Janet's House

A Blanket for Next Year

I started knitting this blanket a couple of weeks ago.  I have lots and lots of leftover sock yarn from previous projects, none of which included socks. I just love the beautiful color combinations and used a variety of many skeins to make 2 beautiful throws. This pattern is actually for a scarf but at 600 stitches, if I can keep it going I’ll end up with a nice blanket.

I always get chuckles when I hold up my first few inches of knitting and announce a new blanket, but one has to start somewhere. I’ve used up one leftover skein of the beautiful deep pinks and greens, then had a small amount of variegated pinks and now I’m on the second row of the green with pink shown in the picture.  So far, so good.

I’d been looking for a pattern that offered a different looking stitch but wasn’t so complicated that I’d be unable to carry on a conversation or watch television.  I found this pattern using a linen stitch on the Ravelry knitting site. I like the woven, rather than common knit or purl stitch. It involves slipping stitches and took me several rows to get the hang of it . There were mishaps along the way, but I’m glad I didn’t try to undo and redo, as the little mistakes have quietly blended into the colors and pattern. I think it’s good for the soul to sometimes just accept imperfections in a handmade project.

Here’s my big box full of possibilities which makes it fun deciding which color to use next. and see how they all complement and enhance one another.  I’m usually so impatient whenever I get involved in a new creative project, but I’m really making it my goal to make this project last at least a year.  I’m not desperate for any more blankets or throws but I do like to keep busy so I think this will be  a perfect evening project.  Occasionally I’ll remember to show how it’s going so you can keep up with my progress.  At least I’ve found a way to empty that big bin of yarn.

Embracing the Gray

Gray has been on my mind a lot lately, mostly in paint and fabric swatches, but also in the dreary rain here in the northwest.  As with the moodiness of the weather, the gray can affect moods and temperaments in people.  I decided to take a drive and capture some beauty in the gray so I could come back feeling refreshed and ready to work.

I drove up in the hills to get a good look at the homes and areas that can literally stay in the clouds all day long.  I like how you can see the layers of gray and green tones in all the trees as they fade away in the fog.

         A muddy lane becomes intriguing in the wet, cool afternoon. I must admit, everything is also very green.

I do love the color gray, even if I find it difficult to embrace the weather. I find I’m wearing more gray than black and I love the way it works with other colors. Even today, I looked down and I had layered my two favorite coats for my journey.

On New Years Day I could be found painting my living room, gray, of course. I was worried that it would end up looking like a stormy day, but on the contrary, I think it looks fresh and wonderful. I love it with the white accents and wood tones.

I’m remembering this beautiful, easy to knit gray cowl I made a couple of years ago. Click here for the link to that post.

I’m cutting squares of this wonderful gray canvas  for a new line of pillows.  A reflection of our love for wine. Just for fun. It’s off to the screen printers tomorrow, then I’ll stitch them up and share the finished product in about three weeks.

So there it is, todays reflections on gray…or grey?? Either way they say, but I’ll stay with ‘gray’. I just like the way it looks.

Shades of Grey and Brown

The early stages of this throw can be seen in the pictures up above when I cast on and knit a few rows while a passenger on our drive through Montana last fall.  I cast on 300 stitches then continued to pick up beautiful yarns along the way. I kept things uncomplicated so I’d still be able to see the scenery and chose a very simple Knit 2/Purl 2 ribbed pattern. No right side or wrong side and it just kept growing and changing as I’d run out of one skein and add another.

It grew and grew and by late October it filled my lap with warmth. By the end of December I was fully enveloped as I knit the final row.  Each section is approximately one skein, but I occasionally split the color up to give more interest to the stripes.  It’s toasty warm, holds memories of our trip and adds a wonderful texture to my winter living room. 

A New Yarn!

While traveling last week I quickly noticed that I had neglected to bring any kind of activity to keep me busy during the long drives or during the evening. I don’t know how I forgot my books and I planned on tucking in a small needlepoint to work on. Alas, I guess I was more concerned in making sure the college boy had everything he’d need to deck out his dorm room.  I managed to keep busy with a couple of magazines but by the time we were on the second leg of our trip (boy dropped off), I needed something to do. It’s been a while since I’d picked up my knitting needles, but something made me want to simply knit.  I checked the yarn shop opportunities on my cell phone and was already planning my project.

