Monthly Archives: April 2012

Interweave Knits Summer 2012

April 30, 2012 in Debbie Bliss, Elsebeth Lavold, Uncategorized

The spring and summer issues of all your favorite knitting and crocheting magazines are hitting store shelves.

You could say they are popping up like flowers, if you were feeling cheesy. LOL

The Summer 2012 issue of Interweave Knits is full of lovely patterns for knitting and wearing in warmer weather.

Flynn Cardigan

Interweave Knits. Photo by Carmel Zucker

First up is the “Flynn Cardigan” designed by Maria Leigh.

Textured stripes composed of stockinette stitch bands alternated with lace bands make up this easy wearing cardigan. Great for covering up if the air conditioner gets ambitious or to protect against a brisk evening breeze at the beach.

This cardigan is knit using Debbie Bliss Amalfi a 70% Cotton, 15% Viscose, 10% Linen, 5% Silk blend. There are six new colors this season. The sweater in the magazine is knit in color #32014 coral, 15 (16, 18, 20, 22) balls.

Popsicle Dress

Interweave Knits. Photo by Carmel Zucker

Stripes of color and lace jazz up the hem and collar of the Popsicle Dress designed by Nancy Eiseman.

This sleek dress is knit using the delicious Debbie Bliss Bella a 85% Cotton, 10% Silk, 5% Cashmere blend, which combines all the qualities of softness and drape you’d want in a spring garment. Five new colors were added this season. The dress in the magazine is knit in color #16003 grey (MC), 10 (11, 12, 14, 15) balls; and #16007 orange (CC), 3 (4, 4, 4, 5) balls.

Dawn Dress

Interweave Knits. Photo by Carmel Zucker

The Dawn Dress designed by Andrea Rangel has cables on the bodice and a flattering empire waist.

This dress is knit using Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy a 41% Cotton, 34% Hemp, 25% Modal blend that has summer written all over it. This season sees six new colors added to the pallet. The dress in the magazine is knit using color #04 white beach, 15 (18, 21, 22, 25, 28, 30) balls.

Learn more about this issue on the Interweave Press website. Then pick up a copy, and the yarn for your new project, at your local yarn store.

Knitscene Summer 2012

Speaking of Hempathy…if you don’t think you’ll finish the Dawn Dress in time to wear it this spring, check out the Clover Camisole from the Summer 2012 issue of Knitscene magazine.

Clover Camisole

Knitscene magazine. Photo by Nathan Rega, Harper Point Photography

Designed by Heather Zoppetti, this camisole calls for 4 (5, 6, 6, 7) skeins of Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy in color #17 vivid green/

In addition to the pretty lace detail near the neckline, this top has an interesting lace panel on the side. You can see it in the extra pictures on the Knitting Daily website.

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Hacho Hat Flat and Round

April 26, 2012 in Free, Hats, Mirasol

If you are a fan of Knitting Fever Inc. on Facebook then you saw my progress last week as I knit the blue chemo cap for my friend using Mirasol Hacho yarn.

Hacho hats

Pretty colors.

This hat is a free pattern on our website. After you downloaded it you were probably rather surprised to find it was knit flat since I was obviously working mine in the round on double pointed needles.

Fear not! I wrote down what I did to convert it and am going to share it with you. However, I thought I’d offer a few general tips first.

Flat Version

People get excited to see hat patterns that are knit flat since they aren’t very common.

While it is very logical to knit a hat in the round, since that is the final shape you want, there are times when knitting flat is desirable. Beginners are often intimidated by working in the round. A complex pattern or color work might be better worked flat. You get the idea.

Hacho hat 324

Worked flat the colors are more random.

To make this pattern, even the flat version, you should know how to knit and purl as well as be confident reading a pattern.

The hat is worked in a diagonal rib, so you’ll have to be able to keep track of that as you go along. Also, a word of caution, don’t think you can use these numbers to work a plain hat in stockinette stitch. Remember that ribbing pulls in and stockinette stitch doesn’t. If you drop the pattern stitch your hat could end up a weird size.

