Two more for the road

I wanted to show you a couple photos of the Mixed Tide shawl in the Stitches West Fashion Show. What a thrill it was to see it on stage, modeled so beautifully. Look at that drape.


Mixed Tide in the Stitches West Fashion Show
Photo courtesy of XRX.


Mixed Tide in the Stitches West Fashion Show
Photo courtesy of XRX.

After SW, I was motivated to finish the project I had on the needles, the Mixed Tide for me. This one is also worked in Valley Yarns Colrain Lace in Grey Olive, a cone that I purchased at Stitches West 2008. Working from stash FTW!
Here's the obligatory "before blocking" photo:


Mixed Tide before blocking

And here's the blocking photo--notice the curved shape of the shawl. That's achieved by constantly decreasing at the top edge, working in a few short rows on either side of the "points", and staggering the bottom edge so each point is lower than the last.


Mixed Tide, blocking

Wendy was kind enough to model the shawl at Spinnity's spin-in this month. The funny thing about that is, Wendy has modeled my shawls before and each time she has just happened to wear a solid colored top in a contrasting color that was perfect for showing off the stitch pattern. We don't coordinate before hand, it just happens. Simpatico.


Mixed Tide shawl
Project details on Ravelry


Mixed Tide shawl

Last but not least, here is a photo of the prototype for Mixed Tide. It is worked in Universal Yarn's FibraNatura Whisper Lace, a lovely Merino/silk. The wedges are worked in alternating colors of Natural and Cloudy Morning. This is the piece where I worked out the decrease rates, the increases, and the points. There's a bit of wonkiness in the beginning, but it all worked out in the end. I just wish I looked a little happier in the photo, lol.


Mixed Tide prototype
Project details on Ravelry
Photo courtesy of Universal Yarn.

Introducing the Mixed Tide Shawl

ETA: Mixed Tide is available on the WEBS web site:
Buy the pattern from WEBS
Mixed Tide pattern on Ravelry
Mixed Tide Blog Post on WEBS

I am happy to introduce to you the Mixed Tide Shawl, designed for the WEBS 40th Anniversary celebration. The shawl is worked in Colrain Lace, a blend of Merino wool and Tencel that has a beautiful drape and a subtle shimmer. The seafoam stitch pattern is at the heart of Mixed Tide, with decreases along one edge and short rows and rounded points on the other, resulting in a gently curved shawl.


Mixed Tide Shawl

Look for Mixed Tide in the Stitches West Fashion Show tomorrow night. You can find the pattern in the WEBS booth (404, 406, 408, 410, 412, 503, 505, 507, 509, 511) and it will be available for purchase from the WEBS web site soon.

I stopped by the WEBS booth at the Stitches West Marketplace preview to meet Kirsten Hipsky who was kind enough to tech edit the pattern before leaving for the show. She greeted me with a smile and showed me the pattern--the first time I saw it with in print. How exciting!

I had to take a photo of Kirsten with the pattern.


Kirsten and the Mixed Tide Shawl pattern

Special thanks to Kathy and Steve for giving me this opportunity. Happy Anniversary!

Related posts --
Must See at Stitches West: My short list of "must see" vendors.
Stitches West 2014 Discount Coupon: 50% off Stitches West Coupon
Coming soon: Stitches West 2014: Passport Game and Marketplace maps, updated 2/15/2014

Stitches West 2014
Feb 20-23
Market Hours
Friday 10am to 6pm
Saturday 10am to 6pm
Sunday 10am to 4pm
Santa Clara Convention Center
Santa Clara, CA

Hey, I finished something

Timba hats


Timba hats

8 things actually.

These are for the annual craft faire at work in a couple of weeks. If they don't sell, guess what everyone's getting for Christmas?

Just kidding. Maybe.

Introducing Timba

Timba
Free pattern download [PDF]

Timba is a design that was inspired by a woman who was passionate about the fiber arts. She often brought crochet projects to our local knit/crochet circle and was genuinely interested in and supportive of all who attended.

She recently lost her battle with breast cancer and her stash yarn is being used to make scarves, hats, and booties for a local organization that provides support to people touched by breast cancer.

Timba is a hat that I think she would like and was made possible through her stash yarn. The organization will be receiving a number of these hats to distribute.

