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Two Beautiful Words

O the sheer delight of reaching those two beautiful words in my ASJ pithy directions: Work Even! The ASJ by Elizabeth Zimmermann continues to grow, but now I'm just adding some inches with no further shaping. Happiness!

Some bits that might interest you: So far, I have used 15 balls of Noro Kureyon. That's less than I figured, and remember, my jacket is oversized. Were you to make it at the size Mrs. Zimmermann wrote the pattern for, 44 inches, I'm pretty sure you could make and finish this at 15 balls or less of Noro. I'll be adding length to both the body and the sleeves, so I'll be using more. But surely not the extravagent 30 skeins I initially imagined! Had I not had my Noro (bought at nearly 50% off at a sale) in the stash, I would certainly not rush out and buy some at full price for this project (unless, of course, I had scored a lottery win). Yes, it does look very Hanne Falkenberg-ish, and it's going to be absolutely fabulous, but spending $200 for an unknitted Adult Surprise Jacket? It seems out of keeping with the spirit of the thing.

I extend delighted thanks to those of you who commented on the interesting knitting photo from yesterday. I love the idea of embroidering (back stitching?) around an intarsia design such as the one with the motor scooters. Shobhana of the delicious TomTom sent me a marvelous link to a little program that creates a chart over a photo; I've been playing with it practically all evening. I think when I do my photo-knit, I will use J&S odds and ends. I know what my gauge is with shetland wool on several different sizes of needles and several different types of knitting. Ideas are a-popping here :-)

It continues to rain in Austin, so the pups continue to sulk indoors, and I continue to not take a photo of new progress on the ASJ; the colors are very peculiar-looking when not in natural light. So! Back to knitting and hoping that the sun will shine before I finish this.

Wednesday. Mikey says About Time.
Cheers! and Enjoy!

NEARLY DONE

I'm at the part of the ASJ by EZ where she writes 'NEARLY DONE' in the pattern; just have a couple inches of work-even to take care of. I do feel over the hump with this project and am now excited about getting to the end. Plus, I need to take a trip to the LYS for a 40-in circular needle. Who knows what else I'll find there :-)

Now that I'm past the seemingly endless increases, I have decided that making an ASJ is a type of homage to Elizabeth Zimmermann. Many of you know how much I admire and respect her knit-engineering and artistry, so I'm more pleased than ever with my version, and intend to wear it forever and ever as a Thinking Knitter reminder. Photo update tomorrow, if it ever stops raining here.

Intarsia Plus?

I came across a website that has a gentleman wearing a vest with intarsia-type scooter-cyclists knitted into the front. You can see part of it here, or click-the-pic it to see the whole thing. Actually, you won't want to miss his cockroach tatoo . . . so go ahead and click!

I've only worked intarsia a couple of times, and neither time did I have outlining around the motif. Is this embroidered after the fact? Duplicate stitched? Can you tell? Have you done this? I rather like the effect and would like to know how to do this. Also! Can someone point me to instructions on how to chart a design without knitting software? I'm interested in something like this. Do you knit a gauge swatch first, then obtain knitter's graph paper to the correct stitch size, then lay a photo of dachshunds over it? Hypothetically speaking about the dachshunds, of course.

Pups

Hot and steamy here outside. The pups' long hair, even with their summery short haircuts, curls very becomingly.

Who loves you baby? We do. Woofs, and happy Tuesday.

Increase a Day

Through sheer force of personality I've finally reached the end of the initial increases on the ASJ——I'm glad! It's downhill from here, and now that those increases are behind me, I think this is going to be the best jacket ever. I'm already starting to forget how long this has been taking to knit (one of the reasons, explained by clever Geane, is that garter stitch yields a compressed row gauge—isn't she the smartest and walnuttiest?).

And aren't the stripes pretty? We have shadows and light in our garter-stitched masterpiece by Elizabeth Zimmermann, knitted by me. As I've mentioned before, it was the buhRilliant Terri's idea to use the Noro Kureyon, but it was such a buhRilliant idea that I want to mention it again! Now, if you'd like to see a handspun and nearly finished version of the ASJ, you can look at FuzzyDot's. I think it's wonderful.