A few people have contacted us because they were confused about the part where the diagonal rib begins. The hat starts with a few rows of plain P2,K4 ribbing. Then there is a decrease row, then the diagonal rib starts. The rib pattern starts marching to the right. Just follow the directions and you’ll be fine.

Converting Flat to Round

There are a lot of exceptions and things to consider when converting a knitting pattern written flat to working in the round. Far too many for me to cover in this little post, so I’m just going to offer some quick rules of thumb. There are many excellent knitting reference books that go into more depth that you should seek out.

Barbara Walker has a good discussion of the topic in the introduction to her “A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns.”

The first thing to consider is that you won’t have to sew a seam when working in the round, which means you can probably safely eliminate at least 2 sts (on a sweater maybe 4 sts) that would have gone to the seam.

Second, think about how your ribbing will come together in the round. You don’t want a wide swath of either knit or purl stitches messing up your pattern.

Third, in general the very broad rule of thumb is that you’ll want to change purl stitches to knit stitches and vice versa. But before you do that willy-nilly you really need to stop and think about what the original pattern is trying to accomplish.

Keep in mind that the purl stitch is the back of the knit stitch. You know this deep down inside, but maybe hadn’t thought about it for very long. That is why ribbing is reversible. That is why when you work stockinette stitch in the round all you do is work the knit stitch.

If the pattern you are converting has ribbing or a lace stitch you’ll want to see where all the knits and purls fall and what will happen if you reverse them. It might be wise to knit a swatch flat following the pattern so you can get a feel for it before you convert it.

Fortunately, in this case, I’ve done that thinking for you. Ready to get started?

In the Round Version

Remember, I can’t claim this is an original pattern. I’m just converting the existing Tintiri Hat pattern. You’ll want to download it to get the specs and there is also a cute matching scarf pattern on there, too.

Hacho Hat 322

Worked in the round gives a swirl.

Yarn: One skein of Mirasol Hacho. (I had about 3 feet left after seaming the flat version and about 9 feet left after working the round version)

Needles: US 6 or size needed to obtain gauge. (For instance, I used a US 5)

Gauge: 22 sts & 30 rows in 4″ over stockinette stitch

Pattern:

Cast on 90 sts

P2, K4 around.

Continue in rib as established until hat measures 3/4 inches from cast on edge.

Begin diagonal rib:

Rounds 1-4: K4, P2 around

Rounds 5-8: K2, [P2, K4] around, ending K2

Rounds 9-12: P2, K4 around

These 12 rounds form the diagonal rib.

Repeat last 12 rounds until hat measures approx. 7″ from cast on edge

Shape Crown:

Round 1: *K2tog, K2, P2, repeat from * around (75 sts)

Round 2: K3, P2 around

Round 3: *K2tog, K1, P2, repeat from * around (60 sts)

Round 4: K2, P2 around

Round 5: *K2tog, P2,  repeat from * around (45 sts)

Round 6: K1, P2 around

Round 7: *K1, P2tog, repeat from * around (30 sts)

Round 8: K1, P1 around

Round 9: K2tog around (15 sts)

Round 10: K around

Round 11: K2tog around to last 3 sts, S1, K2tog, PSSO (7 sts)

Draw tail through all sts on needles, pull tight to close hole, fasten off.

In case you’re wondering

what the differences are between the two versions:

1) Cast on fewer sts to make the initial ribbing work

2) Eliminated the decrease row since you already have 90 sts

3) Worked 2 extra rows at the top of the crown because I thought the 15 sts hole was too big.

You’ll notice the way the colors fall in the two versions of the hat are very different. That is the fun of hand painted yarns in action. You can meld the colors by alternating working 2 rows from both ends of the ball of yarn. (Of course you can also buy two balls of the same color and alternate 2 rows of each. Then you’ll have enough yarn for two hats.)