Timba is worked from the bottom up and has a half double crochet brim that gently slopes to the body of the hat.

Size
Adult

Finished measurements
Hat circumference (excluding brim):
20 inches relaxed

Materials
1 skein Plymouth Yarns, Encore Colorspun Worsted (75% Acrylic, 25% Wool; 100 gm / 200 yd), Color 7139
1 crochet hook 5.5mm/I
Tapestry needle

Free pattern download [PDF]

Warning: This hat pattern may be habit forming.

Okay, maybe it's just me and maybe it's because I'm avoiding the other projects I have in progress but I'm working on my 5th Timba.

Or maybe it's because Timba is so quick to make. The other weekend, we went to SF to see Shakespeare in the Park. I started a Timba in the car on the drive up. By the time the cast was taking their final bows, the hat was finished and on my head. I estimate that it took less than 5 hours of actual crocheting time. It's not quite instant gratification, but in the world of knitting and crocheting, it's pretty close.

I'm fond of this cloche shape. I think it's flattering and surprise surprise, it's a hat that I enjoy wearing! You see, I'm not really a hat person because I don't think I look good in hats... but now that I've discovered this style, you may see me in a cloche now and then.

I can't end this blog post without mentioning Karen, without whom this pattern would not exist. We lost Karen to breast cancer this year. Her stash yarn is being used to make hats, scarfs, and booties for the Breast Cancer Connection in Palo Alto. Karen was an avid crocheter and it's fitting to have the first Timba go to the Breast Cancer Connection in her memory.

Last but not least, thanks to Abigail, Christina, Emy, Laura, and Tina who tested the pattern and made it better through their feedback and suggestions.

Okay, enough talk. I need to get back to #5.

Doberman + Knitting = OMG!

Remember this hand-dyed fiber and yarn?


Superwash BFL


First bobbin


400 yds Light Fingering Wt

It was working up beautifully on my trusty 2.25mm dpns.


Bone Dry sock

"was working up beautifully..."

After a quick trip to the store, we came back to a distressing sight (which actually looked worse before I gathered it up for the photo). My heart sank.


Uh oh

Here's the culprit.


Aries

He's a good dog but I had no idea he was so interested in knitting. He took the project out of the ziploc bag, removed all the needles, broke 3 of them and put teeth marks in the other two. Losing the needles was a drag since I don't have another set with me, but even more upsetting was seeing all that lovely handspun in disarray.

We're visiting family so I called yarn stores in the area to see who might have some replacement needles and lucked out--one store in the area had #1 dpns and they happened to be Lantern Moon Rosewood. The dog owner purchased them for me. I told her that wasn't necessary since I should have put the knitting away, but she insisted.


Replacement needles

I'm happy to report that the yarn is rewound and wasn't damaged much--there was one broken ply and it wasn't horribly tangled.


Back in the saddle

Whew, that could have been much worse. Lesson learned.

Purple?

I wonder if there's anyone I know who might be interested in tone-on-tone purple Superwash BFL? Hmmm... let me think...


Big pot o' purple

TdF update

I've been spinning every day of the Tour, some days more than others. But using the fast flyer, it adds up quickly--to date I've spun a total of 9.5 ounces of fiber.

4 oz of Out of Step Dyeworks Superwash Merino/Bamboo:


Dagon 3-ply Fingering Wt

and 5.5 oz Superwash BFL that I dyed (this is 5.3 oz, the rest is on the wheel):


Potluck - Cobbler

I'd like to finish the 3rd bobbin of the BFL and ply it all before the tour ends, but realistically that probably won't happen. Next week will be a busy one. That's okay, spinning close to 12 oz of local/indie dyed fiber and getting to know my fast flyer will mean I've met my goals. Keep those wheels turning!

Potluck anyone?

I've been trying my hand at dyeing, some of which I've blogged about, most of which I haven't. I tried hot pour dyeing last weekend. It sounded easy enough--heat up some fiber in water, add colors, poke, cook, cool, rinse, done.

8 oz of fiber + heat + dye:


Hot pour dyeing

The results were less than thrilling. Trust me, they look better in braids.