A New Old Story

I was browsing Rebecca's Pocket this weekend since I hadn't checked in for a couple of weeks, and saw this beautiful story about boys who crochet. I don't know how I missed it; perhaps you've seen it already. If not, though, give it a glance. I've been wondering off and on the past couple of months how I could continue to keep the focus of this blog on knitting and hand-fashioned textiles while the world seems so crazy-scary. Some days I feel quite vapid. Thanks, Rebecca, for pointing me to a very life-affirming tale, and for once again demonstrating the power of blogs to spread the news.

Pups

We had scattered thunderstorms over the weekend so the pups were in a bit of a mood. The sun was out for only a few minutes Sunday afternoon, just long enough to photograph the ASJ progress. Thanks to Cousin Dyna, the pups learned about the most delicious treat in the Dog Universe. Apparently:

A big dog doesn't want to chew a...small bone
Any more than he wants to play a...trombone
In fact if he could use the...telephone
He'd call and he'd order a...Jumbone!
It's a really really big really big big bone
And that's why they call it Jumbone

Who knew? Hours of quiet chewy fun.

Monday. We're out of Jumbones and back to work.

Swatching the River Flow

I mentioned the other day that I got some delicious-looking Egyptian cotton from Elann. And I got some very good advice from my wonderful readers about how to measure a lacy swatch. So! I tried my new yarn and zigzag lace pattern out on US8 and US7 needles.

US8s

US7s

I haven't decided about the needle size yet, but you know what I remembered? I dislike knitting with cotton very much. This particular cotton, Filatura Di Crosa Millefili Fine, has a relatively nice hand, but I still don't like it. I was thinking that I should start switching over to cotton since I'm living in the 7th Circle here, but I guess I'm thoroughly spoiled to wool. Any tips for working with cotton yarn? (And don't worry; I'll measure my gauge *off* the needles!)

Of (Possibly) Passing Interest

Case 5: Fashion and Home Decor.

And, on this day in 1604, Shakespeare loaned Philip Rogers £2. With today's exchange rate, that wouldn't even buy a single skein of Jamiesons Spindrift, even if they would sell and ship to us.

Revolting!

I forgot to show you my perfectly revolting bruise!! Observe, and be revolted!

Isn't it horrible? You should see the rest of my leg--it's revoltingly livid from ankle to hip! (Yep. I tripped over a dachshund.)

Pups

Is it just me, or has this been a terribly long week? I'm very relieved that it's finally Friday. At noon I'm taking a long lunch and going with friends to see this, which I hope will be more interesting than studying my bruises. Then the pups and I are going to take the weekend off—and not a moment too soon.

What do you get when you cross a Great Pyrenees and a Dachshund?

A Pyradachs! (The puzzling kind.)

Oh dear. We wish you a happy Friday and a merry weekend. Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things. Cheers!

New Tricks

My copy of Nanette's wonderful little booklet, Stranded Color Knitting, arrived Wednesday afternoon about 4:00 p.m., and by 4:15 p.m., I'd already learned two new tricks for color knitting! Cool!

Chery, a pretty fancy norgi-knitter herself, has reviewed the booklet on her site, so head over there for more particulars. I'll simply add that I'm glad Nanette notes a difference between stranded color knitting and fair isle knitting, that there are two excellent patterns for hats, and more tips and tricks than you can shake a bunny tail at. Proceeds benefit pet rabbit rescue, and I don't know where you'll find this many good ideas, complete with annotated bibliography, plus the two aforementioned patterns, all for the low, low price of $9.99. What are you waiting for? :-P

Speaking of hats, we came across this site the other day and meant to share. It's got lots of cute little knit hat patterns to buy. And! You simply must go see the awesome Bucket-o-Chic that I suddenly can't find the url for. Hmmm. Let me see. It's a beautifully knit bucket hat in brown and cream, with charted celtic knots--really lovely. If you've seen it, please leave a url in the comments for the absent-minded. We thank you.

*********UPDATE*********
The marvelous Miss Wendy has provided the link to the beautiful celtic b-o-c! Thanks, Wendy, and great work, ZenKnits!

