All the pieces for Bridie are complete and I’m knitting the button bands on the asymmetrical front.
Finishing requires my full attention, so I wanted to have a small project that would be easy to start and stop and carry in my bag. Haven – a scarf from Heartfelt The Dark House Collection by Kim Hargreaves looked like the perfect project. I pulled skeins of Rowan Cocoon in Tundra from my stash and went searching for 8 mm needles. I found a bamboo pair but after casting on the required number of stitches they were decidedly too short. I glanced at the vase of my Grandmother’s needles – heavy straight sticks in every color, size and length, but none in the size I needed. I really wanted to start this project, so I cast on using 6.5 mm needles. I knit two repeats of the lace pattern and wasn’t completely satisfied. No surprise that my gauge was off and the stitches looked forced and uncomfortable. I put the knitting aside and picked up a book to read for the rest of evening. A few pages in I remembered a drawer full of my Grandmother’s circular needles, each stored in a plastic bag with the number written on the outside. I was in luck and quickly found an 8 mm circular needle. I grabbed a new skein of Cocoon and cast on. After one repeat it was clear that this was the size required to create a scarf with big, soft stitches. It’s comforting to work with the same needles that my Grandmother once used – they are a bit louder than my addi’s, but it’s a pleasant sound, the sound of needles clicking.

A few months ago I shared with you two new yarns, both organic, that I hoped would bring simplicity and calm to my needles. I wanted something I could wear as the weather became warmer and decided the Beaded Cami by Black Dog Designs was the perfect pattern for the Rowan purelife organic cotton. It's soft and has a gentle drape to it that is really lovely. Knitting can be many things, but I think I love it best when the process becomes a meditative act and gives me a moment in the day to breathe, relax....and just knit.

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Chinese Style Pullover
Hand-Knit Works by Setsuko Torii
(Kit 89 from habu)
A-60-115 & 117 Shosenshi Paper, 6mm needles
mods: 5 extra Reps to length, single crochet around armholes
5 brown 19 mm buttons (#BO-8-1) from habu
* the first three photos were taken yesterday after it had been hand washed (it felt like seaweed when wet, but once dry it retained the texture), the last photograph was taken outside in bright light a week ago immediately after finishing

Sculpture. Texture. Knitting.

A garment that bears greater resemblance to a piece of art than a softly folded sweater on the shelf. And yet I love it. I finished this top while traveling and didn't realize until later that the neck line was off - more boat neck than turtleneck. I didn't fix it because after sewing the two pieces together the neck line felt quite comfortable. The V's that make up the stitch pattern accentuate the nature of the yarn, flat linen contrasted by purly bumps. The dark and delicate buttons really complete the pullover. The Japanese numbering system, challenging at first but quickly clear and easy to understand, made for a interesting knit. There were so many things about this project that were new and challenging - a new way to read and execute a pattern, a new yarn (with the cones on a towel rod type tool for smooth knitting), a new construction (I really like the way the arm holes and shoulders are constructed). Surprisingly comfortable when worn, the sound that is created when on the needles doesn't disappear with the bind off. My movements are accompanied by subtle sounds - it's as if I am walking through fields of wheat.

I cast on for this project after seeing Pullovers by Kirsten and Olga - thanks for the inspiration!

Eager to start another Setsuko Torii design as soon as this one was finished, I started another project from Hand-Knit Works.....details later this week.

The room was flooded with light when I took this photo, making the color of the yarn look a bit lighter here.

It’s the start of a new knitting project, the Chinese Style Pullover by Setsuko Torii from Hand-Knit Works (kit-89 from habu). I received my copy a few months ago and was having trouble deciding where to start. All the garments are so gorgeous. I was inspired to get kit-89 after seeing beautiful versions here and here. Last weekend I was in the back room at habu, standing in front of the colors and trying to decide what two strands would look good together. I compared huge light hanks of shosenshi paper, finally choosing khaki and gray. I’ve only knit about 5 inches and already I’m in love with the texture created by the linen yarn. The pattern, the sounds of the material as you knit and the surface texture of the garment make for a new and invigorating knitting experience.

A cashmere and silk handwoven shawl created for Blossom as part of our sew :: weave exchange.

Driven by the subtle differences in the habu materials, I used this project to try them out in ways that were new to me. The yarns are all dark but of varying texture. I used silks of two different weights as warp: fine yet slubby token viscose silk and the slightly thicker, even kakishibu tokkenshibu silk.

Using yarns of different weights and textures to create depth. The difference is very subtle – take a closer look.

It’s difficult to make out in the photographs, but it is there. The true test is when you take the shawl in your hands and see how the warp materials make it fold in unexpected ways. I wanted the bulk of the shawl to be plain weave so it would be warm, but also wanted some detail. I decided on a section of textural silk placed off center (gracing one shoulder), a panel with groups of 2/2 leno in a diagonal design. Inspiration came from looking up at the trees during the evening, the setting sun highlighting the tops of the branches. The weft is supremely soft naturally dyed cashmere from habu.

