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Herringbone

Herringbone is an ancient pattern; I didn't know that when I embarked on this latest pair of gloves. Examples of herringbone in silk, for example, date back to Ptolemaic Egypt. Who knew? Not me. The Shroud of Turin is woven in a herringbone pattern, and numerous Norman walls were built in a herringbone pattern. I like knowing my new gloves have historic possibilities. Tell me more about herringbone!

The free pattern for these gloves is, as I mentioned previously, in Japanese. However, the authors have been so scrupulously careful with the graphs and schematics that it's pretty easy to simply follow the charts. The charts are beautifully clear and easy to read. I wanted to show you the glamorous gusset that I knit today, but I neglected to recharge my camera battery. So all I can show you is the front, with partial thumb.

While the originals were knit in Rowan 4-ply, I decided to live it up with a Koigu handpaint and a Koigu nearly-solid. I think the Rowan 4-ply, as Minako and Noriko are using, yields a much more elegant glove, but the Koigu definitely adds a kick. I'm not certain what makes this pattern so difficult, but it is—I swatched and started it three times before I got it right! I encourage all glovers to give it a try, though; it's challenging, and very much on the same level as the Sanquhar glove pattern, from the same brilliant knitters who designed the Herringbone glove.

Pups

The pups are especially full of themselves, because they had a package delivered to their own personal attention Thursday afternoon. I let them open it (with supervision) so they could find their surprise goodies from the Adorables, Donald and Gerry. Much tail-wagging and bouncing here! Woofs and snaps to all the Helfrich family members!

We wish you a merry Friday, and a happy weekend!

Inspiration

There I was, knitting away with gray and rust wool, when I came across some very inspiring links. I know they'll inspire you, too, so I offer them here.

Sheila is in the process of creating an extraordinary Fair Isle design based on Chippendale furniture; her swatch already shimmers magically. Go look!

Noriko, who is knitting the difficult Herringbone Gloves along with Minako and me, provided the link in yesterday's OMG-Fair-Isle-Sighting at Tanishi House. Spectacular "Sea Pink" Fair Isle Cardigan. Wednesday afternoon I realized that Tanishi has an entire gallery of Fair Isles that she has knit, and they are all spectacular. Please take a look; you'll enjoy the view!

I'm completely overwhelmed by the talents of all knitters, and in love with their knit interpretations. I tossed the gray and rust wool aside and grabbed some handpaint to rework my Herringbone gloves, and finished the cuff. Today I have the difficult thumb gusset to manage, and then I'll show you a photo on Friday.

In other news, I tamed my stash, which was bordering on the chaotic. It had been troubling me ever since Anne posted that link to those horrible (shudder) photos of out-of-control clutter. I feel ever-so-organized now, and much happier.

Pups

It's Thursday! Little Jack says Who's Your Pal?

Stay warm, everyone, and be safe on those roads. Happy knitting!

All About the Bucket

Monday's entry showed my pre-felted version of Bonne Marie's new Bottoms-up Bucket-o-Chic. Here's my bucket, felted and wearable on a rare cool day in Austin:

Pollen count is extremely high, so please pardon the dark circles under my eyes and my puffy face! Please focus your attention on the flat top and non-curling brim shown here:

And this photo is just to show you how *everybody* wants a Bucket-o-Chic:

That Mikey has a heart of gold. And Bonne Marie has the golden touch as far as this new Bucket-o-Chic goes. The brim is still knitted double, and I had no problem with it flaring or curling or waving. Very fun knitting—thanks, Bonne Marie!

In other knitting news, my Herringbone Gloves are fighting back. I've got to rip back about an inch of herringbone, and then I'll see what I have to do next. I decided to make this first pair in good old dependable J&S shetland jumperweight, and in the grey and rust wool left over from the Giant Latvian Mitten Cardigan.

Pups

Mike and Della say It's Wednesday! Get Rowdy!

Have a good one.

Stop In the Name of Glove

I stopped everything yesterday to speedknit Bonne Marie's clever new "Bottoms Up" Bucket-o-Chic; it's made all in one piece and is a bucket-o-fun! Here's mine before felting:

That's size XL in the felted version; knit with Schaefer's Miss Priss in colorway Greench. After 11 minutes of agitation, the top looked like this:

Isn't that cool? Looks like a Doppler of a Caribbean storm! I followed the directions to the letter, and my new hat is drying now, with a flat top and a perfectly flat brim. I'll show you a photo tomorrow.

Herringbone Gloves

Turns out Minako and Noriko are also working on Herringbone Gloves. I've ripped mine to begin again with a different color combination. Sometimes handpaint (even Koigu—how can that be?) looks blotchy to me. While I was admiring Noriko's work, I followed a link on her site to the most incredible Fair Isle—you simply must go take a look. It's fabulous, and it has a zipper, too! Thanks, Noriko!

Counting Carbs?

Check the label on this zero-carb snack. Let's never mention this again, okay?

Pups

Tuesday! Little Jack says Try not to be in a Mood, and leave those Ostriches alone.

Happy knitting!

Radar Glove

The Austrian gloves from Spinnerin Vol. 158 are finished! In knitting this vintage pattern, I found myself knitting along to Brenda Lee, Dean Martin, and Rosemary Clooney, and all of us were singing those forgotten songs. I'm glad this glove pattern hasn't been forgotten. I'm sure I'll be using this cuff pattern on many gloves to come.

It's hard to tell in a flat photo how completely charming the cuffs are, so Sister graciously agreed to model them for you (please hold your applause until the end):

and more lovely cuff-iness:

Isn't she the greatest? She took me to lunch, too, at my favorite taqueria!

Next?

I've started a new pair of gloves using the free herringbone glove pattern from these wonderful Japanese knitters , but I'm not sure I like my Koigu color choices. We'll see.

Pups

Mikey says It's Monday! Put your toys away!

Have the best knitting day you can; we'll see you tomorrow!