Blog Week Day 3: Elizabeth (Who Else?)

When I first read on Eskimimi’s Blog about Blog Week, and saw her proposed topic for Day 3, “One Great Knitter,” my mind gave me the answer in just one word.

Elizabeth.

Even when I wasn’t yet a knitter, when I would crochet from a pattern with a specific gauge as for a baby sweater, I was always dismayed at no matter how I tried, I couldn’t achieve the stated gauge in the pattern. Because of the way I held the yarn, my stitches were even and well formed, but short and squatty, as opposed to the same stitches that my grandmother would make. (Now, I’m smarter than I was then and I realize I might have been able to compensate by adding extra rows here and there, but then…)

So, when I started knitting, I discovered a similar phenomenon. It’s hard today for me to “get gauge” for a stated pattern. I thought this would limit my abilities as a knitter. But then, I read Knitting Without Tears. I learned that even I could knit anything I want to knit… that what is important is knowing my gauge, whatever it is, and then I can make practically anything, in any yarn, without following a step by step pattern.

So many of Elizabeth’s ideas are timeless, and pure genius. Who would have thought that a wonky parallelogram folded just so, would make one of the most often knitted garments in knitting history?

A couple of years ago, I attempted my first-ever sweater. It was a baby sweater, but a sweater nonetheless.

I loved this pattern immediately (commonly called the “February Baby Sweater,” from Knitter’s Almanac) because it said this: “Gauge: About 5 sts to 1 in. But babies come in various sizes.”

There she was, not “trapping” me with a pattern, but freeing with me with her thoughts on how this baby sweater could be made. I did mine with sock yarn, and instead of using the lace stitch I opted for stockinette with a cable and eyelet panel on the fronts. With a few calculations based on my gauge, I was free to take her idea with my yarn and my thoughts, and just go.

Elizabeth Zimmermann taught me to think as a knitter, and to find my own way. Instead of feeling limited by my dexterity disabilities that cause me to hold my yarn differently and maybe not get gauge (ever! I am the loosest knitter I know), I know that instead I can accomplish anything when it comes to knitting. I still have a fear of sweaters, and someday soon I hope to be over it. I know Elizabeth would tell me I can do it.

There are other knitters whose work really inspires me and keeps me moving forward in my quest to master our craft:

• Kristen Nicholas–whose color sense is something I find to be nothing short of amazing,
• Janet Szabo–whose understanding of cables is completely amazing. (She even took the time to help me fix a dropped cable on my baby sweater project once),
• Bev Galeskas–whose felted hat pattern (OMG it’s downloadable now?) is the first knitting pattern I ever bought, and it’s still my favorite,
• Stephanie Pearl-McPhee–who always tells the truth about knitting and helps me to laugh about it, and
• Nora Gaughan, whose amazing sense of shape and form take knitting in some pretty amazing directions.

As I was saying yesterday, though, inspiration comes from so many sources I could not possibly list all of the knitters and designers who have given me so much inspiration. But Elizabeth? Thanks to her videos, I can hear her voice in my head. She is my knitting guide, telling me to trust myself, and helping me believe that I can do it.

Special Note: I’d like to thank Meg Swansen for providing the photo of Elizabeth Zimmermann that accompanies this blog post. I sent an e-mail and she responded so quickly. Thanks, Meg, for sharing such a great photo!

Book Review: Knitting Brioche

I’ve been a fan of Nancy Marchant’s Brioche Stitch Site for a long time. Early in my knitting life I discovered this stitch, and sadly, I have yet to master it. Nancy’s site gives information on this lovely stitch, its variations, and for me, how to fix it when you drop a stitch. This is the part that always gets me–how to re-seat the stitches on the needle if they find their way off the needle unexpectedly. I never could read the stitch well enough to know how to reposition the pesky yarn-overs. I visit the site periodically, hoping to get up my courage to try again.

Well, yesterday I was in the bookstore with my knitting group and guess what I found? Nancy has written a book on Brioche stitch, aptly entitled, Knitting Brioche: The Essential Guide to the Brioche Stitch. It’s like having the website in a book, only there’s more. More variations, more increases and decreases, and patterns. Lots of patterns. I can hardly decide what to knit first.

