Jellyfish Knits and Other Fibery Goodness

NaKniSweMo 2011

Posted on November 4, 2011 by Hillary

It’s November and once again I’m going to attempt to knit a sweater in a month for National Knit a Sweater Month (NaKniSweMo). In 2009, I attempted the Honeybee Cardigan and failed. I got pretty far, but didn’t finish until March of 2010. In 2010, I decided that I would finish a sweater and start a sweater in the month. My Camber cardigan got finished and I cast on for my Vivian. I call that a success!

This year I started the B-Side Cardigan by Laura Chau. I bought the pattern last winter when she had a holiday sale and it’s been waiting to get cast on. The yarn I’m using is Valley Yarns Superwash DK. I knit Brendan a hat out of it earlier this year and really enjoyed working with it. I picked up a sweater’s worth last December when my yarnfriends and I took our yearly pilgrimage to Webs.

My swatch, and first few rows knit.

In preparation, I swatched last weekend to check my gauge and try to get any issues worked out so I could jump right in when November 1st rolled around. When I washed my swatch it grew a lot. Lots and lots and lots. I didn’t see how many stitches I got pre-wash so I can’t tell you how much exactly. I got 18.5 sts to 4″ on US4 needles. The pattern says 24 sts to 4″. Huge difference! I did like the fabric, so I then did the math to see what size to follow.

What I did was decide what size I want, divide that by 4 inches and multiply that by how many sts per inch I was getting to see approximately how many sts to cast on. It looks something like this (46/4)x18.5 = 212.75sts to CO. The size 36″ has a cast on of 214sts, so I will be following the stitch counts and pattern directions for that. I then measured myself every place the schematic lists to see which size to follow for things like the length of the armhole, bottom ribbing, sleeve cap, etc. I’ll be using the 44″ size for that.

I only have a few rows knit so far because I was busy finishing up a gift for a friend. More on that later.

Happy yarning!

Posted in knitting | Tagged knitting, mathing, nakniswemo2011 | 2 Comments

Since we last met

Posted on November 1, 2011 by Hillary

I’ve knit some things:

1 mini sock for my sock blocker keychain:

I’ve spun some things:

Silk top bought atWoolbearers in NJ:

BFL purchased at the Garden State Sheep Breeders Festival in 2010:

Targhee purchased from Zarzuela’s Fibers:

Romney from a fleece purchased at the Garden State Sheep Breeders Festival in 2010:

Bamboo/sparkle and something batt from a friend at Rhinebeck on my new Bosworth Mini Walnut spindle:

Dyed things:

Pre Massachusetts Sheep & Wool:

Silk top and some yarn waiting to get rinsed:

Custom sweater lot with a random green skein of laceweight:

And I’ve launched my shop!

There! More details will be included in future posts.. I hope you don’t mind an overview of my fiber life in photos!

Until next time…

Posted in dyeing, knitting, spinning | Tagged "Garden State Sheep Breeders Festival", dye, dyeing, jellyfish, NJS&W, Ravelympics, spinning, Vivian, yarns! | 2 Comments

Saroyan

Posted on March 12, 2011 by Hillary

Two weeks ago I finished my Handspun Saroyan, blocked it and gave it to my sister who was in town for a conference.

I have to say, I’m impressed at how nicely it blocked out. Magic!

She loves it and it looks great!

Posted in knitting, spinning | Leave a comment

A hat, a vest and a kerfuffle walk into a bar

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Hillary

Well maybe not into a bar, but perhaps I should go have a drink after getting three projects finished 5 weeks into the new year.

First up is the Green Light Special hat that I made for Brendan. I added an extra repeat at the top before starting the crown decreases by trying to match up a section of the chart. A second added repeat may may been a good idea though. Next time it gets washed, I’ll block it a bit longer. Brendan loves it and put it on his head still damp, wore it all that day and any chance he gets. All in all, I’m very pleased with my first attempt at stranded colorwork.

Pattern: Red Light Special by Jared Flood
Yarn: Valley Yarns Superwash DK in 4 colors and for the lining, I used a bit of a small sock flat that I dyed that was laying in arms reach when I cast on.

Next up is the vest that I made for my dad. I really wanted to get this done for his birthday in November, and then maybe for Chanukah in December. That didn’t work out, but he seems to like it and it fits well. I really like the yarn and am very pleased that it’s available in Chunky (Not that I’m already using it or anything.) and just recently it became available in DK weight. As for broken rib stitch, I could go for a while without using it.

Pattern: The Professor Vest by Elizabeth Morrison
Yarn: Berroco Vintage

Lastly, two weeks ago I decided that I need a hand knit neck thing. I went to my stash and the first thing that jumped out was this hanspun silky cashmerino dyed by Fluff Fibers.
It’s gorgeous and soft and about about 250yds at 16wpi. I was inspired by a shawlette that I saw and set off to make my own version. My first attempt ended up looking like underpants or some weird loin cloth, so I frogged and started again.