On a different note, I was reviewing the new free patterns we’ve posted on line and noticed that this Odin hat from Viking Design is also knit flat. It is a basic rib pattern, which makes it very good for beginners.

Odin Hat

This hat is worked flat, too.

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Chemo Caps

April 24, 2012 in Hats, Juniper Moon Farm Yarns, Louisa Harding, Mirasol

Because hand knit or crocheted projects are a long distance hug making garments for our friends and family is a fun way to show we care.

Sometimes the emphasis is less on the fun and more on the caring.

One of the women in my stitching group (we knit and crochet) has started chemo therapy. For a while we were all signing a card every week to give her spirits a boost. Then, at the beginning of the month, the call went out for chemo caps.

Hacho Hat 322

Mirasol Hacho Hat in color 322.

Since this is the first time I’ve had to make a chemo cap I quickly realized I knew nothing about them beyond they should be soft. To get myself up to speed, I emailed Robin at Delaware Head Huggers for advice. Over the past three years she’s helped coordinate the donation of well over 6,000 caps, which makes her an authority in my eyes!

Where to Donate

Delaware Head Huggers, which Robin founded in 2009, is an affiliate of the Head Huggers group started by Sue Thompson in 2001. Their goal is to get caps onto the heads of people who need them. In addition to making caps themselves, they collect them from around the world and distribute them to individuals and organizations where they can be put to good use. Since there are Head Hugger affiliates around the world, a list of active groups is maintained online so they are easy for people to find and contact.

Kiri Hat

Kiri hat in Juniper Moon Farm Sabine

“From Hawaii to Florida to Colorado to Vermont, our hats travel far,” Robin says. Sometimes she is told about hospitals or centers that need caps and sometimes she researches places to send them.

If you don’t have an active Head Hugger group in your state, and don’t want to send your caps away, Robin advices contacting your local hospital to see whether they can use caps. “Call first to be sure, but most hospitals and chemotherapy and radiation centers are thrilled to receive hats that they can give to the patients,” she says. ” You can also contact local chapters of the American Cancer Association or any local cancer coalitions, for example, Delaware has a Breast Cancer Coalition.  If the coalition can’t use caps, they can usually tell you who can.”

All though all those organizations will probably be happy to receive any size hat, if you are interested in making caps for children specifically, check out Kozy Kaps 4 Kids.

Cap Considerations

Now that you’ve determined where to send your cap, what features should it have?

Fortunately, most of the elements of a successful chemo cap are things you probably look for in a project already.

“A successful chemo cap is first of all made with love,” says Robin. “Soft yarns are wonderful to use since patients scalps can be sore.”

If you use yarn with wool or other animal fibers you should include the ball band, or a list of the yarn content, so that people with allergies can steer clear. This will be more important if you are donating your cap to an organization. If you are making a cap for a friend you can probably run the selected yarn by them in advance to make sure they like it.

As for styles, the field is wide open. My friends and I are able to select patterns based on our friend’s fashion tastes, but don’t feel you have to do plain hats if you are donating them. “I usually tell people to make what they like to make – there really is a patient for every cap,” says Robin. “One thing to be careful with is to not make a hat that is too open or has too much lace.  You don’t want someone getting sunburned in your cap pattern.”

It had never occurred to me to worry about getting a sunburn through the cap so I’m really glad Robin mentioned it! With summer coming my stitching group has been looking at cotton yarns and hats with lace patterns. This was a good reminder to include a variety of styles so our friend has a good selection.

Cressida

One skein of Nerissa yarn makes the beanie version.

Making caps with holiday themes and seasonal colors is also a good idea, Robin says. And wild hats for children are usually well received.

Pattern Resources

If you are anything like me, you probably have plenty of hat patterns on hand already, but there are a number of resources online where you can find more. Your local yarn store will also have a wide selection of patterns you can purchase. Since you’ll be there anyway picking up yarn, you might as well flip through the books!