***********

Pups

A dachshund walks into a bar. The bartender says HeY Pal! WhY the LoNG FacE?

Happy Thursday! Happy knitting!

Swatching Lace

Since I have the smartest readers in the knitting universe (see yesterday's comments), I am emboldened to ask a new question, regarding Gauge for Lace Knitting. I need to get gauge because the pattern I'm swatching for is a jacket.

So, if I may be so bold, I have the pattern, and I have the delicious cotton yarn and each lace pattern repeat should measure 1 in wide. Should the lace pattern repeat measure 1 in slightly stretched as it will ultimately be blocked? Or is the 1 in measured over an undressed repeat? The swatch is knit on 25 stitches. Your intellectual brilliance is much appreciated.

A Clarification

Wendy reminds me that what she actually said (see 22 June entry) regarding color knitting was "C'mon over to the dark side—mwah-ha-ha-ha-ha!" We stand corrected (and on the dark side!).

A Beautiful Blue Gansey

It's Sandrine's, and it's really lovely. The French knitters knock me out!

Pups

Didja hear about the dyslexic atheist?
He doesn't believe in dogs.

Happy Wednesday!

Tuesday Knitting

We are down to the last eight double increases on the Adult Surprise Jacket; when I finish those I'll be ready to knit even on 405 stitches. Your jacket won't be so large, I imagine; I'm making mine to wear as a regular coat in the mild winter here. No photo today, but it has finally begun to seem as if it will be finished. For a while I thought it was unknitting itself at night.

Is garter stitch a particularly slow stitch? I don't think I've ever knit anything so slowly as this. From working Fair Isles and lace, I'm accustomed to having large numbers of stitches on the needles——I can't figure why this particular knit is taking so long. Thank heavens I'm not in an ASJ contest!

Contests! That makes me think of fast knitters. Keep an eye on Françoise's blog, because she has finished the pieces to the Mystic aran with its magical anchors and will be assembling it soon. She's also got Donegal going, too.

I had a charming note from a reader over the weekend asking what might make a good first stranded knitting project. It made me smile, because while I was reading it, I suddenly remembered that I had written to Wendy asking nearly the same thing a little less than two years ago. I can vividly recall the trepidation I felt about color knitting, and it pleases me that I don't think twice about any type of knitting or steeking nowadays. Wendy's advice was "Go for it!" and to that I add knit something you really want to knit. Desire makes all things easier :-)

Markdowns on RTW Dale of Norway!

It's hot. Don't feel guilty if you'd rather shop than knit. Just be aware that these are machine knit. You could have a handknit one, you know, for half the cost and twice the enjoyment and only a few dozen ends to weave in.

A Question

I am very curious about the rationale behind this webpage. Why is it filled with text from Tolstoy's War and Peace? Does creating this type of webpage spark higher search engine ranks? I can't figure it out, but it seems a fascinating web artifact. What *can* the connection be between Tolstoy and Polo jeans and eBay? I also found similar pages over the weekend while using Google searches for 'sweater kits' and 'sweaters'. Those pages have been replaced with pages for an engine called Bandursban, so perhaps the link above won't stay long either. If it does though, and you know something about it, please explain in 500 words or less, and no fair using War and Peace portions in the answer. We thank you.

Pups

We had a very busy weekend. I believe I told you I was being an usher here, and I must say that while it was everything I hoped for, it also took a sizeable chunk of regularly scheduled sloth out of my Saturday and Sunday. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the pups were enjoying the air conditioning and some special chewie toys while watching Bassmaster reruns. Say! That reminds me! That weird Pug-dog has some new summer frocks. Wild!

Tuesday! Mike would like to remind you not to walk barefoot on hot Texas sidewalks.

Cheers! and happy knitting!

Knitizontal

An Essay on the Adult Surprise Jacket *

I shall now enrich your life by sharing with you about the Adult Surprise Jacket. To put it simply, people like the Adult Surprise Jacket. It still has the power to shock the aristocracy, trapped by their infamous history. With the primary aim of demonstrating my considerable intellect, I will now demonstrate the complexity of the many-faceted issue that is the Adult Surprise Jacket .