We drove into Bozeman on our way to Yellowstone and I requested my yarn stop. There are a couple in town but the one that caught my eye was The Yarn Shop and Fiber Place. They carry a nice variety of local hand spun yarns that intrigued me. I picked out a couple of earthy choices, had them wound, tossed in a long size 8 circular needle and I felt much better. Back in the car (as passenger of course), I cast on 300 stitches and began a simple knit 2, purl 2 rib pattern.  On our way home I stopped again and purchased two more skeins of grey and brown. I think it will be a beautiful blanket. 

The end of summer is the perfect time to begin knitting a warm winter blanket.  At this point it’s not too big but by autumn it will begin to keep you warm. Keep going and by December or January you’ll be nice and toasty as you cast off.

                                                                 Gather up some yarn on your next journey and get started!

Projects in Motion

As I’m sorting, tidying, cleaning and generally trying to give everything its place I keep coming across unfinished projects. Of course!! Most creative people are guilty of cupboards and baskets full of half finished or non started creations. I think it’s part of the enthusiasm of wanting to make things.

Yesterday I was sorting yarns and remembered my (still great, I think) idea of making a baby sweater then finding a wonderful fabric for a skirt or romper. I panicked when I also remembered that my favorite fabric shop for bright fun prints was closing at the end of the month. I stopped what I was doing, grabbed my yarns and headed to Fibers in Motion. I had great fun picking out fabrics to go with the yarns.

 

I have one sweater started and now with the print fabric I’m eager to complete the sweater and get on with the skirt.

 

 

 

 

 

This is my favorite. I can just picture a little girl all decked out in this happy color combination.

 

 

As I revisit my “projects in process” (much better than unfinished projects), I’m becoming enthused again. I was afraid that taking the time to organize would take me away from creating. Quite the opposite I’m finding. Instead, I’m having fun revisiting projects long buried and feel inspired and ready to jump back into knitting, sewing and creating.

If you live in the Portland area, be sure to drop by Fibers in Motion before LuAnn moves on to the next creative phase of her life. There are still a lot of beautiful fabrics available.

Proportion and Balance

I attended a class recently given by knitwear designer Amy Herzog.  The class was for knitters and how we can adapt patterns to fit and flatter our figures. As a knitter, there’s nothing more disappointing after spending a substantial amount of money on yarn and  unimaginable hours knitting a sweater, to not like my finished piece. Amy has heard it countless times and has set about trying to help.

As a math major, Amy is undeterred in making sizing adjustments that will work and as a creative designer, she’s completely aware of balance and proportion. The combination of her skills can be overwhelming to those of us with only one side of our brain in working order but I listened and learned.

I came away from the class with more knowledge of what I should look for when making a pattern choice. I also now have some skills to make some simple adjustments when knitting.  More than that though  it got me thinking about my wardrobe in general. Why something works and why something doesn’t.

I’m “currently” (note the quotation marks…there’s always hope) bottom heavy.  I hate that term but we took measurements and pictures and there it was; no denying it. Amy showed all of us how to balance our figure types. She states that we are unable to judge the actual size someone is but our eyes see the symmetry and balance of our shape.

I was under the mistaken belief that if I have a heavier bottom I shouldn’t wear anything that would accentuate my shoulders. I don’t want to look like a line backer. On the contrary though; if I balance my shoulders and neckline with a big collar, yoke or turtleneck I will bring proportion to my figure. By only buttoning a cardigan at the waist the eye sees an hourglass shape, creating balance.

I wasn’t convinced but we spent the last part of the class trying on a variety of sweaters and critiquing one another. Funny to do with strangers, but everyone was supportive and helpful. One look in the mirror told each of us that Amy was  right. 

Years ago I learned what colors did and didn’t work for me. Now I’m armed with another practical solution to wardrobe planning. The way I’m going, I’ll have it all pulled together by the time I’m eighty.

I’m going through my wardrobe and looking at everything with a new eye. I truly do think color is the first thing that attracts us, but to complete the vision I’ll now pay equal attention to the proportion and balance. Visit Amy’s website here, even if you’re not a knitter or seamstress I’m pretty sure you’ll learn something.

