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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Knitting Nanook by Lisa Kartus Chapter 3
Chapter 3: Resolution
All stories have an introduction, rising action, an epiphany or aha! moment and then exposition where the author explains it all to you. I love a good mystery novel and, really, any good story has to have mystery or why would you turn the page? You want to know more, you want to know what happens next.
So for me every new knitting project begins as a mystery story. I test drive the yarn + pattern and figure out the fit. But then somewhere along the line I get to try something new. For Nanook it was working the sleeves after the collar and shoulders but before the body.
If you’ve ever knit a top-down sweater you come to expect to work in this order:
1) neckline
2) yoke
3) put sleeve caps on holders
4) work the body from armholes to hem all in one piece.
5) Then go back and work the sleeves in the round from shoulder to cuff.
It’s just standard top-down design.
Nanook’s designer (whom I think of familiarly as Heidi K since I’ve now knit two of her designs) said no, we’re going to make the sleeves first. Really? Why? That got my attention. That was the mystery of this project, the reason to turn to the next page to find out what happens. So with collar and shoulders done I put aside the sweater and read the rest of the pattern. And loved Heidi K’s thinking. Now I had to try it for myself. My husband will attest to the fact that my nose seemed to be buried in indigo cotton knitting for the next few days.
Did the sleeves work?
1) stay tuned for Chapter 4
2) try on the finished sweater (I surrendered it for display at String Theory, though Janet just about had to pry it out of my hands — this is one comfortable sweater)
3) sign up for Nanook class and your own epiphany.
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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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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Knitting Nanook by Lisa Kartus: Chapter 1
Everything we knit can’t help but have a story — inspiration, planning, resolution, finished project.
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Golden Needle Awards 2013
Golden Needle Awards 2013
Sunday, February 24
12 – 4pm
Every year in the spirit of the Academy Awards, we like to recognize the achievements of our very own String Theory community with our Golden Needle Awards.
Enter to Win
This year we will be offering awards in the following categories:
Best Accessory (hat, mitten, bag, socks)
Best Sweater
Best Scarf/Shawl/Wrap
Best Toy
Best Baby/Child item
Best Crocheted item
Best of Show
Rules
1. All entries must be received by noon on Sunday, February 24th. Feel free to drop your entry off during the week, if that works better for your schedule.
2. All entries must be made with yarn available at String Theory. (Ideally people will be inspired by your work and buy the yarn to make their own masterpiece.)
3. You can enter as many items as you like.
4. If possible, we would like to display all entries until Sunday, March 3.
Voting
Voting is done by the Academy — which consists of every person walking into String Theory Yarn Company on Sunday February 24 — (yes children, spouses, grandparents, friends, etc. may vote even if they don’t knit) . Even though we are located near Chicago, we are requesting that you fill out just one ballot per person.
Votes are tabulated at 3:30 PM (when the voting closes) and winners are announced as soon as we can tablulate the votes — you do NOT have to be present to win. However, if you are not there, that means we will miss your acceptance speech and the opening of your award. There are inexpensive but treasured prizes for each category.
Red Carpet Walk at 1:30pm
Half the fun of the Academy Awards is to see what people are wearing. So even if you don’t want to enter for an award, we hope you will wear your knitwear (or your grandmother’s or bring in a baby with a knitted hat you made). Since there are no prizes for the Red Carpet, there are no rules either.
Want to see what happened last year? Check out our slideshow.
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Beneficial Birds
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Free Ravelry Classes in January
We are huge fans of Ravelry and think you should be too. 
Whether you use it to search for the perfect pattern, keep track of your stuff or post progress on your projects, Ravelry is an incredible resource.
To help you get the most out of Ravelry, we are teaching two FREE classes in January.
Intro to Ravelry
Tuesday, January 8th
7 – 8pm
In this class, we will walk your through the basics. We’ll show you how to set up an account, how to find patterns and how to post your own projects.
Ravelry Tips and Tricks
Tuesday, January 29th
7 – 8pm
If you find Ravelry a little overwhelming, this class is for you. We’ve got several tips for finding exactly what you want on Ravelry.
Both classes will be held at the Glen Ellyn Public Library. Space is limited, so call the store to register: 630 469-6085
This is a hands on class, so bring your laptop or iPad. We have laptops available if you need one, just let us know when you register.
Lots of great classes start in January. You can learn to fix mistakes, to make mittens, read a chart, Tunisian crochet and much more.
Check all the details for our January schedule here. February – March coming soon.
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Holiday Hours
Holiday Schedule:
Monday, December 24: Closed
Tuesday, December 25: Closed
Wednesday – Sunday: Open as usual
Monday, December 31: Closed
Tuesday, January 1: Closed
We wish you peace, joy and a little knitting time this holiday season!
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