Special care must be taken when analyzing such a delicate subject. On the other hand, anyone that disagrees with me is an idiot.

Social Factors

Comparisons between Roman Society and Medieval Society give a clear picture of the importance of the Adult Surprise Jacket to developments in social conduct. I will not insult knitblog-readers’ intelligence by explaining this obvious comparison any further.

Did I mention how lovely the Adult Surprise Jacket is? It has been said that the one thing in society that could survive a nuclear attack is the Adult Surprise Jacket. This is incorrect; actually cockroaches are the only things that can survive a nuclear attack.

Economic Factors

Do we critique the markets, or do they in fact critique us? We will begin by looking at the JTB-Guide-Dog model using the median instead of the mean, where possible.

When displayed this way, it becomes very clear that the Adult Surprise Jacket is of great importance. Even a child could work out that oil prices have always depended upon the Adult Surprise Jacket to a certain extent, but now more than ever. The economic policy spectrum is seeing a period of unprecedented growth.

Political Factors

Politics was once a game featuring competitors from elite classes. Looking at the spectrum represented by a single political party can be reminiscent of comparing the two sides of the Adult Surprise Jacket.

To quote the star of stage and screen Augustan T. Time, 'You can lead a horse to water, big deal.' [2] One cannot help but agree, when faced with the Adult Surprise Jacket, that this highlights an important issue. If our political system can be seen as a cake, then the Adult Surprise Jacket makes a good case for being the icing.

I hope, for our sake, that the Adult Surprise Jacket will endure.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Adult Surprise Jacket may not be the best thing since sliced bread, but it's still important. We can say with certainty the Adult Surprise Jacket has been, and will continue to be, a major building block for the world in which we live. It sings a new song, invades where necessary and is a joy to behold.

Here with the final word is Hollywood's Beyonce Love Hewitt: 'I would say without a shadow of a doubt: the Adult Surprise Jacket ROCKS!!! [3]
___________________________
[1] Flankton - The Complete History - 1999 Fantastico Publishing
[2] Dickinson - I Am The Dickinster - 1999 Hughs Books
[3] It Magazine - Issue 302 - Spam Media Group

*This essay was generated by the The Essay Generator. Do you have blog-blahs? Take the easy way out at www.EssayGenerator.com!

Pups

Tra La! Friday! Della says:

Cheers! And good knitting!

Knitationated

Oooooh! A new Dalegarn booklet, Nr. 138! My copy arrived this afternoon and I'm quite taken with at least three of the sweaters. . . and I must say I love it when Dalegarn presents a sweater in two or more colorways. This edition has some swank hats, too. I give it Two Knitter-Thumbs-Up! This site has photos of a number of the designs. The only odd thing about this newest booklet is the cover photo. For some reason, a perfectly beautiful woman in a perfectly beautiful sweater is wearing a squirrel on her head. Go figure!

The only thing more fun than Fair Isle knitting is Norwegian knitting. Knit those decorated tubes, cut 'em open at the sleeves and you've got yourself a knitterly masterpiece. It's a good thing that my Nr. 138 arrived, because my copy of Stranded Color Knitting still isn't here yet. I hope it comes tomorrow. While I haven't seen Nanette's book, I trust her color-knitting skills completely. I suspect this little booklet will become as classic as the SWAK Intarsia booklet. Do you have one of those? I've actually been looking around for my ancient copy of the SWAK book, because Shobhana is making me happy with her TomTom progress. And you know what else tickles me practically pink? Christine writes that she has added new bears to her gallery; go look, you'll grin.

TechoFiber News!

2,500 times smaller than the width of a human hair! We can hardly wait to feel so tidy!

Pups

We're all perking up here the closer it gets to the weekend. I'm having a new experience on Saturday—being an usher here. I am hoping that it will be totally Guffman-esque.

Thursday. Little Jack reminds you not to sit so close to your computer—You'll Ruin Your Eyes.

Cheers, and happy knitting.

Knititanical

We've been puritanical about sticking to the one knitted project here, and we're about to finally be done with the major increasing part. Well, in about another 30 rows. Won't it be nice, though, once finished!

