New Loom

Last year, my Cricket Loom (a wonderful first Mother's Day gift from Elise) hooked me on weaving.  I know, the girl went all out and set the bar pretty high for Mother's Day- hopefully she can live up to the standard this year :-)



The Cricket was perfect for learning to weave on a rigid heddle loom.  The compact size made it easy to move around.  I could work on projects on the couch, and there were even a few car rides that involved weaving.  Although I broke every weaving rule out there (I was clueless... and still am a bit!), I managed to come up with a few pieces that I *love*.



But, as my appetite for weaving grew- it was time for a larger loom.  Enter my Ashford 32" rigid heddle:



To tell you the truth, this was actually a Christmas present from Joe.  The loom has been sitting here warped since... oh... January (see, the blog isn't the only thing that has been neglected in my life the past few months!).   Time has gotten away from me a bit, work has distracted me that much more- and I also have a little color issue.

I know I won't have enough of this fingering weight Plucky Primo in Candy Apple seen as the warp.  I need to add some more color, and right now I'm kind of thinking of weaving in more of a true red.  But like I said, it's completely undecided and the hesitation continues!

I know every time I bring up weaving, I have a whole slew of questions coming in on the blog and emails.  People asking about how I learned, if I know of any good reference videos out there, questions on warping, etc.  Well, I am pleased to say that I finally have an answer for all of you looking to get in to weaving.

Want to know what it is?!?

I'll tell you...




tomorrow.


Stay tuned :-)



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Green on Grey

The people have spoken- it was almost a unanimous 'green on grey' victory.  So cast on I have, and my new cowl is coming along quite well (if I do say so myself):

With the Aran weight yarn, things are just clipping along.  It takes me about 45-50 minutes to do a section of ten rows.  At that pace (and only 42 rows total in the color work chart)  , I should be finished in a jiffy.

Now that I brought up the issue of timing myself, I need to know- is this something you do when you're knitting?  I often find myself with the clock/calendar pulled up on my computer so I can see how much time- down to the second, it takes me to complete a row.  From then on it becomes a little game- can I beat my best time?  Why did that row take so long?  What did I do that past row that made me so efficient?

I know there are many knitters out there who say it's not how fast of a knitter you are, it's the quality of work you produce.  It's not that I disagree, but with only about two hours a day (on a good day) of knitting time, I just feel I need to put those seconds to good use!

I enjoy the 'journey' and the 'destination'.  Sometimes the journey is a little more fun when I can be a bit neurotic about timing.  I can't be the only one out there...

Anyone?!?



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Swatch to Sample

Yesterday I gave you a little peek into my newest design:

And although I would love to show you the finished product now, we'll all have to wait a bit!  It is amazing to look back upon this swatch from two weeks ago and see the (much) larger and luxurious piece it has turned into.  *Sigh*- oh cashmere, the things you make me do!

Even more exciting is the fact that the pattern for this new design is just about done being written up and will be sent off to the graphic designer very soon.   What this means for me is that I get to cast on a new beauty that I've been excited about since I first laid eyes on it.

Have you seen Jill's new Sonoran Cowl?  She gave me a sneak peek back when it was just a lowly WIP and I was smitten.  Not only is it colorwork (love!), it also calls for the Plucky Knitter's new yarn, Rustic.

And wouldn't you know?  I have the yarn in my possession, ready to go: 

  Better yet, it's aran weight.  Aran! After the laceweight cashmere, the chunkier yarn will be a warm welcome.

Now the real question- grey on green or green on grey?!?


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Squam Teacher Feature

I mentioned before how excited I am to head out to New Hampshire this summer to take part in the legend known as Squam.   If you really knew how excited I was, you would know that I visit the Squam blog almost daily, stalk the Squam Ravelry group page, and get a little giddy when a new post from Squam Art Workshops pops up in my Facebook feed.

Now that you have all learned that I can get a little obsessed inspired by upcoming events, it is safe to share why I am excited about today.  Over at the Squam blog, guess who holds the Teacher Feature for February 15th 2012?!  That's right, yours truly.  Make sure you hop on over to say hi and learn a little more about me from my Squam interview.



On another (albeit related) note, have you had the chance to check out the Squam store?    There is always a new handmade offering, available for a limited time.  In the past weeks I have seen the most beautiful hand thrown cups and tumblers, gratitude journals, and now something specifically catered to us knitters.  A kit featuring a fingerless mitts pattern and yarn inspired by the beauty of Squam Lake.


The pattern comes in three sizes, two length options, and two cuff options- making it versatile for a range of knitting skill levels.  The designer of the pattern, Natalie Selles, and the dyer of the yarn, Jill Draper,  will both be teaching at the Spring Squam session (have I mentioned how excited I am to be included in such a talented group of teachers?).  Didn't make it into Squam before it filled up (and it happened so quick!)?   Ordering this knitting kit may be exactly what you need to tide you over until next January when the Squam 2013 session opens up!

Kits are available in your choice of one of the two colors shown above.  It is $30 for the kit (you'll receive the pdf pattern immediately upon ordering, your yarn will arrive in a couple weeks), but you can also buy either the yarn or pattern separately.   Find more details over at the Squam Store- and make sure you keep your eyes open in the coming months for other creative handmade offerings!

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