There are patterns on the Delaware Head Huggers website.

There are patterns on Robin’s blog.

There are patterns on the main Head Huggers website.

There are patterns on the Knit Michigan website, which is a good resources for information and suggestions as well.

A “chemo cap” search on Ravelry will produce a number of knit and crochet patterns both for purchase and for free.

There are also several free hat patterns on the KFI website.

The blue hat at the top of the post is the free Mirasol Hacho Hat. The pattern is worked flat with a diagonal rib pattern. This is a good pattern for an advanced beginner since you don’t have to worry about working in the round. I just made this hat for my friend.

The lavender hat in the middle of the post is the free Juniper Moon Farm Kiri hat. This fun, slouchy hat is knit using two colors of Sabine, a soft 40% Cotton, 30% Merino Wool, 30% Royal Llama blend.

The burgundy hat at the end of the post is the Cressida hat from Louisa Harding’s Nerissa book. You can buy this book at your local yarn store. Nerissa is a 100% Cotton chenille yarn. There are two versions of this cap. The beanie version takes one ball of yarn and the ribbed hat version takes two balls. This is the next hat I’m going to make for my friend.

Have you made chemo caps? Share your advice and suggestions in the comments or on our Facebook page.

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Off The Needles: Caracara Scaruffle

April 17, 2012 in Queensland Collection, Scarves, Uncategorized

Spring is in the air! That means it’s time for a new profile picture wearing something hand knit in spring colors.

Queensland Collection Caracara was actually introduced in the fall. This yarn is a 50% Acrylic, 30% Nylon, 20% Kid Mohair with approx 259 yards per 25g that knits to 1.5-2 sts per inch on a US 3-8 needle. However, as it works up into light, fluffy garments it is also good for these early spring days when you want to be warm but also free from the weight of your winter coat.

I’ve had one ball of color #3 – Seagreen, Mint, Blue Violet – on my desk all these months waiting for the right one-skein project to come along. These colors remind me of the sea side and I wanted a project that would enhance that feeling.

Finished Sacruffle

The scarf construction shows off the stripes.

The right pattern finally presented itself in the Scaruffle pattern by Bess Haile. You can find this pattern in “The Knitter’s Book of Yarn” by Clara Parkes.

Now this isn’t one of our books, but you should be able to find it at your local yarn store or even your local book store. This book has a lot of information about how yarn is made with discussions of spin and ply and how to expect the different fibers to behave. All that information can not only help you appreciate yarn more, but also understand what to expect when you make a project or need to substitute yarn because you can’t find, or don’t like, the yarn called for in a pattern.

The Scaruffle pattern calls for 227 yards of a fingering weight mohair yarn, which meant Caracara would be an excellent choice. Other good options would be Debbie Bliss Angel and Party Angel with its metallic flair, or Louisa Harding’s Simonetta which also has a bit of glamor.

Simonetta

Louisa Harding Simonetta would be a good choice as well.

This scarf is knit lengthwise using short rows. I think it would be good for an advanced beginner because it is basically garter stitch, but would be a good introduction to short rows. Many knitters get stressed out the first time they work short rows. “What do you mean I’m not working all the stitches?!” they ask. A project like a scarf, which doesn’t have to fit, would be a good place to test this technique since there will be less pressure to get the finished project “right.”

Of course, by leaving those stitches unworked and returning to them later you can introduce curves and shaping into your project. This is very hand for places like sock heels and toes where you want to knitting to follow the shape of your body. They are also useful for adding bust shaping to sweaters. Knitty.com has an interesting article about using short rows for shaping.

On this scarf, the short rows make a gentle ruffle. When working short rows on a large project like this I find it helpful to place a stitch marker after I turn the work. The stitch makers make it easier to know when to stop and turn on future rows. They also make it easier to ensure I’ve worked the same number of short rows on each end since I can just count the markers rather than looking for the little gap between sections.