It's taking what seems a long while, but when I consider the number of non-knitting goals accomplished while I've been working on this project, I don't feel troubled. A smaller-sized Adult Surprise Jacket (by Elizabeth Zimmermann) would knit more quickly than my large ASJ, and of course, the Baby SJ knits in only a few evenings. Even though my ASJ seems to never grow larger and longer on the needles, I still recommend this as a very interesting and interesting-looking knit.

Mail Call

We've had some smashing good mail here lately; unusual Japanese yarn from Noriko-san, printing-pressed notecards from Amber, two packs of Squirrel-colored Calmer from Colourway, and some fabulous Canadiana from Terri. The only thing we are anxiously awaiting now is Master-Knitter Nanette's new book, Stranded Color Knitting. It's been a while since I was so eager for a book, and about my favorite topic, too! Plus, all proceeds of book sales go to rescue more rabbits.

Whoa!

How the heck did I miss this?

Go Granny Go!

Pups

Pups are having a hot summer and it's still spring until June 21, at least it was the last time I checked . . . hmmm.

Wednesday. Little Jack reminds you that half a peanutbutter cookie is better than none.
Cheers!

Brief Blog Break

Please entertain yourselves while the pups and I take a few days off.

See you soon!

No News Tuesday

They say no news is good news, so I suppose we can have no good Knitting news :-)

Instead, here are some poems featuring knitting for you. Enjoy! and Happy Tuesday. See you tomorrow!

Ripping Yarns

Ripping Yarn 1: I rarely knit big blunders into my work, but when I do, they are usually doozies. I was knitting along, reaching the end of the increases of the Adult Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmermann and decided for some silly reason to re-read my pattern. Even though I had successfully done the recommended pre-knitting by working the Baby Surprise Jacket, also by EZ, I still bungled the point at which I was supposed to place three inches of stitches from either end on holders. Out came the needle, and off of my work came hundreds of stitches. I'm back on track now, and up to about 275 of my required 400 stitches, but my goodness! What a painful trip to the frog pond *that* was.

Ripping Yarn 2:Go Gryffndor! I went with my nephew to see the new Harry Potter movie, and we both agree that it was the very best of the three. If you haven't seen it yet, hurry up! It's wonderfully entertaining, especially if you have a kid with you. There's something about seeing a movie that is accompanied by a kid's giggles—makes it all the more entertaining :-)

Covetousness!

Are these the greatest stitch markers ever? I think so. Deb's sister made them, and I want some.

Pups

The pups had their usual leisurely weekend, and now they are all relaxed for the coming week of laying about and napping, interspersed with periodic barking at junebugs.

Monday! Little Jacks says Keep a Smile on your Lips and a Dog Biscuit in your Pocket.

Sweet Kiss of Friday

Thursday was much too busy. I knit another couple of increase rows on the Adult Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmermann, and I *thought* about swatching the Lightning Lace Jacket by Jill Vosburg, but decided to save it as a treat for later. Do you do that? Set a project with yarn aside as a personal reward? It must seem like a silly practice to non-knitters! "Oh! I think I'll save that to SWATCH!"

Even though I've been listing lots-o-links lately, I'd like to remind you to check the comments for even more links! And, since it's Friday, and we don't have a knitting photo to show you, let's look at some eye-candy sweaters.

1st: The Oleana Sweaters by Solveig Hisdal. I didn't think there could be sweaters that were lovelier than the ones Ms. Hisdal provided to knitters in Poetry in Stitches (ISBN 82-517-8435-2), but sure enough, she's designed some more. Do you think there might be another book some day? The Lotus Blossom motif is incredibly versatile.

2nd: SALE!! On Dale of Norway and Norwegian Sweaters! Sure, you want to knit them, but sheesh, at these prices, you could buy a sweater, unravel it, and then knit it back up for less than it costs to buy a Dale of Norway kit. Albertville, anyone?

3rd: Elegantly recycled sweaters. What a great idea, and while these are high-end, it seems like a very flexible idea.

