Summer Scarves
More finished projects to share:
Ellen knit the Rose Garden shawl from two skeins of Cascade Ultra Pima. The patterns is free from Cascade Yarns. We have it on display for a little while. Come by and see.
Jan finished her Shibui Linen scarf a while ago, but I forgot to post it. I love the color combination she chose!
My mom just finished her Before and After Scarf by Churchmouse Yarns. It just takes one skein of Silky Alpaca Lace from Classic Elite.
Notice the way she used a variety of beads for the edging. So cool!
A summer scarf is the perfect project for this time of year.
Need a really easy pattern? Try this one.
Whether you are knitting at Little League or on the porch after a couple of hours in the garden, every day benefits from a little meditative knitting.
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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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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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Knitting Nanook by Lisa Kartus Chapter 2
Nanook in Rowan Savannah
Chapter 2: Planning Nanook
All I ever want to do is plunge in when it comes to a new knitting project. New yarn, new design = time to play. Like when we used to get new crayon colors when we were kids.
You, too, right?
But I really want a sweater to fit so when I’m all done I can wear it. Honorary daughter Veronika calls this “wearing my trophies.”
Fit takes a bit of planning. Not a lot, just a little elementary-school arithmetic. You need to make a gauge swatch to get to the basic number of stitches per inch. For a one-piece top-down sweater like Nanook, I knit a largish swatch for gauge. And got the 4.5 sts per inch (18 sts/ 4″) that the pattern specified. Then I chose my size based on how I like my sweaters to fit, i.e. with a couple of inches of ease around the bust.
MA wanted the same ease but a larger size. Her swatch revealed a stitch gauge of 4 sts per inch (16 sts/ 4″). That’s 1.125 times the pattern’s specified gauge of 4.5 sts/ inch. I found that this way: 4.5 sts divided by 4 sts = 1.125.
To determine which size instructions MA should follow I multiplied 1.25 times the specified bust measurements for Nanook’s different sizes until I found the one that would fit MA. Which happened to be the same size as I made. So we are both following the same set of instructions but MA’s sweater will be bigger because her yarn is thicker than mine and her stitches are bigger.
Her Rowan Savannah version is coming out just gorgeous. The picture above is of the collar and shoulder (or yoke) — the fullness in the center stockinette section is the shoulder.
Nanook’s designer came up with a novel shoulder design that fits any shoulder width, narrow to wide, because it’s a top-down version of a saddle shoulder. This version is so easy that you don’t realize you’re shaping the shoulder until you try on the yoke. So cool. I love it when a designer rethinks a standard technique.
Note: Lisa’s adventures with this sweater have inspired a knitting class which runs Tuesday Evenings 7:00 – 8:30 May 7, May 14, May 28, June 11 and June 25. Give us a call or stop in to register.
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Show and Tell
It has been a great week for show and tell.
Suzanne finished two beautifully crocheted cowls in Classic Elite Vail and Misti Babymeboo.
Judy just learned to knit and already she is embellishing. I love this idea.
Kathy double stranded Spud & Chloe Sweater for this adorable Leaf Blanket. Finished just in time for her newest grandchild.
Sarah has been a finishing fiend lately, but her latest was this cozy cowl made from Misti Qolla.
Stop by and show us your finished projects. We love show and tell!
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And the Winners are….
Best in Show winner Jan Jones
The winners of the 2013 String Theory Golden Needle Awards are:
1. Best Accessory — Lynette Larson for her Entralac bag
2. Best Sweater — Julie Ashley for Lalique in Blue Heron yarn
3. Best Scarf/Shawl Wrap — Tim Barnes for his Firelight Shawl in Sea Silk
4. Best Toy — Cindy Perrine for her bunny
5. Best Crochet — we had a tie: Cindy Perrine won for her blue shawl and Tobi Davis for the her vest
6. BEST IN SHOW — Jan Jones for her amazing fair isle dress.
Congratulations to all who participated! The entries were fabulous and the voting was very close.
All entries will be on display until Sunday, March 3.
More pictures and pattern references coming soon.
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Scarf Market: Today through December 29
String Theory’s Scarf Market is now open! Thank you to everyone that donated a scarf. We have a beautiful selection.
Please spread the word:
Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, String Theory sells scarves that have been knit, crocheted, (even woven) and donated by you. In the last three years, we’ve raised $13,000 and supported PADS, People’s Resource Center and Family Shelter Services. 
This year, the money we raise will go to the DuPage Homeownership Center a local organization that:
- Helps prevent foreclosures
- Increases housing opportunities for working families
- Assists cash-strapped senior homeowners in maintaining their independence
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Pretty, Pretty Things
I was looking for a picture the other day and I found several that I’d forgotten to post. We get to see so many fantastic finished projects at String Theory. Here are just a few to share with you. Enjoy!
Betty knit this blanket out of Spud and Chloe Sweater. It just makes me happy to look at!
Sara made this Hoody out of Spud and Chloe Sweater. The pattern is from Knitting Pure and Simple – top down, no seams. I love the details: the tassel on the hood, the stripes, even the buttons are perfect!
Jody’s Knit 101 class finished their mitts! Even the simplest pattern looks great when you use beautiful yarn. Very impressive ladies!
Kristin’s sweater is done! It fits her perfectly!. The pattern is Yin Yang Bolero from Knit One Crochet Too. Kristin made it out of Ty-Dy Cotton. If you want a similar look for Fall, try Classic Elite’s Liberty.
Isn’t this baby hat adorable? Diane made it from Skacel’s Trekking. I love the twisted detail on the brim!
Need more inspiration? Come to our Fall Fashion Show this weekend. There are still some tickets for Saturday. Check here for details. We’ll show you lots and lots of pretty, pretty things.
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