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Symmetry

Still thinking about mirror-images and symmetry. Mirror imaging a motif is a type of reflective symmetry. If you are Burning Bright to know more about symmetry, visit this informative site.

Visitor News:

They're only here for a few more days. Today we're off to the Met; wish you were here.

Today's Question:

What's the deal with felted bags? Why are so many people making multiples?

Have a great weekend! See you Monday with an update on the gorgeous Giant Latvian Mitten Cardigan.

mirror rorrim

I used to think of myself as a rather timid knitter. But with each passing stranded knit, I find myself becoming the knitting equivalent of Rocky Balboa...sure, I take some hits, but sometimes, I'm completely victorious! Yesterday was a very busy Wednesday, and I only knit two rows, but those two rows delivered a knock-out punch to my former knitting personality.

I was fully prepared to knit my gorgeous new Giant Latvian Mitten Cardigan in the designer's size because I was, well, yes, I admit it: I was Scared of Changing the Motifs. I mean, I was sort of okay with changing the colors? But monkeying with the number of stitches in a highly complex design? Scary, knittin-dudes.

So, I remained intrigued by a sentence in the Wool Gathering pattern description. Meg Swansen wrote: "With the mirror imaging described, you can work with any size, any motif, and any number of stitches."

Huh? Any number of stitches? Well! Gottatrythat. Do you know about mirror imaging in a charted design? Right! But do you really get it? I didn't, until last night when I increased stitch count from the first of the four charts to the second chart. Through the magic of mirror imaging, I could start my second chart anywhere in the chart, and so long as I had a center back stitch marked, I could add five, 10, even 17 stitches and still make the chart pattern work out to its original design specs. Work out beautifully, in fact! I'm very excited over this knitting advancement. It's still too fragile in my consciousness to describe fully to you, but if you have the chance to knit a Meg Swansen Fair Isle, you'll have a passport into some very brilliant knitting. G'wan! I dare ya! Take your knitting to a new level! She's simply the greatest. And your knitting liberation is at hand.

Even Della wants to give her a big kiss:

Oh! Note to Carolyn F: It's a Giant Latvian Mitten Cardigan because it employs a Giant Latvian Motif.

Small Blogging World!

One of my favorite online people found me yesterday through a linked comment I'd made on Wendy's wonderful site. Karen Berglund! and she has a blog now too! She and her husband John are artists, and if you select this link, you'll see some of the most beautiful and functional wooden art ever. When I bought Sister's birthday present this year, Karen helped me by emailing images of the perfect bowl. If you like useful and lovely things, be sure to check out the awesome woodworking at the Berglunds.

Armchair Adventures Dept:

Today is the 50th anniversary of the first ascent of Mt. Everest. Mount Everest is 29,028 ft high, in Nepal, and named after Sir George Everest. Cubicle dwellers, click here and dream. Happy Thursday, everyone.

PWYC

PWYC is knittin' shorthand for Meg Swansen's Purl-When-You-Can method of working a stranded knit...it's wonderful for knitters like me who don't like to wait for the fun part of two-color knitting! No delay, and look how it lays flat as a pancake. No curling on this edge-baby:

Have a closer look to temper your disbelief:

Please Wind Yarn Charlie?
Purple Wishes Yellow Candy?
Pups Will Yelp Candidly?

No! Purl-When-You-Can! for a non-curling border with no loathsome ribbing. All the details are in the same issue of Wool Gathering (#67) as the beautiful cardigan design. M. Swansen writes that her motifs were inspired by the Latvian charts in Latvian Knitting and Latvian Mittens. But somehow she does something different with her charts; like the Mimbres, this is a song of a sweater. Very rhythmical and pleasant to knit. Added bonus for me that you can't see—the lower border colors are rust and silver, but in the light, the silver has taken on a slightly green overtone, and the rust is more mellow...looks like knitted verdigris.

Pup News:

I think the pups are getting S.A.D. from all the rain and gray weather. Either that or they sneaked a peek at Wendy's copy of the summer Knitters.

Have a wonderful Wednesday! How are you, by the way? I've been so busy with my houseguests that I forgot to ask. Please excuse me, and please send an update soon.

Various

Oh dear what a lot of rain we have had. I think the pups may be getting moldy. Simply days and days of this:

I seem to have caught whatever Teresa had when she was starting the Shirt-Tailed Fair Isle, and had to rip three times before having a proper beginning. But the third time's the charm, and I'm now happily working away at the PWYC border of the Giant Latvian Mitten Cardigan. It is so excellent to be able to dive right into the luscious border, rather than laboring over a ribbing. What a beautiful design. I'm eager to show you a progress photo. Maybe tomorrow!

Textile News:

How about this? 80,000 volts for unauthorized contact with the wearer. Designed with princess seams, for her.

Or this? I'd actually like to be able to knit with some of this fiber that can emit its own light. Can't wait!

Or this? Let your knitting work for you for a change!

Happy Tuesday, everyone. Chant for sunshine, please.

ems

Memorial Day

It's pouring, so I think the Memorial Day Parade will be rained out here.

Monday

And Sister has to work. Why not visit her blog and take a look at the art dolls she's making? Leave a comment for her to enjoy while she's at work in Austin.

Mimbres

My Mimbres interpretation is finished, and I'm very happy with it. I've linked it from my gallery of Finished Stuff, so have a look. Here's the top portion of the back, with its reversed colors. I think it's gorgeous, and reversing gives a mysterious and beautiful effect.

I so recommend this Meg Swansen design to you. It is a completely lyrical knitting experience! And I've learned a number of new things: double i-cord, crocheted steeks, and what happens if you combine two handpaint yarns in one design. I like it. If it ever stops raining here, I'll take some better photos in daylight so you can see it in its true loveliness.

Meanwhile

Charts enlarged? Check
Skeins wound into balls? Check
Pattern numbers adjusted? Check
The Giant Latvian Mitten Cardigan is ready to go.
Lock and load the Addi turbos.

I've also added a link in the sidebar to my Crocheted Steek experience that captures my blog entry on the subject. Give it a try next time you steek; it gives wonderful results.

Mena

Mena Trott of Moveable Type sent word announcing their new publishing software: TypePad. Check it out if you were considering moving your blog to Moveable Type, but were intimidated by setup and installation. Cool!

Mikey

As mentioned previously, it's pouring rain, so the pups are finding other things to do today. Hope you will too. Cheers!