Another Cowl, It Is!

I'm working on this Japanese knit pattern from Deborah

Tomasello--I think I'm addicted to this way of knitting.

You get cables without a twisting the stitches, you get lovely motifs

I'm using my handspun cotton with size 6 needle.

Pattern Cowl #46, 104--This is so much fun to knit--

I've put off knitting other patterns just to sit and do this!

I'm getting a very lacy look with the size 6 needles so I

decided to go down to #2 to see what happens.

By using #2 size needles, I'm getting a much closer knit and

I think I like the look

Notice the cable running up the middle--The question was

asked "What makes this Japanese knitting?"

1--Unlike the western use of written instructions, the Japanese use symbols and graphs for all of their knitting and crochet patterns. This means that their patterns can be read universally with no language barriers.

2--twisted stitches, manipulated stitches, wraps… where the ‘stitch’ may take several rows to be realized. Also, the Japanese knit cables have special patterns in and around, more so than more common cables with say, reverse st st around. 

3--The Japanese interpretation of knitting stitches.” Many of the stitches are similar to other stitches found in Western stitch encyclopedia’s, however, in many cases, the finished product looks just a little bit different than others. This is also the case with Estonian knitting. The Japanese tend to use mock cables to a much greater extent than most, and, often in a slightly different way, so that they create a “texture” look 

TA DA--WIP

Drum roll please!  I have a couple of WIPs--works in progress--

Our son, last fall, said to me, "mom, why haven't you made

me a quilt?"  Well, I have made him quilts--but not lately.

He said, " I've seen all the quilts you make for charity and

for my sisters--"  

I said, "I didn't know you wanted a quilt.  What design do you want?"

His answer:  A TEXAS FLAG!

Okay, easy to do--just takes many reds, blues and whites is all--

I was going to Wing the pattern, but got bogged down in the

measures etc--So, instead opted to purchase a ready printed

pattern from Aspen Tree--Am so glad I did!!

She has the applique for the stars--that would have been

a devil to figure out--there comes a time when it makes

sense to purchase a pattern--even if the design looks simple!

But, it took me six months to gather the fabrics I needed and

to actually cut and sew this flag!  Off to the quilters it goes.

The other day, I told him I'd finished his quilt and started 

to pull it out, but his reply was "no, I want to see it

when it's completely finished!"

This is one I enjoyed sewing!  Great pride in our country

and this quilt will be on display for several months

as we venture through our patriotic holidays--

I had the reds, whites and blues from the

Texas flag quilt

Here is a photo of the front of the pattern

Color for may

Just a little behind. Color for may is Green!  Are you a green lover?  Here is reasons you like green:

Green, the color of life, renewal, nature, and energy, is associated with meanings of growth, harmony, freshness, safety, fertility, and environment. Green is also traditionally associated with money, finances, banking, ambition, greed, jealousy, and wall street.

The color green has healing power and is understood to be the most restful and relaxing color for the human eye to view. Green can help enhance vision, stability and endurance. Green takes up more space in the spectrum visible to the human eye and it is the dominant color in the natural. It is a natural choice in interior design as an ideal background or backdrop because we as humans are so used to seeing it everywhere.

With the color green’s association with renewal, growth, and hope, often green stands for both a lack of experience and need for growth. Green also stands for new growth and rebirth, common in the spring season when all of the plants are coming back to life with fresh growth and life after the cold winter months.

The color green affects us physically and mentally in several different ways. Green is soothing, relaxing, and youthful. Green is a color that helps alleviate anxiety, depression, and nervousness. Green also brings with it a sense of hope, health, adventure, and renewal, as well as self-control, compassion, and harmony. The green color is often used to indicate safety in the advertising of drugs and medical products. Green is directly related to nature and energy, so it is also commonly used to represent and promote ‘green’ products.

In different cultures green carries different meanings. For example green is the national color of Ireland and is commonly associated with good luck, leprechauns, clovers, and Saint Patrick’s Day. Green also has close ties with Islam.

