Casting on: Hot in Norway

Rhinebeck is this weekend! I'm not going!  

Instead of crying into my teacup, I've cast on for my "not going to Rhinebeck" sweater. While I have other projects going on, it's mostly work related and involves a fair amount of stopping and starting and thinking and tracking etc., and even the House Clogs I'm knitting require keeping track of shaping rows. That's just too much for me at the end of the day, when I want something soothing, meditative, and hard to screw up. Last year around this time, my attempt at that was a scarf knit in mistake rib, which I managed to repeatedly mess up by making mistakes in mistake rib (basically I'd start knitting ribbing "correctly"). This year? This year it's big blocks of garter stitch for an oversized, baggy sweater, a modification of the Skappelgenseren that reportedly took Norway by storm in 2012. Instead of the fingering-weight yarns called for, I'm using a single strand of worsted weight, Berroco Remix that I originally bought in 2011 to knit a Beatnik with. I got three sleeves and a hem in and then it hibernated - in order to fit me, I'd have to modify the armscye and sleeves, something I just wasn't up for. The gauge is close to the recipe, but the fabric is a bit denser, so there's a nice nubbly texture. I think it will be very much a tropical version of the Skappelgenseren, and useful for me if it does manage to cool off here by December. 

Other modifications: slipping the first stitch of each row, to help firm up the sides (it's drapey enough to need structure from the seams), and I added 6 stitches to the front and back. I'll likely adjust the sleeve stitch count as well. 

Blast from the past: Sushi TP Cozy

So way back when (ok,  it was 2004) Kim Werker launched Crochet Me, the first online magazine devoted entirely to crochet. She was looking for modern, creative crochet projects, and she selected the Sushi TP Cozy anyway (ha ha). It ran in the first issue and has, over the years, brought work my way that I don't think I would have gotten otherwise.

Crochet sushi TP cozy revisited

It led directly to the Sushi Pillow, published in Get Hooked! (edited by Kim Werker), and to appearing on Knitty Gritty with the Sushi for the Bathroom pattern set, which is how I met Vickie Howell. It's driven a lot of traffic to my website, it's resulted in my getting fan mail from a fiction author I'm a fan of, and it continues to put a smile on people's faces. This week it may have led to another opportunity (that I'll share if it goes through), and at the very least, I now have a fresh new sample and good photos. This one came together really quickly - I finished it while the photographer was fiddling with light settings and stuff - and I had fun noticing how easy it's become for me to improvise and create on the fly with a bag of scrap yarn and a few crochet hooks.

The basic pattern is still available for free on the Crochet Me website, and I told Kim this morning that it's been giving me ideas for a pattern that would also teach a variety of techniques. We'll see how far I get with that, and how much further a silly idea that made me laugh almost ten years ago will go.

On My Bookshelf: Pop Knitting

A shorter version of  this book review was originally published in Knit Edge magazine, issue #2. The review copy was purchased at full retail price. As a member of the Powell's Books Partner Program, I receive a 7.5% commission on referrals.

Pop Knitting: Bold Motifs Using Color & Stitch

Pop Knitting: Bold Motifs Using Color & Stitch

Britt-Marie Christoffersson

Interweave Press

With decades of experience in design, textiles, and knitting, Britt-Marie Christoffersson offers up 200+ pages of striking examples of using basic knitting techniques to create eye-popping textures, color patterns, and embellishments. It’s a wonderful way for experienced knitters to reconsider the possibilities of knitting, and an exceptional way for less experienced knitters to explore how simple techniques like slipped stitches, casting on, binding off, and knitting in different directions can create interesting fabrics. 

Instructions are provided for each stitch pattern in written form, accompanied by color photographs. A few of the stitch patterns are also shown worked up as cardigans, and a very simple cardigan template and brief instructions on how to use stitch pattern swatches to calculate a garment are provided. Knitters may find additional books such as Ann Budd's The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns handy for finding ways to use the stitch patterns to make wearable pieces.

 Many of the stitch patterns are time-consuming and will leave the knitter with a lot of loose ends to weave in and tidy up. They are also excellent ways to use up small amounts of yarns, with striking results. 

On My Bookshelf: Curvy Girl Crochet

This book review was originally published in Knit Edge magazine, issue #2. A review copy was provided by the publisher. As a member of the Powell's Books Partner Program, I receive a 7.5% commission on referrals.

 Curvy Girl Crochet: 25 Patterns that Fit and Flatter, by Mary Beth Temple

Curvy Girl Crochet goes beyond just offering patterns in larger sizes, offering tips and techniques for altering patterns to fit your body the way you want them to. The first two chapters focus on the groundwork: how to take your measurements accurately (tip: don’t use an old tape measure), how to assess yarns and patterns, and how best to make changes. The patterns include an entire wardrobe of sweaters, accessories scaled up for larger proportions, and something for every season. The Wrapt Top, a cropped lace wrap, could be a lovely accent in warm weather, while the basic, very customizable Progressive Tunic can be worn on its own or as a layering piece all year long. While the patterns may not all look like they come from the same wardrobe (and that’s intentional), yarn and color choices along with adaptations can open up a lot of possibilities. Is the Traditional Cloak too bold for you in bright blue- purple? An earthy tweed could give it a more classic countryside appeal. Looking through Ravelry projects to see how other crocheters have re-imagined the patterns is going to be a lot of fun!

Ravelry: Curvy Girl Crochet

On My Bookshelf: Clever Crocheted Accessories

This book review originally appeared in Knit Edge magazine, issue #2. The review copy was purchased at full retail price. As a member of the Powell's Books Partner Program, I receive a 7.5% commission on referrals.

 Clever Crocheted Accessories: 25 Quick Weekend Projects, edited by Brett Bara

The 25 patterns in this book range from a sparkly beaded cocktail ring (Dazzling Ring by Kazekobo) to thick, warm, cabled men’s socks (Hiking Socks by Kim Kotary) to a colorful floral motif bag (Amazing Motif Bag by Regina Rioux) - all cleverly constructed and great ways to explore crochet techniques and stitch patterns you may not be familiar with. For example, the Saturday Beret by Ellen Gormley, featured on the cover, is a visual head-turner that uses Bruges lace techniques to create a chunky texture, and the Chunky Capelet by Doris Chan employs broomstick lace. There a lot of great gift ideas here, including hats for men. 

Ravelry: Clever Crocheted Accessories

Clever Crocheted Accessories: 25 Quick Weekend Projects
by Brett Bara (edt)