A Kerfuffle is born! Named by my friend Jess at knit night last week, this kerfuffle grew and grew until I finished it this week at knit night. I’m pleased and plan on giving it a light blocking at some point. There are basic notes of what I did on my Ravelry project page and perhaps I’ll write it up properly in the future. There’s something very satisfying about watching fiber turn into yarn and then into a finished item.

If you’ll excuse my strange expressions in these pictures, you’ll see how I’ve been wearing it.

Posted in knitting, spinning | Tagged fluff, hat, kerfuffle, Silky Cashmerino, vest | 2 Comments

2010 FOs – Better late than never!

Posted on February 4, 2011 by Hillary

For having been a Knitter with a capital “K” for 2 and a half years, I’ve come a long way. This last year has been fantastic. My local knit/crochet group has grown closer and in size. Honestly, without them I doubt I would have the courage to attempt some of the projects I’ve completed or feel like I can make anything no matter what the difficulty level.

I finished 18 knit projects in 2010. That’s 1.5 projects a month. That’s impressive!

10 pairs of socks (well.. 9.5 really)

Is that a cable in your sock or …?

Squished Socks for Elizabeth

Majestic Tyrians

These be walkin’ socks

February Maidens in May

It’s a mystery that they’re not fargyle!

Itty bitty sock

Glynis

Classic Baltimore Congo socks

Addicting Rainbow Jaywalkers

3 Sweaters

Blue Honeybee

Rhinebeck Lia cuz I’m crazy!

Cambering Orchard

2 Shawls

Shipwrecked in Noroland for the Ravelympics!

Handspun Arrowhead

2 Hats

Snappy Boss’ hat

Handspun Spiral Hat

And a pair of sleeve cuffs

Coat cuff extensions

And there you have it!

Posted in knitting | 1 Comment

Adventures in dyeing

Posted on February 3, 2011 by Hillary

Have I mentioned that I’m slowly starting do to custom dye work?

One of the ladies in my knit group acquired yarn from a friend that has sheep. We are unsure of the breed though. There were 4 skeins of a worsted-ish weight ranging from 105yds to 120yds. I was given the freedom to dye a color similar to those I’ve done recently. That would be the blue-green-teal family. This is my first time trying to get the same color on a larger lot. I’m pleased with the results.

Here they are reskeined and waiting to go home:

It looks like I’ve picked up another dye job, too! A friend of mine is knitting a Barn Raising Quilt and is looking for different colors of fingering weight yarn in smaller quantities. This is along the lines of an idea I had for dyeing small skeins for colorwork. Naturally I volunteered to work with her on colors and skein size. I’ll be doing at least 4 100yd (25g or so) skeins with a fair amount of color freedom.

I’m getting there slowly, but surely!

Posted in dyeing | Tagged dyeing, jellyfeet | 1 Comment

Quickly, what have you been doing?

Posted on December 27, 2010 by Hillary

Some things I’ve been keeping busy with:

I started the Professor Vest for my dad’s birthday being that there was a CPW meetup in Athens, NY that day and that I gave my mom a handspun shawl for her birthday. Uhm.. Two months later it’s still on the needles. I’m at the top of the first front and am not sure why I’ve put it aside. I love the yarn (Berroco Vintage in Douglas Fir, I think) and fabric it’s making.

My Camber was completed in the beginning of November (Project page link). I decided to make a long sleeved version with a bit of the lace detail on the cuffs. It worked out perfectly with some help from Jesh. It’s quite convenient to be friends with the designer! Knit with Knit Picks Stroll in Granny Smith.

I was having a love/hate relationship with the buttons. Love them, but they just weren’t working out on this sweater. I’m in the process of taking off the buttons to change them to other smaller ones.

I started a Vivian in Berroco Vintage Chunky – colorway Dunagaree (I said I love this yarn, didn’t I?) after Thanksgiving. It’s an addictive knit and I’ve only allowed myself to knit on it here and there as a reward for making progress on something else or as a mood enhancer. Totally helped me stay sane while there were 4 children running around the house last Sunday. I’m about halfway up the sleeve. The picture only shows a little past the cuff. It looks a lot like a dinosaur foot to me.
Link to my project page

Also, there has been spindle spinning on my Jenkins Kuchulu! The batt was carded by Jesh from some silk, merino, BFL, silk sheep that I dyed along with a few other fibers. Isn’t the color just perfect?! The picture shows about half spun up. In reality, I’m about 3/4 through.

Posted in knitting, spinning | Tagged jellyfish, knit-all-the-things!, projects, spinning, Vivian | 1 Comment

Rhinebeck Bingo, you say?

Posted on October 11, 2010 by Hillary

What is Rhinebeck Bingo? If you are attending the New York Sheep and Wool Festival (a.k.a. Rhinebeck), you can choose to be a square (where the players try to find you if you’re on their card) or a player (you try to find the people that chose to be squares) or both! It’s a fun way to meet people and get hugs from strangers where it’s a perfectly acceptable thing to do. Thank you Stitchy McYarnpants for organizing it! There’s also a group on Ravelry here with information and introductions of the other players.

