To begin with, I'd like to say thank you to everyone who left such kind comments about Ms. Z.  Just like her blue eyes, those sweet sentiments were very heart melting, and are warmly appreciated.

I also appreciated the thoughts and comments on the most recent issue of IK.  Here's hoping the fall is better for that magazine.  It's always been one of my favorite knitting mags, and it's a little sad for me to have been uninspired by it several issues running.

Today I wrapped up the last session in my first weaving class.  The general idea of the class was just not to think too hard and to play with color and simple weave structures using a plain twill threading on a 4 harness table loom.  Since it was just a sampler and not meant for display, I put together a brightly colored warp and just went wherever I felt like as far as color was concerned.

My warp was three yards long, but in the end, I stopped a little early, because, as it turns out, I am apparently as much of a product weaver as I am a product knitter and spinner.  After sampling a variety of weave structures and techniques, I was ready to get on to "a real project".  I played with a number of things in this project, but here are a few of the highlights.

This close up features rib weave on the bottom half (for those that are interested, it's a 1-3 sort of structure where either 1 harness or three harnesses are "up") and a broken twill pattern on the top half.  Rib weaves and their final look are very dependent on how hard you beat the fabric.  The harder you beat, the more prominent that vertical line becomes.    I really liked the twill structures and how they seem to almost float above the warp.  Twills were fun to see because they aren't something I know how to do yet on a rigid heddle loom (I believe they are possible on a rigid heddle with a properly applied pattern stick -- but given what I've tried already, it's a lot easier done on a multi-shaft loom).

This is inlay work.  The background weaving is just plain weave (i.e. what you think of as the standard "over under" every other thread pattern of weaving) with another thread laid in the shed when you put in your plain weave weft picks.  You could take out the inlaid yarn without any impact on the plain weave fabric as it isn't an essential part of the actual cloth.  It was fun to do with the big slubby yarn that I used.  Kind if a neat way to work patterns into a fabric without actually having to do tapestry weaving. 

This last image is "leno" -- you use a pick up stick to twist the warp threads so that you can run a weft shot through and use it to maintain the structure of the open work.  It's one of a series of ways that you can create "lace" in a woven fabric.  I found it a little fussy, but it could clearly be a nice detail in a table runner, curtains or the border for a garment.

The only problem with working a project on tiny needles, and being excited about the project and devoting much energy to it, is that it doesn't make for the most smashingly interesting blog discussion.  However, I am hoping that by being able to show continued progress in a relatively short period of time will be encouraging to anyone out there who is on the fence about this project because of the combination of small needles and crochet lace.  I'm now finished with the first sleeve and have started on the lace edging for the second sleeve.  I'd be farther along (maybe done with the edging for the second sleeve) if this weekend hadn't been more about gardening than about knitting, but early May is the time that those annuals need to go into pots if I hope to enjoy summer floral bounty later on.

The best thing about being done with the first sleeve is that there is only one major structural piece of the sweater left to go: the last sleeve.  Once the crochet lace is worked, the rest of it is pretty much smooth sailing and it will be time to block the sleeves and assemble the garment.

The sleeve is a small task compared to the final task after the assembly: crocheting the lace edging that goes all the way around the outer edge of the sweater.  In true Rowan style, they have you crochet the lace and then attach it to the garment.  Which isn't really that hard. But I'm considering actually just starting the lace on the body of the sweater and working it in the round to avoid both the seam that I would have to make to put both edges together -- and the possibility that it will be hard to ease an inelastic cotton lace piece around the garment.  Clearly I would have to do some figuring and work out the region of the pattern that has been adapted for flat crochet, and I'd have to work at making my numbers work out with the lace pattern and the distance around the garment.  But, Experienced Crocheters, am I missing something else that I should be considering?  Any advice, suggestions or general thoughts would be appreciated.

I always know when spring is really here, because it's usually right about the time that I get motivated to finish up a pair of socks, lingering from the winter.  And even though socks are easy to knit and I like to knit few things as much as I like to knit socks, it also usually marks a time when I stop thinking about wooly foot gear for a while in favor of warmer weather projects. 

The pattern for these socks is just my basic toe-up sock.  Wedge toe, short row heel, ribbed cuff.  Nothing special.  What will make these socks memorable for me is the dreadful pooling of the second sock (the one on the blocker).  It's literally half light blue on one side, half dark blue on the other.  While the first sock striped in a more or less appealing way.  Schaefer Anne sock yarn will go into my books as strange stuff, indeed. 