I don’t think I fully realized how many ways brioche stitch can be used. It can be an interesting way to use color, or to display interesting and creative geometric shapes.

The book contains detailed instructions for brioche stitch basics, a fabulous brioche stitch library that shows the numerous way this stitch can be implemented in its variations, and a pattern section, offering unique designs that range from the simple to the simply stunning. My favorites are the Zandloper Scarf, the Rembrandt Neckpiece, and the Hedera Jacket. (All of the links to the patterns are Ravelry links; you need to be a member of Ravelry to see them. By the way, if you’re a knitter or crocheter, and you’re NOT a member of Ravelry? Go. Sign up today! You’re missing out if you’re not there. Really.)

I paid full list price for this book but I am happy to have it. It is chock full of stitch patterns, techniques, tips, and designs. If you’re interested in exploring the world of brioche, definitely add this book to your library. And prepare to be amazed.

Book Review: Gorgeous Knitted Afghans

Recently I got the book, Gorgeous Knitted Afghans: 33 Great Designs for Creative Knitters. And I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised. This book, written by Fatema, Khadija, and Hajera Habibur-Rahman, is not your ordinary afghan collection. There’s a lot to choose from in here, from simple stitch patterns knit with lovely, unexpected yarns, to complex patterns that offer a bit of a challenge and yield lovely results.
There aren’t many projects in here that I wouldn’t knit, given the luxury of limitless knitting time. I am especially enamored of the mitered afghan on the cover, which is called “Fascinating Rhythm”. (I checked; it’s not listed in Ravelry yet. Perhaps I should start one of these so I can get the pattern listing going, eh?) But, even if you don’t care for that gorgeous afghan, there’s something for just about every taste in this book. Whether you like simple, mindless knitting, or want to try something new, there’s probably a project in here for just about everyone. Whether it’s colorwork, motifs, lace, cables, or simple stitches in gorgeous colors, I’m sure just about any knitter of any skill level could find an entertaining project in this book.

I grew up in a home where scrap afghans crocheted in ripple patterns or the traditional granny square afghan could be found. These creations were never anything more than functional, as the typical 1970s earthy color schemes with an occasional fire engine red could just about make your eyes bleed to look at them, in their dizzying mishmash of color insensitivity. The afghans in this book more than make up for the sins of our grandmothers, though, because they are all simply stunning.

The book includes an introductory section that goes over some of the special techniques covered in the book, including the embroidery stitches that are required to complete some of the projects. And, the instructions in the book seem clear. However, a quick internet search leads me to believe that there may be some errors in this book, for which I can’t yet find the errata information. When I do, if it exists, I will post it here. However,
I am not deterred from trying the patterns in this book.

My only regret is that I don’t have 50 sofas in my house to drape them all upon. A home can only have so many afghans. How am I ever going to choose? But, I am certain that more than one of these will be in my future.

Update on my Christmas Elf Hat: Yes, I’m still knitting away at this project. Just like the last time I did this pattern, it’s looking like I’ll be done by the end of this month or maybe early February. I should know not to start my Christmas knitting in November because no matter how hard I try, it will never be done in time. But, I hope to be posting a finished photo soon! Wish me luck. Maybe a good stint of knitting this weekend will be all that’s needed; I’ve been decreasing away and the rounds are going much more quickly now.

New Stuff in the Knitting Bag!

It’s been a mundane Saturday at my house. But, perhaps I’ve needed one. My DH let me sleep in til 11:30 this morning. I can’t remember the last time I did that! I got quite a bit of knitting done on my scarf in progress, but I am not going to show you that. Let’s just say it now looks like it’s going to be a scarf when it grows up, but realistically, there’s no chance in you-know-where that it’s going to be done by next Sunday. So instead, I thought I would show you some of my latest knitting-related acquisitions. First, I’ll start off with a wonderful new book I got while at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival this year.

Everything Old is New Again for Baby

This adorable little book, Vintage Baby Knits: More Than 40 Heirloom Patterns from the 1920s to the 1950s is really no little knitting book. It contains a plethora of patterns for babies. My mother had some old knitting books from the 50s in her collection–I remember reading them and not understanding a thing about what they were trying to tell me to do. Many years later, I of course became a knitter, and you know what? I went looking for those patterns, and was dismayed to discover that I still didn’t understand them. This book attempts to solve that problem. The author, Kristen Rengren, is a lover of vintage knits and has translated some classic baby wear designs from decades past into modern knitting language and modern yarns.

