Rhapsody in Blue
The way the knitting is going these days, I ought to consider changing the blog handle to Blue Ribbing. Where did all this blue wool come from, you might understandably wonder? I’ve been holding out on you, I’m afraid. So let me introduce you:
On the right, in the ice blue: a new sweater design for Shibui. I can’t give you all the details yet, but what you’re looking at here is the torso, worked in Merino Kid. The upper part and the sleeves are in Sock in the same color. Cross your fingers for me that it all comes together as neatly as it works in my head and sketchbook.
In the middle: most of the back of a pullover, also my own design, in Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed. It looks like a lot of work, but it’s been flying along beautifully. And I’ve just joined the third ball, so I’m getting much better mileage out of this stuff than I expected.
The blue blob on top: Ana hat kit from Fleece Artist and Perl Grey. It’s a sample for Knit/Purl, a sort of hat cum ‘do-rag. I’d like to draw your attention to the last line of the instructions — and I quote: “wear your bandana K or P side out / boho chic 4 ever”
I couldn’t make this stuff up, people. But let’s talk about the yarn for a moment. Fleece Artist Woolie Silk 3-Ply. 65% wool, 35% silk, DK weight. Often I find that wool/silk blends, while beautiful and lustrous, feel a little dead on the needles. It’s the silk: no liveliness. But Woolie Silk seems to have gotten the blend just right; its 3-ply construction is tightly spun, and the hand is pleasantly wooly, but you still get a wink and glimmer from the silk. The stitches leap from needle to needle like so many chamois bounding over an Alp. The knitting is fast and smooth, and I found myself tearing through the stockinet rows as quickly as I’ve ever knit in my life. I also began to drool at the thought of a whole sweater in this stuff. I can’t wait to see what colors we’ll be carrying in the store.
And no attempt to catalog the works in progress would be complete without an appearance from You Know Who:
Felis interruptus: Mingus being Mingus
That’s all for now, folks. Someone needs to pack her bags for an obscenely early flight to… Boston! For… another wedding! And I haven’t even shown you what I got at A Good Yarn the last time I was there…
Posted: October 17th, 2007 at 11:01 pm
I’m digging that hat thingy for Knit/Purl. So let me get this straight – you work for a yarn shop and you’re test knitting? Let me know how off I am, and tell me about this Knit/Purl pattern…
🙂
Posted: October 17th, 2007 at 11:27 pm
I believe that your sweater will turn out to be a great design, even if it won’t be exactly like you planned. You have an eye for this things!
– And I really wish that my LYS would carry some American and English yarns. I need to TOUCH the yarns and SEE the colors before I buy. Can you compare buying yarn for internetshops to an extreme sport?!
Looking forward to see the final results!
Posted: October 18th, 2007 at 3:21 am
if you fly over nebraska, wave!
that yarn sounds tasty! too bad i think i’m on a permanent yarn diet, sigh.
Posted: October 18th, 2007 at 3:55 am
Your WIPs are visions in blue. Can’t wait to see the Shibui sweater! Love that hat – definitely very YOU. And you’re off to Boston again? That flight must be killer for you! I leave tomorrow night for London… hope I can catch some sleep on my red-eye flight! Have fun at the wedding!
Posted: October 18th, 2007 at 4:03 am
i am so totally into that ana hat. can you hook me up? i’ve been meaning to make some sort of hat/beret thing. this looks just my style!
Posted: October 18th, 2007 at 4:35 am
I love all of it, but that’s not surprising, seeing as blue is my favourite colour. Good luck with your design, it’s looking lovely so far.
The ana hat is super-duper cute! I’ll have to order me one of those. Yay for Canadian yarn/design!
Posted: October 18th, 2007 at 5:41 am
love the do-rag thingy! the pattern’s not out yet right?
have fun in boston, maybe we’ll bump into each other on the streets…i’ll say hi if we do 🙂
Posted: October 18th, 2007 at 6:25 am
Ooh, I love the stitch patten you used at the top of the Jo Sharp sweater! And, yes, please keep us posted with the Ana pattern. Is it just a big rectangle, or are there some short rows to make the top skinnier? Yup, I’m already reverse-engineering 🙂
Posted: October 18th, 2007 at 7:13 am
The blues, the lovely stitches, the photos! You’ve made my morning with the prettiness. They are so lovely. I can’t wait to see the finished sweaters. And that hat is ultra cool. I wouldn’t think it’s quite my style, but I am drawn to it. I want to knit it!
Posted: October 18th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
What is it with cats and our knitting? I finished a sock a couple days ago. I laid it on the ironing board for a minute and when I came back my cat, Chenille, was lying on it. She lays on the tiniest swatches. It’s very funny.
Beautiful blues, btw.
Posted: October 18th, 2007 at 7:05 pm
Have a safe flight and I hope good weather for the wedding! Can’t wait to see your designs someday. Mingus is such a treat; I’m so glad he’s home again.
Posted: October 18th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
I love that hat thing! Can’t wait to see the pattern.
Posted: October 22nd, 2007 at 5:50 pm
I love the hat! (and have already tried the Googling route for more info)
You are having a very wedding year. I hope your trip to Boston went well!
Posted: October 26th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
Mingus!! Such a long time since his last appearance 🙂 So many secret projects Sarah, I can’t wait to see the FO’s!
Posted: November 29th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
Hi. I love this hat. It looks terrific on you!
Posted: April 27th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
[…] I finished Ana a good two weeks ago, but I’ve been waiting for natural light and a photographer. The hat isn’t as yellow as the afternoon sun made it in these shots, but you get the idea. I don’t know about “boho chic 4 ever,” but I think it’s a good argument for bringing back the snood. Posted under Unsorted | | Trackback […]