And in truth, I will probably never buy Anne again for knitting socks.  This yarn is splitty, splitty, splitty and needs to be knit on tiny tiny needles in order to make what I think will be a marginally durable fabric.  It would probably be better used in some garment of a simple lace persuasion, meant to be worn for less trying service than socks.  Hopefully it will surprise me -- I've had more than my fair share of bad estimations of sock yarns, and I'd be happy to have this pair be with me for much time to come.

A certain little someone grabbed the sock right after I shot the first picture.  And, for the first time ever, when I asked her to hold a knitted item while I took her picture, she did so!  Isn't she a lovely sock model? (I know, she looks a little tired... it was the end of a long day for her).  Perhaps the leftovers will have to become socks for her.  I never get tired of her saying "Mommy made it! Mommy made it!" or asking to wear her handknit garments.   

Dear L,

When you have a little brother (I know, I know, "little" is no longer an accurate adjective), you often wonder what he is going to do when he gets older.  Will he stop being annoying?  Will he ever wear another color besides black?  What career path will he pick?  Will he find a good person to spend his life with?  In the case of my brother, he did eventually stop being annoying (I think he was around 20 at the time), he did stop wearing black (and even surprised me by being open to striped hand-knit socks), he became a chemical engineer (of course, the engineering part was never in doubt, but he left us on the edge of our seats with the chemical part.... how many times did he take a stab at organic chemistry?) and he most certainly found a very special person to spend his life with.  I know that anyone who knew and cared about my brother was happy when you agreed to share his life.

Knitter that I am, I've always wanted to knit something special just for you as my way of saying that I'm glad you're part of our family.  Yes, I know I knit you the dragon scale socks (in honor of your love of dragons), but I while I loved designing them for you, somehow they've never seemed like quite enough. I know that at one point we sat down and discussed felted handbags.  My brother reminds me of the fact that I still have not produced a bag on a yearly basis (he's definitely looking out for you!), and while I wish I could make good on the promise, the right inspiration just hasn't hit me.  And if I can't get inspired, I have almost zero chance of accomplishing a fibery project. 

But this year has been such a big year for you -- in November you brought my beautiful nephew into the world, and you've had to face more than your fair share of challenges in his almost 6 months with us.  I wish we were closer (Houston is so far away) so that we could be there more often to help, and that Ms. Z and Mr. C could get to know each other as they grow up.  In lieu of being there, I like to think that this is the time when a hand knitted gift could be a bond, a reminder that somewhere in Chicago, there are people thinking about you and your family.  And thus began the start of my inspiration.

I hope you won't be disappointed that it's not a felted bag. I still have not found the mojo for that project.  I have always thought that your love of dragons is very symbolic of your personality: strong, powerful, wise, protective of those you care about, and not afraid to breathe a little fire every now and again when you need to get something done.  It is these dragons that have been the source of my inspiration for something special for you.

Today I started your Dragon of Happiness shawl.  The yarn is a delightful alpaca, silk blend (Alpaca with a Twist, Fino) that is soft and rich, the color is a deep raspberry burgundy (selected with a bit of consultation with my brother).  It will be knit on size 1 needles -- all 115,000+ stitches (there are 230 stitches on that needle in the picture and there are more than 500 rows).  When it is finished, it will probably be one of the magnum opi of my knitting career.

I have gone back and forth on whether I should keep it a surprise.  In the end, I decided that I could not.  I am sure some will think that I am going public just so that I can blog it (and there may be an ounce of truth in that), but the biggest reason is that by declaring my intentions publicly, I'm making a commitment to to you and the project.  I have no idea when it will be completed (it is a project that requires focus and not every day brings me the opportunity to apply myself that way).  I hope that you'll enjoy seeing it grow.  

Two weeks ago I put together my project design, measured out the warp for the sample and started sleying my reed.

When  I wrapped up my weaving class last week, I had started threading the heddles.

Two weeks ago I put together my project design, measured out the warp for the sample and started sleying my reed.

When  I wrapped up my weaving class last week, I had started threading the heddles.

A few views from my hotel:

Yes, indeed, I was in Philadelphia. It was a nice trip to a city much lovelier than I remembered.  I was staying at a hotel near the convention center and found so much within easy walking distance.  Except for those few pictures I took from the hotel, I didn't crack out my camera.  But I loved walking through the neighborhood areas around Loop and Rosie's Yarn Cellar and near Jim's where we went to get the required Philly Cheesesteak sandwich -- that last area reminded me of Wicker Park here in Chicago.  I think if I suddenly had to live in Philly, I could.  The only thing that seemed to be missing was the independent coffee shops.  I hope I get to go back sometime and explore some more.

