Show and Tell

I always enjoy seeing what knitters make with my yarn.  It's show and tell with a personal touch.  Recently a knitter shared this project with me.

Reversible Cable Scarf from Knits Men Want.  In spite of the book title, I want this scarf.

The yarn is Marie, colorway Slate.  Cashmere makes this blend perfect for next-to-skin wear.  

The fabric is soft, squishy and full of texture.  The scarf is reversible - a nice bonus.  I've almost convinced myself to make one.

In case you're wondering about the remaining spring shows, see the right sidebar for an updated schedule.

I found this week's color inspiration at the end of a driveway tucked between two houses.  If I'd been driving by, I wouldn't have spotted it. Instead, I was parked across the street and couldn't help but notice the lighting and the color contrast.

Fresh spring colors.

Fresh Snow, Fresh Hat

Today my timing is spot on.  We have another foot of snow in the weather forecast, and I have a new hat to go with it.

Rikke Hat.  My models have all trudged off into the blinding snow, so this quick outdoor shot will have to do.  See the Ravelry pattern page for more pictures.  

This hat is all mine, but if one of my daughters had been around to model, we might have had a custody battle.  This garter stitch hat is so elastic - I'm sure it will fit a variety of head sizes and shapes.  It's soft, squishy and comfortable.

The yarn is Marie, colorway Eggplant.

I used almost the entire skein.  Yes, I was getting a little nervous near the end.  Worst case scenario I would have had to rip back a few rounds before the decrease rounds.  

Today is the last day to enter the January giveaway.  Follow the link for details.

I hear my neighbors hard at work.  It's time to head outside and get started on the shoveling.

Top Down

While I contemplate diving in on a sweater project, I've been working on a couple smaller things.  Hats are my number one choice at the moment.   These days I find myself wearing them around the house, so it's nice to have some variety.

Ackert Hook Hat.

A friend made this hat quite some time ago, and I liked it enough to tuck it away in my queue.  When I was browsing for a new hat pattern, this one jumped out at me.  Sorry I don't have a live model.  I couldn't bribe convince anyone to brave the cold with me.

This hat was a nice break from the traditional bottom up style.  It starts at the top with an invisible cast on. 

The lovely flower motif is followed by several inches of seed stitch.  I know some knitters complain about seed stitch, but it's never been a bother for me.  After all, this is just a hat - not a whole sweater's worth. After a quick ribbing and bind off, I had a new hat to add to my collection.  I read the comments on Ravelry and decided to drop down two needle sizes for the ribbing.  I finished it off with Jeny's surprisingly stretchy bind off.

The yarn is Marie, colorway Blue Jeans.  This DK weight blend has a bit of cashmere making this hat my current favorite.

Colors For Thought

The dye pots are busy, and my days are full of color.  There are earth tones, jewel tones and everything in between.  Dye, dry, twist and label.  The process is the same yet always different - subtle nuances, shifting colors.  It never gets old.  And during the process random combinations appear - colors tossed together to be packed away later. This combination caught my eye, and now I want to use it for something.  Anything.

Marie.  Blue Jeans and Raisin.  A project to contemplate while I dye more yarn.


Speaking of projects I've been following a design that's under construction.  Designer Becky Herrick is puzzling out a cabled sweater pattern.  The twists and turns of cables can be challenging.  You can read about Becky's design dilemma here.  She's using Dirty Water DyeWorks Edna, colorway Acorn.


I love the gray days of winter, but my color inspiration for the week is the exact opposite.

Bright and bold on burlap.

Corinne

Corinne is off the needles.

After hours of knitting row after row of glorious garter I was sad to see it come to an end.  This sweater is knit in one piece from side to side. The only finishing is grafting the sleeve seams and sewing on the buttons.


Steady, even garter.

The yarn is Dirty Water DyeWorks Marie, colorway Slate.  This DK weight blend of merino, cashmere and nylon knits up quickly and makes a soft, comfy garment.


This design uses a short row repeat to shape the sweater.

The short rows create simple textured lines.


I made one modification.  The neckband isn't knit as a separate piece so it lacks the stability of one created by picking up stitches along a cast off edge.  I was afraid that with time the neckband would stretch from the weight of the sweater.  To reinforce the neckband I crocheted a chain along the inside edge.  You can find clear instructions for this technique here.


Part of the fun was picking out the buttons.

I chose these glistening black ovals from the vintage button selection at Gather Here.


The temps are still cool.

Corinne is ready to wear.

Hidden Danger

When I'm in the middle of a dyeing run, I'm usually quite focused. There are orders to fill, inventory to re-stock, new samples to plan for. I start by making a "to dye" list with the most urgent colorways at the top.  I work my way through the list, checking off each colorway when it's done.  It's an efficient system that works for me.