Scaruffle Kerfuffle

Back to my scarf.

I cast on during my Friday knitting group and just whipped right through it.

But then a classic knitting problem befell me. I ran out of yarn before I could cast off!

It was my own fault. If I had followed the pattern I would have been fine, but I wasn’t measuring my progress. Instead, I got greedy and just kept knitting. Lace weight yarn always seems like it will last forever. And, since I was working short rows, the more I knit the shorter and quicker the rows were to work. I was sure I could get one more row out of it.

Scaruffle progress

So close, but no cast off!

Sympathy and suggestions poured in when I posted my dilemma on Facebook. Do I rip out a row or keep going in a different color?

The two most popular suggestions were:

Take a crochet hook and do a slip stitch all the way around its almost the same as a cast off and you don’t need yarn to do it.–Debra

Starting at the end w/out the tail pass one loop over the next stitch until you reach the tail…and walaa you have castoff with out ripping out.–Lori

Veronica suggested that I could unravel my swatch and use that yarn. Usually I’m a firm believer in swatching, but hadn’t this time since it was just a little scarf.

I also posted a picture of my scarf with the other Caracara colors I had nearby. Most people liked either the color at 4 o’clock or 6 o’clock.

Caracara colors

This year's colors. There will be new ones in the fall!

But in the end I chickened out on adding a second color. I took a deep breath, frogged the last row, and cast off normally.

I think it was worth the effort.

Finished scaruffle

Happy spring!

As you can see, Caracara is a self striping yarn. The lengthwise construction of the scarf really draws the colors out creating a lovely effect. The combination of construction and colors makes the finished scarf look more complicated than it is.

You can see a similar striping effect in the shawl pattern in Jenny Watson Designs Book #17, which features sweaters and accessories using Caracara.Caracara Shawl

But don’t feel like you have to limit yourself to scarves, Caracara with make soft, warm sweaters as well. This pattern is also in book #17.

Caracara pulloverHappy knitting!

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Noro Mini Knits 3

April 11, 2012 in Free, Gloves, Hats, Noro, shawl

Created due to the great popularity of the previous Mini Knits book 1 & 2, Noro designer Jenny Watson offers a collection of 30 new designs covering accessories, babies, and women’s garments in the new “Noro Mini Knits 3” book.

Dog coat

Can you think of anyone more deserving?

Recent studies have shown that the constant gentle pressure of a dog sweater has a pronounced calming effect on dogs that are fearful, anxious or over-excited. Prove this yourself by knitting this stylish dog sweater for your favorite four-legged friend using just two skeins Taiyo.

Taiyo is a 40% Cotton, 30% Silk, 15% Wool, 15% Nylon blend. There are eight new colors this season giving you lots of options for matching pup’s collar or eyes. (giggle)

PillowNow that Spring has officially sprung, let’s not forget an inspiring home decorating project. This cushion uses Silk Garden Lite and has an optional sewn-on knitted lace edging.

Silk Garden Lite is a 45% Silk, 45% Mohair, 10% Lambswool blend with a suggest gauge of 5.5 stitches per inch. There are also eight new colors of this very popular yarn. Good luck choosing just one!

Polo Insert

A good transition piece

Dubbed “Polo Inset,” this versatile shoulder topper would look great both over or under a jacket or blazer. Uses only 2 skeins Noro Taiyo. Useful during cold weather because you don’t have to fuss with a scarf, this garment is also great as a transition piece as the weather warms up and you need “just a little something” but not a heavy coat.

 

Socks

Look at the cute pom-pom!

Design 29 uses Silk Garden Sock to make these cheerful cabled socks complete with pom-pom adornment. This popular yarn is a 40% Wool, 25% Silk, 25% Nylon, 10% Mohair blend with approximately 328 yards.

Crochet hat

Get your hook on!