The knitting was non-existent, even though I brought a couple of sock projects with me.  I just couldn't get myself to sit still for that long.  No matter, those projects will come with me on my 4 day weekend to Ann Arbor -- along with Lotus' second sleeve and the Dragon shawl (I just finished up the 26th row -- for anyone keeping score). 

Since I'm midway between unpacking and packing again for the weekend, I'm a little short on pictures.... but I hope these few random bits will entertain:

1) I have come to the conclusion that the bra is one of the most important garments in any ensemble.  A bad bra makes everything else I am wearing look bad (especially after the changes induced by having a baby).  A recent refitting found that my band size was too big and my cup size was too small (this surprised me more than anything... a real shame the expansion came with no extra structure).  I am now properly equipped with new undergarments and it's made a world of difference.  So I am going to encourage everyone to make sure they are properly fit!

2) I am an itchy mess these days... not sure whether it is some skin sensitivity (I'm latex sensitive and sensitive to many things in laundry detergents) or something else.  But I am fighting myself to keep myself from tearing more holes in my skin by scratching.  Just when I thought I might be done with doctors for a while, it looks like i need to find a dermatologist...sigh.
 
3) I'm having fun helping out a scientific cause at The Galaxy Zoo.  Long ago, before I wanted to be some kind of biologist, I wanted to be an astronomer.  You don't have to know anything about astronomy to help out, you just have to want to look at pictures of galaxies.  Kind of fun, and something you could easily do with a child!

4) I read about FoldIt in Wired magazine and now I want to play myself -- it's a game meant to help simulate protein folding.  Once again, you don't have to be a biochemist, you just have to like puzzles!

5) My peony plant is now approaching 4+ foot high and has huge clusters of buds.  Those buds are getting bigger and I am holding that it will hold off blooming until after Memorial Day so that I can see it open up.  I am inordinately proud of this plant, even though I have  had little to do with its success beyond buying it and planting it (and in our yard, that is often not a guarantee of anything more than being abused by squirrels and not getting enough sunlight).

6) Ms. Z is now 22 months old! And her latest victory includes figuring out how to open gate latches and other such barriers to exploration. Watch out world!

To all of you in the U.S., I wish you a most relaxing Memorial Day weekend (and hope you, like me, are getting a little extra time off), and to everyone else, a good weekend, as well!

Over the holiday weekend, I didn't knit a stitch.  I did, however get crafty with some perle cotton.

For my first big weaving project, I need to have two cords to use to help tie the ends of the bolster closed.  This seemed like the perfect application for a Kumihimo braid.  I talked about Kumihimo a long time ago when Julie got me excited about the craft.  I bought some perle cotton, the braiding foam templates, the bobbins* and tried out a few simple things, but since I didn't really have anything that I needed a braid for, I put it all aside on a shelf. 

It's amazing how having a real project to plan for can remind me of things that I never quite got into, and then get me really excited about it.  We spent Friday through Monday in Ann Arbor, and I spent almost all my free time in the car and at my parents house "auditioning" braids. 

I have a very nice, basic book that describes a nice variety of basic braid structures and then describes how altering the colors and their order can fundamentally alter how you see the braid.  For instance, the second cord from the top and the 3rd cord from the bottom are made using the exact same braiding technique, and the exact same number of threads.  The only difference is the number of threads of each color (and, in this case, the braid closer to the top of the picture is using 5/2 perle cotton while the lower one is using 10/2 perle cotton). 

All the rest of the braids in the photo use different "weave structures"  -- and I use that phrase because when I was working on the braid on the bottom of the picture (the one with the red, white and blue diagonal stripes) I realized that I really was weaving.  And the bottom braid is really a warp faced weaving -- like something you might get off of an inkle loom.  After I had that realization, I realized that the basic idea behind all of these braids had it's roots in weaving, which made the idea of creating these braided cords even more perfect as accents for my woven bolster cover.

After all the auditioning, which braid do I think will be the winner?  Likely the second braid from the top.  You can't tell from the picture, but it is one of the few soft, almost stretchy braids in the bunch -- it's also very easy to make.  And I think it will be the right complement to the bolster cover. 

What I like about Kumihimo is that it is a form of weaving that is eminently portable, easy to get started in and requires almost no expensive equipment.  You can use any threads you like and it is not that hard to "sample" and develop your own ideas.  While I work on finishing up my waffle weave sample I'm going to try out a few of them with some elastic thread my weaving teacher let me borrow.  Since Kumihimo braids can easily be embellished with beads, I thought it might be fun to create some of my own hair ties.


* If you are looking for Kumihimo supplies, I can highly recommend BraidersHand