Knit Some Color into Your Life

 
Gray, gray and more gray. It’s been raining forever it seems. I think of summer and can’t believe it will come…eventually. I think of watermelons, raspberries, kiwi, and lots of sunshine. I keep knitting my little squares in my new favorite summer colors. It keeps me going and whenever summer really comes, I’ll have a lovely little blanket to drape over my shoulders on a cool evening.

 
The pattern again: Larissa Brown’s Barn Raising Quilt Squares from her book Knitalong.

On a positive note, the mossy rocks have never looked more lush and vibrant!

 

 

 

something to do

This weekend marks the 2^nd annual Portland Yarn Crawl. It’s a three day affair with all participating yarn shops filled to the brim with fiber; many sporting unique yarns dyed especially for them.  As with most knitters, I don’t need any more yarn but I couldn’t resist an event with exclusive yarns, raffles and door prizes so I stopped by a couple of the shops to see what was new.

For Yarn’s Sake is located in Beaverton and every time I stop in, there are more yarns to inspire me. The staff is helpful and full of knowledge and enthusiasm.
Mt. Hood Rose was  
dyed for their shop and there’s a pattern for a hat and fingerless gloves to showcase its beauty. I’ve decided to save it and knit mittens next Christmas.

Knit Purl is the other shop I visited. It’s in downtown Portland and has a very urban, hip feel to it. It’s a corner shop in an old building with massive windows and light flooding in to illuminate the dazzling collection of yarns. There are sample sweaters, scarves and afghans knit in lovely fibers to inspire.

Portland has an amazing group of talented fiber artists and it’s entertaining to see so many products. If you find yourself looking for something to do this weekend, stop into any of the yarn shops listed here. I’m sure you’ll find something irresistible. Have fun!

 

road trip quilt

 
A couple of years ago my daughter and I took a road trip to the bay area. I did my research and had mapped out all the yarn shops along our route. My daughter was game and we managed to fit in about 8 shops between Portland and San Francisco.

I had a plan to collect fingering weight sock yarns to make a knitted quilt. I got the idea from Larissa Brown’s book called Knit Along. It’s a fun book with lots of fun projects but I especially fell for the Barn Raising Quilt. Larissa’s suggestion of collecting knitted squares from many knitters and sewing them into a quilt was just plain cool. Upon completion she would auction off the quilt for charity.

Now, I’m all for charity and knitting for others but I have a thing for the beautifully hand dyed sock yarns. What I don’t have a thing for are socks made from those beautiful yarns. I was delighted to see a project I could make and finally surrender to all those fibers for which I had been longing.

Each time we stopped at a shop we would drag our previous purchase with us to make sure we were staying on the right color track. The shop owners joined in the fun and I came home with quite a project in front of me. Of course I continued to find more lovely yarns, including the wonderful fibers Larissa herself dyes with her friends at Pico Accuardi Dyeworks.

These squares are great to knit because they are small, tidy and can be tucked in a pouch and taken just about anywhere. It’s quite fun to stack them up as they accumulate but the most enjoyable element is arranging and rearranging them when it comes time to stitch them together. Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever tire of them because I enjoy seeing how each skein of yarn will knit up into its own little square.

It’s a great way to collect yarn when visiting a new shop; one little skein at a time. Whenever I’m on vacation or travelling anywhere I enjoy stopping in at the local yarn store. They each have their own atmosphere and flair and I always want to purchase a little something. A skein of yarn is a simple a souvenir to tuck in a suitcase. No concern about breakage and no one will stop you at the airport. Buying enough yarn for a sweater can be expensive and bulky, but a sweet skein or two is trouble free.

These little squares are fun and easy. The initial difficulty is learning to knit with the small 5 needles, but it’s truly much easier than knitting socks. Once you knit a few rounds you’ll have it all figured out and you’ll enjoy seeing how different each yarn knits up. Check out Larissa’s inspiring book and after knitting a few squares you may also quickly become addicted! Have fun

 

                  

 

A Gray Cowl for a Gray Day

 

I made this twisted cowl that I think turned out quite nice.

I saw the sample made at one of my favorite yarn shops Close Knit here in Portland.  I used the recommended Burly Spun yarn and was given the instructions with my purchase. It’s a simple seed stitch (knit, purl, knit, purl…). The only tricky part was giving the whole thing a twist on the first round of stitches. This creates the mobius, kind of a figure eight twist that allows it to drape so nicely.