I savored every phase of this project, from warping with different materials to anticipating the moment the cashmere would interact with the warp yarns to the excitement at seeing the original fabric fold and move once off the loom.

tree top shawl handwoven 20 in by 70 in

sew :: The bag and skirt that Blossom created are truly beautiful. Please visit here and here to see more.

Gear linen from habu as warp and weft. Incredibly interesting texture, but a challenging material during the warping process. It’s structural when woven in plain weave, but as I experimented and added some tsumugi silk (far right) it turned into an amazing fabric. I need to let the experience sit with me for a while and contemplate the design and use for another project – this material will be on the loom in the future. This sample piece features the hand-controlled weave chaining – it actually looks better when worked in thicker yarn (see here where I worked the chain in handspun alpaca – the chain sits on the surface) but I think the thin strand of silk contrasts nicely with the gear-like texture of the linen yarn.

handwoven scarf 7 inches by 58 inches

And linen yarn from linnet. This yarn was really easy to use as warp material and I was surprised when I gathered it in my hands during the warping process. It felt smooth, almost silky. I used 1/1 leno weave, peppering the length of the plain weave scarf with little squares of this open work technique. The combination of plain weave and linen yarn naturally creates a somewhat stiff fabric, but it’s offset here by the leno weave. Handwoven in colours ecru and acorn flax, it makes for an incredibly airy, light scarf.

I was just thinking about taking a walk but it has started to rain again. It was clear this morning – I guess I missed my chance. I was looking forward to wrapping this soft alpaca scarf around my neck, the loosely spun fringe catching the wind. I wouldn’t mind a break from these overcast rainy days – but I couldn’t help using gray materials again. Shades of gray in textiles don’t look dreary to me, but appear crisp and modern. For this piece I wanted something modern but not too crisp – the uneven yarn, handspun on a drop spindle over the course of many days, creates a fabric full of textural interest and warmth.

Warp: naturally dyed silk from habu – kakishibu tokkenshi in sumi charcoal (A-15-43)
Weft: handspun alpaca - single ply - baby alpaca top in silver streak – fiber from the yarn tree
handwoven scarf 11.5 inches by 54 inches (not including fringe)

warp & weft : tsumugi silk from habu (A-1-1 & A-1-7), 9.5 inches by 44 inches

tiennie knits, knitting philistine, black dog knits and assemblage thank you for including me in your "you make my day" list. I'm always eager to find out what you're creating -you make my day too.

Here's my short list:

madelinetosh : gorgeous hand dyed yarns using natural dyes

coloursknits : amazing photographs

dogs steal yarn : beautiful words

lolly knitting around : inspired - both knitting and weaving

fluffbuff : for the lace

dogged. : love her quilts (and bailey too)

nova made : pie & knitting - perfect

six and a half stitches : awe-inspiring textures & original projects

whispering pine : delicious raw fabrics turned into stylish garments

ah-yi : handwoven scarves in amazing patterns and colours

Thank you for making my day, your work truly inspires me.

weaving swatch inspired by the samples in Plain Weaving

A day in early January inspired this scarf and then time was spent thinking about how to capture it via warp and weft. I chose muted green and gray tsumugi silk and planned a specific stripe sequence for the warp. I used the same material for the weft but also added some kid mohair to contrast the cotton-like feel of the silk. I finished late last night and was eager this morning to see it in natural light, to wrap this new textile around my neck. Delicate texture - it feels wonderful.

Warp: habu tsumugi silk (A-1-1 and A-1-43)
Weft: habu tsumugi silk (A-1-1 and A-1-43) & habu kid mohair (N-52-24)
Scarf: 9.5 inches by 55 inches

An early morning run a few weeks ago. The gentle waves of fog rolled over muted green grass. Forgetting distance and cold. Appreciating the moment outdoors. Wishing every morning could be like this one. Mind and body invigorated.

This week I sat down at the table with materials of mixed textures before me – tsumugi silk, airy kid mohair and crisp linen. Working on my warp plan. Nearby, Plain Weaving open to the page that shows Misao Iwamura’s studio near Mt. Hiei. A building with tall skinny windows nestled in a small grove of trees. Black and white photos show the interior – a spinning wheel in one corner draped with a handwoven piece and three round stones at its feet. Yarn filled cones line a shelf. Iwamura at work at one of her looms.

A look at my next handwoven piece in progress
tsumugi silk (A-1-1 & A-1-43) and kid mohair (N-52-24) from habu

Many thanks to all who visited and commented on the aran coat. I truly appreciate your kind words.