Playing with Color – Meditative Knitting at its Best
I’m making progress; I have three feet of my Color Play Shawl complete and am loving every inch.
This wrap is another elegantly simple pattern from Churchmouse. What makes it a work of art is the multiple combinations of self-striping Kid Silk Haze. You pick four different colorways and double strand them throughout – “sometimes with themselves, sometimes with others”. Because of the way the yarn is wound, no two shawls will ever be the same.
photo by Jared Flood
If you are looking for the best kind of meditative knitting, this project is for you. Come in and pick out your colors and get started. I want to see what yours is going to look like.
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On the Needles
Here is just a small sampling of all the wonderful projects that I get to see every week.
Lisa N. came in to pick out buttons for her almost complete Driftwood. I love the combination of Creative Linen and Rowan Revive.
Cathy N. is working on the Sea of Dreams baby blanket in Frog Tree Pediboo. She’s participating in the Knitalong hosted on Ravelry. I love the use of a lifeline and lots of markers. This is going to be beautiful!
There has been a bit of Tunisian Crochet fever at String Theory lately. Kristen has inspired us all. She even got me to work on the swatch pictured above. I have to say that it is weirdly addictive. I may just have to start this.
For more inspiration, join our String Theory group on Ravelry. And remember to share your finished projects with the group. I love seeing what you are working on.
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Crochet at String Theory
I found a fun pattern for a crocheted potholder (Hot Button by ChickenBetty on Ravelry) and a few days later, Kristen came in with this.
She used three colors: white, medium blue and a blue multi of Ultra Pima Cotton. So cool. She had a little leftover, so she played a little with Tunisian Crochet Entrelac and came up with this dishcloth:
Kristen works at the store every Tuesday and Thursday. So if you are looking for some crochet inspiration, stop by and see what she is working on now.
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One *Cute* Baby Sweater
One Baby Sweater photographed with permission at Klose Knit
Recently I found myself in Urbana IL in need of a few calm hours of yarn store therapy. Thanks to Yelp, I discovered Klose Knit and spent a lovely time talking shop with Brigette, the absolutely charming owner. Klose Knit is full of quality yarns and lots of inspiring samples, definitely worth a stop if you are in the area.
One of the many inspirations was their “One Baby Sweater” made from one skein of Spud and Chloe Sweater, an organic blend of cotton and wool. Erika Flory, the pattern designer, describes her sweater this way:
One skein, one size, one needle, one piece, one button, one day to make: a simple, top-down cardigan with garter stitch edging that’s a fast, easy knit for the perfect last-minute baby gift.
I love the rhinestone button and the crocheted flowers in the Klose Knit version. However, the pattern is written for a newborn size, so I decided to make mine “gender neutral” so that it could be passed along between siblings.
What is your favorite baby gift to make?
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Knitting Nanook: The Epilogue
We didn’t think that we should end the story before we showed you a picture of the Nanook worn open with a drape in the front.
Such an easy style to wear.
Note:
Lisa’s adventures with this sweater have inspired a knitting class which starts next week:
Tuesday Evenings 7:00 – 8:30
May 7, May 14, May 28, June 11 and June 25
There are still a few spots left. Give us a call or stop in to register.
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Knitting Nanook: the Final Chapter
This one is a keeper. Why? Good design.
The only question I have about this sweater is why it’s called Nanook. Maybe because the ribbed lace pattern on the collar is called Bear Track? Even though the collar looks like shells?
Otherwise, this is a very thoughtfully-designed pattern.
This sweater is destined for long-term love. In no particular order, here’s why:
The design is fun to knit — just enough challenge with lots of conversation knitting thrown in. You know conversation knitting — where you can knit while talking or watching TV or listening to an audiobook. Not while driving, please, unless you’re in the passenger seat.
I can wear it unbuttoned with the fronts draping without worrying about the wrong side showing because, hey, the fronts and collar are knit in reversible stitch patterns which = good design
And that drape? Perfect. (See the Nanook Chapter 1 for more info on this.) = good design
It fits without having to rewrite the pattern = good design
Good design = the sweaters you wear and want to make again. Nanook qualifies.
Note:
Lisa’s adventures with this sweater have inspired a knitting class which starts next week: Tuesday Evenings 7:00 – 8:30 May 7, May 14, May 28, June 11 and June 25.
There are still a few spots left. Give us a call or stop in to register.
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String Theory 9th Anniversary
Anniversary Hoopla!
Saturday April 27th, we will be celebrating our 9th Anniversary. Nine years! I can hardly believe it.
We celebrate a lot at String Theory. Every week we get to celebrate a first hat, a sweater that fits, a baby blanket that has become the “blanky”, color combinations that sing and much more. If you ever need someone to be impressed with your progress, just stop by. We love show and tell!
Nine years is a milestone! It isn’t the first or the fifth or the tenth anniversary, but it is still something I’m really proud of.
Over the years we’ve been able to accomplish much of what I set out to do. We’ve sold yarn that directly supports causes I care about: organic farming, providing meaningful employment to impoverished women around the world, the survival of family owned farms in the United States, conflict resolution in the Middle East, the success of local artisans.
We’ve raised thousands of dollars for local charities. We’ve taught hundreds of people of all ages to knit and crochet. We’ve created a community that has a positive impact locally and globally. I can’t wait to see what else we can do.
I’m so lucky to have such a fabulous staff and wonderful customers that make this all possible.
So please come celebrate with us, so that I can thank you in person. Yarn and books will be 15% off. My parents have agreed to join us for special Spring Jewelry Show. And we will have cupcakes from Honey. I would love to see you!
Janet Avila
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Chemo Caps
Carol M. just sent us this picture. And here is what she wrote:
I came in a while back asking for help picking out some yarns to make a hat for a little girl who is fighting cancer. You suggested using a silk cotton blend yarn in combination with the stretchy yarn so it would stay on her head. I made complimentary hats for mom and daughter and the yarn you suggested was perfect! The girl loves it and actually wears it!
Thanks for sharing this with us Carol! It makes my day.
The yarns we suggested were Misti Pimasilk and Cascade Fixation. As much as I like wool, we recommend only cotton and silk for chemo caps. Here is another chemo cap pattern I found recently on Ravelry. It uses Rowan Softknit, a new yarn that is another great choice for sensitive scalps.
We love it when you send us pictures and stories. So keep them coming!
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Pixie Poncho
Beth just finished up this Pixie Poncho out of Spud & Chloe Sweater (worsted weight blend of cotton and wool, machine washable). Couldn’t be cuter!
We’ve got the pattern if you are interested in making one yourself. We don’t have the poncho on display, but stop by the store on a Thursday evening or Saturday and Beth will give you some pointers.
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Sit and Knit on Friday
Here’s a sampling of what the group was working on this afternoon at the shop.
Lisa finished weaving in the ends of her Cladonia (modeled by Mona). She made a couple of simple modifications to get it out of one skein of the Manos Fino.
Ellen picked out some yarn for a chevron baby blanket. She is going to do it without doubling the yarn, using a #9 needle and casting on 128 stitches. Kathy did it this way and it comes out beautifully.
Pam was working on her baby booties. The yarn is dyed to match a tie-dyed onesie. So cute!
We would love to have you join us on a Friday afternoon. Maybe we’ll see you next week.
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