The photographs in the book are just too adorable for words; who could resist all of the adorable wee babes wearing beautiful knitwear?

There are many cardigans to choose from, and cute little booties and soakers, and pullovers and blankets, and an adorable hat or two. There are even some toys tucked in there, so just about everything you could ever want to knit for a baby is contained within the pages. An adorable sailor sweater and classic argyle are among the vintage looks… and lots of lacy, delicate little things that just make it so fun to dress the little one. There’s even a gorgeous christening gown, that maybe if I start it now, I’ll be done by the time my 13-year-old daughter becomes a mother (sometime in her 30s, of course!).

I see that Amazon has this book for a very reasonable price, so if you love to knit baby things, go get this book now! You won’t regret it. I paid list price, but I don’t mind. I got to meet the author at the festival, and see? Mine is signed:

You Spin Me Right Round

Also while at the festival I bought one of these:

It’s a drop spindle by Golding and it is a beautiful thing. Now, I’ve tried my hand at drop spindling a couple of times, and I haven’t had much luck with it yet. I bought some practice roving at the festival for a very good price, and I’m going to learn how to spin if it kills me. Why, do you ask, am I so thusly determined? Well, wouldn’t YOU be determined if THIS was waiting for you???

Uh huh. I thought so. When I start something, I dive in with both feet. I wasn’t content just to have my little inexpensive scratchy roving. I needed an incentive, and this is it. It’s a Lorna’s Laces Wool Top Roving in the “Purple Iris” colorway. It is SO soft. I’m half tempted to stick some wiggle eyes on it and call it a stuffed animal and let it be. Who am I to think I can make some pretty yarn out of that? I hope I can do it some bit of justice. Meanwhile I’ll practice away on my gray Icelandic roving. I’m sure my yarn will have some interesting textures, but isn’t that half the fun?

Meanwhile, I’ve got a scarf to finish. Better run. See you soon!

Listen to this article

Everyone Knows It’s Wendy*

This afternoon I got a raised eyebrow from my teen daughter as she espied yet another Amazon box on my porch. “ANOTHER book, Mom? Really!” she groaned. She raised her eyebrows again when I told her I’d been waiting for this book for six months.

I lied. When I logged into Amazon tonight, I got a quick reminder flag at the top of the browser, reminding me that I’d already ordered this title, in JULY. Way more than six months ago. This was more like waiting for a baby to arrive.

But let me tell you, when I finally got to unwrap my long-awaited copy of Socks from the Toe Up: Essential Techniques and Patterns from Wendy Knits, I was not disappointed. The photos are stunning and numerous. The illustrations are clear, and the writing makes the techniques described in the book incredibly easy to follow.

I do have to ‘fess up and say, if you don’t know this about me already, I’m reeeeeeaaaallllly not a sock knitter. I’ve made one pair in my life, and it was done as a tutorial, so that I could wrap my head around how socks are made. I think the primary reason for my being a not-sock-knitter is that, well, I wear orthotics on my legs and so I don’t wear anything more than knee-high hose. So the big reward of knitting socks has never been there for me.

So why did I buy this book? Well, if I were a sock knitter? I’d knit them all from the toe up. So at least I can imagine myself making these. The whole idea of top-down socks is a major turnoff for some reason. So the patterns in this book are at least speaking my language. Second, with only a few exceptions, nearly everyone I love has feet, so making socks for someone else certainly is a thought I can entertain. Third, the socks in this book are so PRETTY! For someone who hasn’t ever really knit socks, I do have quite a collection of sock yarn, so these gorgeous patterns fit the bill. They embrace techniques that I love and want to learn more about. They’re simply lovely.

There’s a lot of variety in there, too. Everything from basic socks (to help one learn th techniques), to simple lace, then complex lace, interesting textures, Ganseys, cables and more. All toe up. Simply wonderful.

Well done, Wendy! You might just make a sock knitter out of me yet.

*with apologies for the only semi-unintentional earworm that this post title might have caused…

Listen to this article

Next Page »