This will be my first time participating. Here’s a little bit about how to spot me. I’ll be wearing my almost finished Rhinebeck Lia (bad picture, I know)

one day and my Central Park Hoodie

the other.
Though if by some chance it’s warmer than sweater weather, I’ll wear my Shipwreck shawl

or if it’s cooler I’ll have a dark red cabley hat on and some brownish flip-top gloves.
If I’m not hanging out at the Holiday Yarns booth 26D, I’ll be wandering around trying not to buy everything spinning on my blue top whorl drop spindle with very blue fiber. Please don’t be shy! I plan to have candy!

Posted in Fiber Festival, knitting | Tagged knit-all-the-things!, Rhinebeck2010, yarnover | Leave a comment

Sneaky, sneaky, Rhinebeck

Posted on September 30, 2010 by Hillary

Rhinebeck is October 16th & 17th this year. In February, Jesh and I made our reservation at the Hampton Inn figuring we’d find a couple more friends to stay with us to make the room affordable. We’re going up Friday and staying through Monday so we’re not all rush, rush, tired, tired Sunday night.

Fast forward to early September when we haven’t found roommates yet. Eventually after lots of failed attempts at convincing members of our local group to stay, we got Lindsey and her friend to stay with us. After much drama, it was settled. Yay!

Early September was occupied with all the NJS&W stuff with Rhinebeck looming in the distance. Then BAM! People are talking about the sweaters and other knit items they’re making to wear. No worries. No need to start something new. I was halfway through sleeve one of my Camber cardigan with plenty of time to finish and decided to start the Saroyan scarf to show off my 2nd place Wensleydale singles.

Lo and behold a new issue of Knitty appeared on the internets on Tuesday the 28th. As usual, I fought the slow servers to take a look and found the Lia pullover. Immediately, I knew that I had to knit it and for Rhinebeck, thee sneaky fiber festival that is now less than 3 weeks away. Lunchtime that day, I ran home to swatch with yarn originally intended to make Smokin’ by Jared Flood for Brendan. I made an excuse that the yarn is the wrong weight, so I should use it for this since it’s in stash and buy other yarn when the time comes.

I swatched on US9s, the recommended needle size for Valley Yarns Berkshire in color Forest.

I measured my gauge at knit night and was off. Way off! In fact so far off that I had to swatch twice more. Eventually, I got close. I’m getting 12sts to 4” on a US 11. So this means that following the directions for the largest size will/should make the size to fit me (somewhere around 44”). The fabric isn’t too open, in fact I think it’ll be perfect for a heavy sweater that I can wear all day and not take off and put on and take off, etc, etc…

Anyway, knitting with 11s feels like I’m knitting with giant kids crayons since everything else I’ve been working on is with 4s or smaller. Now I just need to knit every available moment I have in order to finish in time. Everyone has confidence in me (including the designer and a test knitter) which is a good feeling. Today at lunchtime I was able to make more progress and get up to the point where the patterning starts.

Sure, I can have it finished in two weeks… uh huh… stay tuned!

Posted in Fiber Festival, knitting | Tagged Ack!, knit-all-the-things!, Rhinebeck2010 | 1 Comment

Garden State Sheep Breeder’s Festival (9/11-9/12)

Posted on September 23, 2010 by Hillary

After a week of “vacation” from my job, I was pretty tired from standing and dyeing. I had 24 flats to sell when all was said and done. These are most of them. I left the duplicate colors out of the photographs.

I drove out the day before the festival with Jesh (she had spindles, patterns, batts and cowl kits) to get the collective booth set up. We fought with the cubes and connectors for an hour or so. After that, we each got to work setting up our own wares before adding the other goodies. We had tea from Goddess Teas. Bucket and box bags by Jessalu. More awesome box bags and other bags that I don’t know how to describe other than a rectangle with the top corners cut away (but much cooler looking) by Danielle. Hand-dyed fiber by Zarzuela’s Fibers. Phew! I think that’s it! ETA, nope! I left out Debbie with her jewelry and stitch markers by mistake.

We were concerned about not having enough merchandise and I think we filled up quite nicely!

As it seems to happen at any fiber festival, I don’t take pictures of the people just lots of animals!

Before we get to that, I made purchases. I wasn’t planning on buying much and ended up buying A LOT OF FIBER. Well.. I suppose I could have bought more… The big thing I purchased was on Saturday. I bought a gorgeous dark brown 4.5lb Romney fleece that won second place in it’s class. I brought it back to the booth to show off and promptly dropped it off with Cloudberry to be processed without saving a lock or anything. They think it’ll yield at 60% washed and prepped. Maybe I’ll get it back in time to spin up and knit a sweater for next years show!

Then Sunday I bought a pound of lovely white BFL from Breezy Meadows Farm, 4oz of combed Cormo and 4oz of combed Rambouillet from Roclans, and another 4oz of gray American Silk Sheep from Valerie Herenchak. I’m going to try my hand at dyeing the Silk Sheep and BFL eventually and maybe for the shop. The Cormo and Rambouillet will get some dye after they’re spun up. They’re a bit too prone to felting even for an experienced dyer to work with before spinning.

Anyway, I promised some animals!