weeks back and met me for a quick cuppa tea. This is the first time I've had a face-to-face meeting with knitters I met on line. What fun!!