http://www.thedailypurl.com/ en Copyright 2008 Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:10:46 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss
Bridie by Anna Bell for KnitKnit by Sabrina Gschwandtner small/medium size 8 balls of Karabella Margrite (80% extra-fine merino, 20% cashmere) 3.75 mm and 4 mm needles I love so many things about this cardigan: the asymmetrical opening, the subtle texture of the lattice pattern, the delicate pearl shank buttons, the deliciously soft yarn. This was a smooth knitting experience (thanks to the perfectly written pattern) and it met all my expectations when I slipped on the finished cardigan this weekend. It’s a wonderful feeling when the sweater on the glossy page becomes a wearable garment in one’s closet. ]]> http://www.thedailypurl.com/2008/07/bridie.html http://www.thedailypurl.com/2008/07/bridie.html bridie Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:10:46 -0500 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. ]]> http://www.thedailypurl.com/2008/07/click.html http://www.thedailypurl.com/2008/07/click.html haven knitting Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:29:29 -0500 Beaded Cami by Black Dog Designs 4 mm needles, 5 skeins of Rowan Purelife no. 986 mods: picked up stitches on front bodice, knit one center motif The wool that currently occupies my needles is Bridie by Anna Bell. The incredibly soft, luxurious yarn and pattern make for a great evening of knitting. ]]> http://www.thedailypurl.com/2008/07/catching_up_1.html http://www.thedailypurl.com/2008/07/catching_up_1.html bridie knitting organic beaded cami Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:27:38 -0500 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.]]> http://www.thedailypurl.com/2008/05/simplicity_revisited.html http://www.thedailypurl.com/2008/05/simplicity_revisited.html knitting organic beaded cami Wed, 14 May 2008 20:04:14 -0500 * 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.]]> http://www.thedailypurl.com/2008/05/sculpture_texture_knitting.html http://www.thedailypurl.com/2008/05/sculpture_texture_knitting.html chinese style pullover knitting Tue, 13 May 2008 18:21:50 -0500 Above, the front piece of the Chinese pullover…nearing completion of the back piece and waiting for buttons on backorder. And some news… I’ve been working on a separate home for my weaving work: newov It’s just a placeholder for now, but I’m looking forward to the development of this new space. ]]> http://www.thedailypurl.com/2008/04/newov.html http://www.thedailypurl.com/2008/04/newov.html chinese style pullover knitting weaving Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:47:20 -0500
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. ]]> http://www.thedailypurl.com/2008/04/new.html http://www.thedailypurl.com/2008/04/new.html chinese style pullover knitting Thu, 03 Apr 2008 10:40:07 -0500 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. ]]> http://www.thedailypurl.com/2008/04/sew_weave.html http://www.thedailypurl.com/2008/04/sew_weave.html handwoven: tree top shawl weaving Wed, 02 Apr 2008 19:49:45 -0500 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. ]]> http://www.thedailypurl.com/2008/03/linen_work_1.html http://www.thedailypurl.com/2008/03/linen_work_1.html handwoven: linen ecru & acorn flax scarf weaving Mon, 10 Mar 2008 23:16:25 -0500 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) ]]> http://www.thedailypurl.com/2008/02/the_gray_collection.html http://www.thedailypurl.com/2008/02/the_gray_collection.html handwoven: the gray collection weaving Mon, 18 Feb 2008 17:17:04 -0500 After working my last knitting project in dark, bulky yarn I’ve been craving something light, organic and skinny. I have an idea in my head of what I want to make – something simple and streamlined. Seeking simplicity – in life and my knitting, that’s what I want right now. Top: Blue Sky Alpacas Skinny Organic Cotton | 100% color grown cotton | Organic Birch Bottom: Rowan purelife | Organic Cotton Naturally Dyed | Quebracho & Cuba]]> http://www.thedailypurl.com/2008/02/simplicity.html http://www.thedailypurl.com/2008/02/simplicity.html knitting Fri, 15 Feb 2008 09:22:30 -0500 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. ]]> http://www.thedailypurl.com/2008/02/bluestone_scarf.html http://www.thedailypurl.com/2008/02/bluestone_scarf.html handwoven: bluestone scarf weaving Fri, 08 Feb 2008 06:57:44 -0500 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 ]]> http://www.thedailypurl.com/2008/01/tsumugi_silk_scarf.html http://www.thedailypurl.com/2008/01/tsumugi_silk_scarf.html handwoven: tsumugi silk & mohair scarf weaving Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:22:54 -0500 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. ]]> http://www.thedailypurl.com/2008/01/foggy.html http://www.thedailypurl.com/2008/01/foggy.html handwoven: tsumugi silk & mohair scarf weaving Sun, 20 Jan 2008 08:56:51 -0500 Aran Coat Knitting Around by Elizabeth Zimmermann yarn: Rowan Yorkshire Tweed Chunky in Stout, Shade 554 Lot 19G4 – 11 balls needles: 32” and 16” US 10 addi circular needles and US 10 dpns buttons: 5 wooden toggle buttons #W35 from Durango Button Company size: 34” around body, 29“ from shoulder to lower edge steek: crocheted steek using 5.00 mm crochet hook, used Eunny Jang’s tutorial here, although I cast on 4 sts as suggested I would RX cast on 5 at the center front mods: 12 st Sheepsfold instead of 10 st 9 st Ribbon Cable from The Opinionated Knitter replaced the Fishbone pattern Followed the shoulder epaulet directions but the actual epaulet is not as pronounced on my coat. The hood – the only part of the project I’m not completely satisfied with as it’s too deep. I love the way the increases organically shape the hood – it looked okay while I was knitting it, but unfortunately it is too deep. The height, 12 inches, is perfect and the epaulet worked out beautifully. Shoulder holder and afterthought pockets to be added at a later date. [close up of the coat here] This project was filled with new things I hadn’t tried before and the process, from planning the coat and stitch patterns using a circular schematic to knitting the Sheepsfold pattern, was pure knitting bliss. I no longer fear the crocheted steek, but find it beautiful. I loved working EZ’s sewn cast off (her favorite for garter stitch) on the front borders. Perfect tension, even stitches, neat edges – a cast off that gives the garment the finished look I’m always after when completing a project. I’ll miss sitting down each night with the huge mass of wool on my lap and Knitting Around at my side. Knit in chunky tweedy wool, my perfect winter project is now my favorite winter coat. ]]> http://www.thedailypurl.com/2008/01/a_winter_coat.html http://www.thedailypurl.com/2008/01/a_winter_coat.html knitting Mon, 14 Jan 2008 21:43:28 -0500