4th: A trip around the knitting blog rings will yield plenty to drool over. I'm so taken with Shobhana's TomTom that I'm seriously considering taking up intarsia myself, right after I learn to crochet and knit doilys with skulls. Yep. It's going to be a busy summer.

Pups

O Happy Day! Another Thursday visit from our Geoffrey and Dyna! Texas is hot, but life is sweet.

All the pups and I hope you have a lovely day, and a splendid weekend. If I owe you an email, don't fret; I'll be all over my inbox on Saturday!

Surprise

No really. I'm still increasing on the Adult Surprise Jacket. Are you surprised? No need to fret. There are over 300 stitches on the needles again, and it makes my hands a little tired lately when combined with some other work I've been doing. So you'll just have to imagine a few more rows accomplished.

In the meantime. We must point you to our blogpal Amber, who has knit a piñata.

We love this kind of knitting. Amber also kindly sent us a link to a Giant Doily with Skulls; we feel humbled just observing this creation, and you know how fond we are of skulls. Hildur Bjarnadóttir is another artist making incredible magic with needles and strings. Amber's piñata and the Giant Doily with Skulls have set the wheels of my brain spinning; I'm trying to imagine what I would like to knit as an outré object if I could knit anything at all in the world, and wondering if I could convey through my knitting the same exuberant feelings found in Amber and Bjarnadóttir's work. What would you knit if you didn't know you were supposed to knit only sweaters and accessories?

Pups

Wednesday was another scorching day; today is supposed to be more of the same. When I open the door, it feels very much as if I am opening the door to a furnace. The pups and I stay inside as much as possible. I was worrying about their lack of exercise Wednesday afternoon when our excellent nephew Geoffrey came over with Cousin Dyna. Geoffrey is very sweet to the pups, and lets Mikey share the love to happy excess.

Thursday! The weekend is so close we can almost taste it. Happy day, happy knitting!

Hotter

The heat index on Tuesday was only 101° F, so we made some lemonade to enjoy while we increased away on the Adult Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmermann. While we don't have a dramatic photo to show you, we can point you to this excellent bibliography of Elizabeth Zimmermann and Meg Swansen. We love the Internet!

Did you notice in yesterday's comments that Shannon is making an ASJ? You can send her some of your handspun or leftover stash to be immortalized in the ASJ that she'll be wearing on her book tour. Go Shannon! And Go Knitters.

Knit Art

You know how fond of textile art we are. Here are fresh links to some very creative knitters and crocheters. I really think I must learn how to crochet.

Bugknits Miniature Landscape Stockings, at 50 st per in. Please view full-size; even with a dial-up, these are worth the wait.

Louise Weaver, Australian textile artist: Knit and crochet critters. Again, click the thumbnails to see these extraordinary pieces.

Alicja Adwent's amazing knitted wearable art.

My goodness! Isn't this stuff monumentally wonderful? Here's one more that completely blows my mind — giant faces by Tsuruta Tomoko. I ran this page through Altavista's Babelfish because I couldn't believe that it was "Knit Art," but the translation seems to indicate that the pieces *really* are knit, and not woven. Let me know if you can translate and tell me more; I find these faces astonishing in their complexity and beauty.

Pups

Two out of three dachshunds have forgiven me for cutting their curls off. That seems promising.

We wish you mint sprigs for your lemonade, a shady parking spot, and happy knitting.

Hot

It was 100 degrees F on Monday; we stopped knitting and started snipping on Mike, Jack, and Della. I gave them all (bad) haircuts and then they all had baths. No one was pleased, but everyone is cooler.

100 degrees on the last day of May? The solstice is still 21 days away, I believe, and so I'd prefer it to be cooler until then. I feel absurdly grateful for air conditioning; when I lived in the Northeast, I always hated to have the house shut up on the few days that it was too hot to sleep. I didn't think I could bear having the house shut up here, but I was wrong; I'm blissfully happy to shut all doors and windows, turn out lights, and shut off the computer.

So! Where's the knitting content? We're increasing upwards on the Adult Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmermann. Please review Monday's photo. Send ice cubes.

Pups

Tuesday! They're all under the bed staying cool and sulking about their haircuts. We wish you kinder weather, happy dogs, and happy knitting.