But there are hidden dangers to dyeing yarn.  Every once in a while I stray from that list.  I'll be thinking about various patterns while I'm dyeing - considering different yarn bases and color options. What would work, what wouldn't.  And then, in the blink of an eye, three things will come together - pattern, yarn and colorway.  Before I know what's happened, I'm prepping to dye yarn for myself.  Do I need a new project?  No, not really.  Do I have yarn in my stash waiting to be used?  Most definitely.


I can only attribute this sudden flurry of creative activity to the combination of wool and dye fumes.  Recently I had such an episode.

It left me with a sweater's worth of Marie.  I'm doing my best to recover by knitting it up.


It was a colorful, relaxed weekend with just the right mix of work and family time.  These chicks were here for a short visit.

They didn't stay long.  No, I didn't make them.  While I have loads of patience for untangling yarn, I don't have any for decorating baked goods.


And there were colored eggs.

Some subtle.


Some vibrant.

Shades of red.

Tower Mill Shawl

The other day I finished Tower Mill Shawl.  It's been a crazy busy week with not many opportunities to take photos, so the shawl spent a day with me running errands.

I managed to squeeze in a couple of photos between stops.


This shawl is a cozy, versatile wrap.  It's perfect to wear out.  Or stay in and snuggle up with a good book.

The yarn is Dirty Water DyeWorks Marie, colorway Pea Pod.  Marie has a bit of cashmere which makes for a smooth, soft knit.  I can't seem to get enough of this yarn and will have to plan another project with it.


Here's a peek at my latest sock.

I was planning to make a simple ribbed sock, but then I stumbled across Jeck.  Jeck uses a modified rib - a little something to keep it interesting.


Today is the last day for the Change Of Seasons Contest.  There's still time.  Leave a comment and enter to win.


This week I was outside looking for colorful signs of spring.  All I found were the remnants of winter.  I know that the crocuses have popped, but I have yet to see one.  My color inspiration for this week is tightly wrapped and hidden.

Buds waiting to burst.

Friends

Some of my best friends are my knitting buddies.  We get together regularly and share our passion for knitting - fun projects, new yarn, interesting techniques.  We also share our lives with each other - what's going on with kids, families, jobs, health.  We've been gathering for quite some time now and have shared many things, all the while knitting . . . stitch after stitch after stitch.


These friends have been very supportive of my business, always offering to lend a hand.  Wind yarn, label skeins, booth help, computer assistance, sample knitting, photography.  Even if I don't need the help, the offer is always so touching.  


A couple of weeks ago one friend offered to knit a sample, and I took her up on it.  

Samples add so much to a booth, and with a show coming up I've been working to add a few new ones to the lineup.

I appreciate that my friends use some of their precious knitting time on my behalf.  It's very generous.

We've created our own community and a strong support network.  We help each other not only with knitting emergencies but also with other life emergencies that arise.  Even if you don't need the help, it's comforting to know it's there.  Just in case. 

This pattern is Breiwick by Gudrun Johnston.  The yarn is Dirty Water DyeWorks Marie, colorway Cinnamon.

Thanks, friends!

Mad About Marie

My latest project came off the needles the other night.  I caught my second wind and decided to make the most of it, so this scarf took a bath and went right on the blocking wires.


I'm in love with everything about this scarf.

The pattern is Punch and Judy from Anne Hanson at Knitspot.  This design had just enough going on to keep me interested without taxing my brain too much.  Anne's patterns are well written and easy to follow - this one was no exception.  And it was a fast knit.  I'm going to add this pattern to my list for quick gifts.


I can't say enough good things about the yarn.

This is Marie from Dirty Water DyeWorks, colorway Blue Jeans.

Marie is a DK weight yarn - a blend of 80% Superwash Merino, 10% Cashmere and 10% Nylon.

This blend is soft, squishy and delicious.  Marie has excellent stitch definition and takes the dye like a sponge, producing colorways with rich variation.  I'm smitten and want to knit another project with this yarn.  I see a sweater in my future.


In other news the Dirty Water DyeWorks website has been updated to include a line of knitting bags from Michele at Three Bags Full.  Two styles are available - the Mia Bag and the Project Bag Set.  Michele uses fun, quirky fabrics and incorporates nice details like zipper pulls with handmade glass beads.  Take a peek.


We had more snow this week but also some clear, bright days.  This narrow path has replaced the sidewalk that runs by my house.  Late afternoon light transformed the snow and is my color inspiration for the week.

Blue shadows.