Warp: Habu A-165-26 1/20 tokken viscose silk
Weft: Habu A-34-7405 cashmere
Scarf: 6 inches x 59 inches
Start: 11.24.07
Finish: 12.20.07

I wrapped this handwoven scarf around my neck this morning with mixed feelings about the resulting piece. The fabric is incredibly soft but I wanted to create a more balanced weave. I was looking to create a piece where the sticky uneven viscose silk warp would play equally with the delicate plies of the cashmere weft to create a balanced weave. On the loom, weft dominated warp. But now seeing the photograph with the scarf worn around my neck, I think there is a hint of my original intention for the piece. The viscose silk is present in a more subtle way giving depth to the resulting fabric.

A few days ago I was nearing the end of the warp when one of the warp threads snapped. I had turned the back handle too tightly and with too much force while adjusting the tension. I fixed the thread by adding a piece of warp and securing it at each end with a weaver’s knot. Apparently this knot is incredibly strong and it’s not noticeable in the scarf. The warp material I used is actually my favorite thus far – a bit uneven, a tad sticky, silk with texture.

My attention now turns to the stack of hats that need to be wrapped….Happy Holidays!

Posted by brooke at 04:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

Inspired to cast on after seeing this scarf – beautiful materials, so dark and dramatic.

I finished my Bainbridge Scarf late last night using Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend in Dove (1 skein, US5 needles, 2 days to knit). I think the recipient is going to love the soft silky texture and unexpected construction. I enjoyed the knitting and plan to cast on another scarf tonight…

Posted by brooke at 07:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

Every night this week I looked forward to curling up on the couch and working on Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Aran Coat. I’ve made good progress on the body and have started the sleeves. After spending so much time with this huge mass of knitting in my lap I finally set it on the floor to measure the length and see the progression of the Sheepsfold pattern.

I neglected to mention in the last post that I’m working the Sheepsfold pattern over 12 stitches. It’s the signature pattern on the coat and I really wanted it to stand out.

I also have been working on my current weaving project. The weft (cashmere) is almost covering the warp, resulting in subtle surface texture. I’ve been reading On Weaving by Anni Albers and the chapter on Tactile Sensibility reminded me of why so many of us crave creating with raw materials. Daily life is surrounded by sleek packaged products that, while save us time, have numbed our tactile sensibility. We love experiencing, as Albers calls it, material “in the rough”. Spinning raw fleece into beautiful plies of color. Weaving with handspun yarn and letting the unevenness of the material create the texture. Knitting with wool to create textural cables and bumpy garter stitch. We finish a project and our senses are revitalized – we can’t help but start the process again.

Posted by brooke at 09:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Rowan Yorkshire Tweed Chunky in Stout

This weekend I cast on for the Aran Coat from Knitting Around by Elizabeth Zimmermann. The coat features a stitch pattern of EZ’s own design called Sheepsfold. (Grab your copy of Knitting Around and turn to page 164 to read the back-story of this stitch pattern.) I used Meg Swansen’s method of planning an Aran garment, sketching a circular schematic on paper to decide the placement and stitch count of the patterns. Based on my gauge and the number of stitches to cast on to achieve my desired coat circumference, I replace the Fishbone pattern with the Ribbon Cable from The Opinionated Knitter. I’m really enjoying the Sheepsfold pattern, the way it moves back and forth, watching it grow. The sweater becomes a coat by cutting down the front of the body/hood and adding wide garter-stitch borders and toggle ties. Knitting around on US 10 circular needles with chunky tweedy yarn – I think I’ve found the perfect winter project.

Posted by brooke at 10:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (12)