Spider Silk
Spider Silk is now available for purchase as a download, for $6.00 either on Ravelry, or directly through the blog … buy now
Inspired by the simple but elegant yet geometric shapes of a spider’s web, made up entirely of garter stitch and eyelet rows, this is an incredibly simple shawl to knit and would make a great first true lace weight project.
Knit in one piece from the top down, this shawl begins by casting on 11 stitches at the back of the neck and increasing 8 stitches every other row to shape this shawl into a square like shape. Finally, an eyelet-increase row is worked just before the bind off to ensure that a thorough blocking is possible.
Yarn: Madelinetosh ‘tosh lace,’ 950 yards (968 meters), 100% superwash merino, 1 skein, shown in ‘graphite’
Needles: US size 2.5 (3.00 mm) 40 inch (101 cm) circular, or size needed to obtain gauge
Notions: 5 stitch markers, tapestry needle
Gauge: 6.5 sts/inch; 12 rows/inch (6.5 sts/2.5 cm; 12 rows/2.5 cm) in garter stitch
Blocked Dimensions: 27.5 inches (70 cm) down the center back; 27.5 inches (70 cm) cast on to corner; 16 inches (40.5 cm) cast on to middle of one edge of hem; 43 inches (109.25 cm) along one edge of hem
Skills Used: casting on & binding off, knitting, yarn over, k2tog, ssk, sl 2-k1-psso, weaving in ends, blocking lace
Gene Tierney, the Divine
July 12, 2012 update: “Gene Tierney, the Divine” was originally part of The Sanguine Gryphon’s Fall 2011 “Film Noir” pattern collection, and is now available directly from the designer (me!).
The pattern is now available for purchase as a download for $8.00, either on Ravelry, or directly through the blog … buy now
Whether in night dress or an evening gown, every woman needs diamonds to distract from her scheming. Well, this shawl has diamonds aplenty. Enough, I would reckon, to conceal the conspiracies of one plot, or maybe twenty. Then perhaps, just perhaps, an X will mark the spot where the murderous heart skips a beat.
Knit in two halves then grafted together in the middle, this shawl easily flows across and off the shoulders. A wide garter stitch border surrounds the stockinette central motifs, providing an elegant and effortless frame for an elegant and effortless piece.
Yarn: The Sanguine Gryphon ‘Mithril’, 4oz/750 yds, 100% merino wool, 2 skeins, shown in Der Blaue Engel (Fall/Winter 2011 colourway)
Needles: US 2/3.00mm circular, or size needed to obtain gauge
Gauge: 28 sts and 38 rows = 4”/10 cm in St st, washed and blocked
Notions: tapestry needle, waste yarn, US 3/3.25 mm or 4/3.5 mm needle for cast on edges (optional)
Finished Measurements: 22” (56 cm) x 78” (198 cm)
Skills Used: cable cast on, knitting and purling, k2tog, k3tog, k3togtbl, sk2p, ssk, yo, kitchener stitch/grafting, weaving in ends, and blocking lace
Both charts and written stitch directions are included.
Oh dear…
…it’s been a month again since I last posted, and I’m sorry to say that sporadic updates are going to be the norm for a while (if they ever weren’t the norm). Mostly because the distinct lack of free time since I got back to school has meant that knitting time has been scarce and time to even think about blogging has been even scarcer. Anyway, lets jump into the knitting update.
Some of my swatches and yarn from the last post have moved onto WIPs in varying states of completeness.
First up the mittens, first one’s almost one. While I really loved the first green & blue pair (FO post about those coming soon, I finally washed them), I’m absolutely in love with this pair. I think the blue & black really make the pattern pop, they fit better into my everyday wardrobe, and I’m much happier with my fair isle. The knitting on the last pair was much too sloppy for my taste.
Fire breathing shawl anyone? I’m completely in love with this pattern, the yarn, the color, everything about it. Even though I don’t get much of a chance to work on it, it sits on my desk and I look at it longingly. Hopefully I’ll get some time to work on it soon.
The pile of Cascade Greenland is quickly turning into a sweater. Maybe a Rheinbeck sweater. Rheinbeck sweater? Rheinbeck sweater, yep, I’ll be at Rheinbeck on the Saturday. I don’t know if I’ll have time to finish the sweater, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed. I’m almost done with the decreases to the waist (about 7 more rows) at which point I’ll start increasing for the hips and introducing white stripes in a to be determined pattern. At this point I’m planning a turned hem, cap sleeves, with i-cord around the neck and arms, and a substantial metal zipper to top it all off. We’ll see what happens.
The black eyelet shawl is off the needles, but still very much unblocked. I’m planning on blocking this week, photos and pattern finished up and put together next week, then to the tech editor, and published by the end of October. I know there’s a lot of space in that time line, but with the way knitting/designing things have been going the past month, I’m trying not to push it.
And finally…
I got a new bag. It’s the Namaste Hermosa (scroll down), and it’s become my everyday bag, replacing my beloved but falling apart owl covered Strand bag. I’m planning on writing up an in-depth review eventually because most of the reviews I could find were kind of pathetic, but over all I like it, and most importantly it can carry everything.
That’s all I’ve got for now. I’m going to try to post more frequently, but at this point I’ve learned not to promise when it comes to blogging.