Too much green can cause people to become placid, lazy, slow, moody, depressed, and lethargic. Too little green can cause feelings of apathy and fear of rejection.

Now For Some Raspberry Sherbert..................

  Knotions is a free monthly knitting and crochet magazine with knitting and crochet patterns, tutorials and blog articles on the latest in fiber arts.  This issue contains a beautiful raspberry colored cowl --reminds me of raspberry sherbert (and since I'm on a cowl journey now--this is right up there for easy in knitting)

This is the third of Skeinwalker's cowl patterns I've knit--

The other two are perfect wearing cowls for any type of weather--well,

not hot humid weather!!  she creates lovely lace patterns

Now, if I can find some colorful cool looking yarn to begin on

this pattern

She is hosting a Knit Along beginning May 26--so

pick up your needles and join the KAL--

I'll be there!

Ancient Dyes

Learning about ancient dyes for fiber is pure joy!  I've been using indigo dye for many years--my first attempt at indigo dyes was with a good friend, who was also a botanist.  We made up an indigo vat and had a good old dyeing day with fellow guild members.  Later in my learning journey, I was education coordinator on an indigo plantation, which grew the plant for several years--an outlet for my dyeing ability to improve.




Recently, while surfing the web, I came across this wonderful video on ancient dyes.
Enjoy!

Towel Exchange

Ah May--beginning of summer activities while other gatherings are winding down.  Earlier this month our Way Out West (WOW) weavers closed out their study on handwoven towels.  We learned many techniques on what constitutes a good woven towel--lessons either beginner or experienced weaver can relish.  May luncheon was an opportunity to exchange a handwoven towel with another member of the group.

Here are the fruits of our study.

Linen towels

waffle weave combined with plain weave

How do you exchange without knowing who has contributed which

towel?  We had plain bags, all the same size, each marked with

a different number--we randomly picked a bag and

were instructed to fold only once, staple twice--

of course, note your number.

When we returned the bags with our exchange towel, 

each person received a different bag--this way we

didn't know whose towel was in what bag--a 

surprise for sure!

This was a shawl shown at 'show and tell'

Tencel--warp and weft

One weaver has been studying with Jane Stafford in

her internet group--she became our overachiever

for the year!!

I'm sorry I didn't get individual photos of each of

the gifted towels.

Here was the layout for photo presentation

If WOW member wished they could gift a

second towel that would go to a guild member

who experienced flooding during Hurricane

Harvey

It was a joy to see all the delightful weaves from members.

We begin a study in profile drafts in September--

a chance to learn something new, even if you 

think you know it all!!

Japanese Knitting

There is much discussion on some Ravelry groups about this

new technique in the world of knitting.

What makes it so special?  Isn't this knitting

like all knitting?

Hitomi Shida original designs and 

variations on every imaginable classic stitch

result in intricate patterns that form

the basis for beautiful and unique knitted fashions.  Although

the book is written in Japanese, it has been translated by

Gayle Roehm

This is for experienced knitters who would like some adventure

in their knitting.

Deborah Tomasello gives us her  Cowl Number 46, 104

it has the signature twisted stitches and raised design common to Japanese lace patterns. can be knitted and worn as either a scarf or a cowl. This project is a lacy, fun piece to work, and it is full of luxurious drape. The design includes a buttoned closure (but no buttonholes!) so it can be buttoned and worn as a cowl, wrapped around the neck twice before buttoning to be worn as a neck warmer, or left unbuttoned and worn as a scarf. So versatile! It is light, and it can be knit in any fiber so it can be worn in any climate. Gauge is not an issue. Want your cowl larger? Work more pattern repeats. Pattern contains written instructions as well as charts. Use cotton or wool, fingering or worsted weight yarn and small or large needles. All choices are yours!

Check it out on Ravelry.

She is also leading this Socks for Spring MKAL on her

group:  Colorworks by Debi

Looks like fun knitting!

Check out this Japanese knitting KAL on Ravelry--

this is a chance to knit along with some great designers