All it takes is just one skein Silk Garden Sock to create this retro-looking crochet cap. (Very reminiscent of the swinging ’60s). Now’s the perfect time to brush up those crochet skills.

fingerles mittsFingerless gloves, always a fast and easy knit, also make great gifts. This pattern uses just one skein Taiyo. Mother’s Day is fast approaching, have you planned your project yet?

Shiraito

mmm, yarn

Noro’s self-patterning colors really pop in Shiraito, a luxurious new 45% cashmere/ 45% angora/ 10% wool blend. At a suggested gauge of 7 stitches per inch on size 4 (3.5mm) needles, you really must “fondle” this yarn to appreciate its beauty.

Free Pattern!

 

Free shawl

Download the pattern on our website.

To celebrate the newDesigner Mini Knits 3 by Noro book, knit this fabulous shawl in your choice of Silk Garden Sock, Taiyo Sock or Noro’s fabulous new Shiraito. What a great spring project!

Download this free pattern from our website (after you click through, look for the “download pattern” link under the big picture on the left) then head out to your local yarn store to get the book.

Which pattern will you make first? Share your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.

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We Stitch Red!

April 3, 2012 in Debbie Bliss

Stitch Red is a national campaign started by Jimmy Beans Wool to raise awareness of heart disease in women.

Did you know heart disease is the #1 killer of women in America?

You probably expected it to be breast cancer, but according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute “one in four women in the United States dies of heart disease, while one in 30 dies of breast cancer.”

I think that’s a good reminder to get ourselves checked out from head-to-toe on a regular basis.

In the last few years doctors have started to realize that women might not have the classic heart attack symptoms (pain in arm or chest, shortness of breath) that men experience. It’s important for women to learn what their risk factors are and the symptoms for which they should watch. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website has a wealth of information from questions to ask your doctor to healthy recipes.

What does this have to do with yarn?

Plenty!

Through the Stitch Red campaign, JBW has organized the fiber arts community to offer yarn, notions, and patterns with 5% of the process going to the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health in support of The Heart Truth® and women’s heart health education and research.

We are excited that Debbie Bliss has signed onto the project with both a yarn and a pattern.

Rialto Lace

Rialto Lace Color #8

First up, the yarn. Rialto Lace is the newest entry into the popular Rialto family. This delicious 100% Extra Fine Merino Wool yarn comes in 429 yard (50 gram) balls. While there are 20 colors available, Color #8-Red is the official Stitch Red color.

Don’t you just want to reach into your monitor to pet it?

The Rialto Lace book showcases this yarn in shrugs, shawls, and those popular little lace collars.

While the patterns in the book aren’t official Stitch Red patterns, you still contribute whenever you make any of them in Color #8.

On the other hand, the “Knit Red” book is full of official Stitch Red patterns.

Dolman Sleeve Sweater

Dolman Sleeve Sweater from "Knit Red" book

The book includes 30 designs from some big name designers. In addition to their patterns the designers each share a little story about why heart disease awareness is important to them as well as a tip about how they stay healthy. It looks like it’s going to be a pretty neat book. You can see a sneak preview of the book here.

Debbie’s pattern is this pretty Dolman Sleeve Sweater. The sizes range from a 36″ bust to a 51 1/2″ bust. It is knit using Baby Cashmerino in color #34-Red.

The “Knit Red” book will be available in June (they are taking pre-orders). If you don’t want to wait that long you have options.

Square Back Wrap

Square Back Wrap designed by Brooke Nico

This beautiful Square Back Wrap was designed by Brooke Nico using four balls of Rialto Lace in the official Stitch Red color.

The pattern is in the Spring/Summer 2012 issue of Debbie Bliss Magazine. Pop over to your local yarn store and pick up a copy along with the yarn and do your part to start “sticking it to heart disease!”

Knitting and crocheting are great ways to combat stress by allowing yourself to slow down and relax. Since we all know how bad stress is for our health, allowing ourselves quiet time to work with our yarn is important to our well-being.

How else are you taking care of your health and your heart?

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