Potluck - Cobbler


Potluck - Cobbler

I didn't realize that the yellow traveled to the bottom of the pot and spread farther than I intended. The top bump is heavy yellow/red and the bottom bump is heavy yellow/blue. My first thought was, "Overdye." But then I thought if I made a 3-ply with all 8 ounces, it could turn into something I like.

Stage 7 of Tour de Fleece Stage is promising. Most of Bobbin 1 looks like this (with more yellow):



But the end of the bobbin looks like this:


Bobbin 1 of 3

This might work. If it doesn't, I can always throw it back into the dye pot, right?

On your mark, get set...

Bone Dry bobbins


Bone Dry 3-ply


400 yds Light Fingering Wt

I guess love’s like a kind of star
You wish and wonder 'cause it seems so far
You get to feeling like a kid at the end of long line
You can’t change anybody else
You don’t know what you only guess
and faith is something for thirsty fools t’ hang onto
    --Bone Dry, The Roger Steen Band

The training is over, all of the bobbins are empty, and I have one day of rest before the start of the Tour de Fleece.

The heat is on

The second bobbin of Bone Dry is done--I need to finish the third bobbin and ply the yarn before Saturday, the start of Tour de Fleece.


Bone Dry

A beautiful Sunday

Today was a beautiful day--sunny and warm with a nice breeze.

The morning started with plying Daughter of the Sea:


Daughter of the Sea


Daughter of the Sea
320 yds 3-ply fingering wt


Daughter of the Sea
320 yds 3-ply fingering wt

Then we spent the afternoon at the Picchetti Winery in Cupertino listening to jazz outside:


Bill Walker & Roger Steen at the Picchetti Winery

We had a table of knitters and friends who spent the afternoon visiting, making loops with yarn, and enjoying the music. I finished the BSJ with i-cord buttons and wove in all the ends. It's ready to be mailed to baby Evelyn:


Evelyn's Pink Granite BSJ
Project details on Ravelry


Evelyn's Pink Granite BSJ

BSJ mods--
Made the neck opening a little bigger by binding off 2 additional sts at the beg of those 2 rows. For the buttonbands, I worked 3 ridges then launched into a 3 st i-cord edging adding buttonholes where the i-cord meets the sweater. Edged the cuffs with 3 st i-cord and picked up sts and made 3 st i-cord knotted buttons.

Jazz and an FO--it was an enjoyable afternoon. But next time (July 11), I'll put on sunscreen. Ouchie!

BFL love

I forgot how nice BFL is to spin--I love the long staple length.


Daughter of the Sea

No rest for the Lendrum

Daughter of the Sea

Creature of the black lagoon
hiding bags of gold doubloons
Serpentine in turpentine
holding on this love of mine
Ocean beach is home to her
pounding waves of foam I hear
Making wild horses manes
painting the girl insane
    --Daughter of the Sea, The Roger Steen Band

I love how Daughter of the Sea is spinning up--I just hope the resulting 3-ply is just as pretty. 1 bobbin down, 2 to go.

7th Veil

The head-sized ball of Superwash BFL that I bought from from Carolina Homespun at Stitches West is naked no more.


1 lb Superwash BFL

On Sunday I took out the dye stock that I had mixed up from the Mother MacKenzie's Miracle Dye Mix and went to work.


Mother MacKenzie's Miracle Dye Mix

I glugged together various colors in squeeze bottles (very scientific, huh?). Fortunately or not, that means that some of these colors are not easily reproducible. In my mind, they're "one of a kind".


Winging it

I was only able to dye one bump at a time so every time I laid out a fresh hunk of fiber I had a clean slate. What I find very funny (and perhaps revealing) is that I didn't remember what I had dyed before so I ended up with 2 bumps that are very close in colorway and another 2 bumps that are also closely related, but both pairs are very different. Schizophrenic much?


Love Me Baby


Bone Dry


Daughter of the Sea


7th Veil

Each bump is ~120 gms. I considered (4 x 100 gms) + 80 gms, but an 80 gm bump wasn't something I was excited about so I went with more = better.

Naming these was difficult until I thought of a theme last night at band rehearsal. Why not name them after RSB songs? Also if I continue with that thinking then maybe (just maybe) I won't always end up with the same 2 colorway families.

More fiber! More fiber!