Pop Goes The Shoulder

It's a disconcerting sound and feeling, that "Oh, crap!" popping twinge of something anatomically out of place. When you're this|close to finishing another little doodad, you just suck it up and deal with the consequences later. I might have been pushing a bit too hard but I think this headband was worth it.

Specs:
10 grams each of light blue (2137) and navy blue (2625) Cascade Fixation
Approximately 50 clear size 3/0 seed beads
Size 5 US circular needle

Recipe:
Cast on an odd number of stitches, based on the size of your head and the amount of negative ease you desire. At 22 inches, my noggin's a bit bigger than average. My aim was for the headband to stay on (but not cut off my circulation), so I hit on 95 stitches as my magic number. Your mileage may vary.

I joined the stitches and knit the first row. Next came 7 rows in seed stitch, all in color A. Switch to color B, knit 3 rows, adding the beads in the second row. Yes, I used the crochet method to place the beads.

Switching back to color A, knit two rows. Reattach color B and use both colors, create a mock rib in a "knit 1, purl 1" pattern for 5 rows. Lastly, using color B, repeat 7 row seed stitch and bind off in pattern. You'll end up with a headband that's roughly 2.5 inches wide.

There are many variations possible such as number of colors, bead placement, border pattern, etc. Put your own mark on it. I'd be interested to know what you come up with if you don't mind sharing. Whether you have short hair or long, this is a perfect little accessory to keep you looking sporty chic and pulled together throughout the coming summer months.

I checked my stash of Cascade Fixation left over from a previous knit-along. This won't be the last of the instant gratification headbands. I just need to either learn how to involve my left hand more by knitting in the Continental style or hold the yarn and needles less tightly.

By the way, Happy Mother's Day to all who celebrate, be their children scaly, furry, feathered or smooth.

Thirty Stitches

Blue Sky Alpacas' Organic Cotton (l-r: Bone, Espresso, Willow, Sage)

Thirty stitches. That's how many I cast onto my size 9 (US) straights. Thirty stitches. If you do the math, that means I've got quite a few possibilities for texture and pattern blocks to make up my scrummy organic cotton throw. So far, I've combined 5 (bone), 6 (willow and sage) and 15 (espresso) stitch patterns. Believe it or not, I've got my eye on a 30 stitch leaf motif that should be quite striking.

Originally, my plan was to create four squares since I settled on four colors of yarn, which is, by the way, some of the most deliciously soft, plump cotton I've ever tried. You may have read about it like I did at Knit and Tonic. Wendy showed a basket full of the sportweight version of this yarn, whereas I opted for the plumper worsted weight. I kid you not. This is the softest, most pet-worthy cotton yarn I've ever touched. No "rough and ready" business here.

Ah, but I digress. I was at "four squares, four colors." As I looked through various stitch dictionaries, I realized just how foolish I was to limit myself - especially after doodling with a few different stitch-number scenarios and hitting on 30 as "just right!" I've picked out eight patterns and will assign each color one of two options. That should provide enough textural diversity and, along with the approximately 1200 yards of yarn, quite a patchwork of 16" x 8" strips: soft enough and varied enough to make for an interesting knit.

What Would You Do?

If something called Dream In Color "Baby Lace" landed in your mailbox, along with silver lined beads? If you suddenly realized that, if your design IS accepted, you'll have to knit like the wind but you have no pattern? You swatch. With your vague idea and an arsenal of needle sizes as you try to find the right combination to work with your "not quite lace, not quite fingering" yarn.

Edited to add: Great news! Just found out this afternoon that the designs have been accepted for publication! Whoot! I'd happy dance if I could!

The color is called, "In Vino Veritas" or loosely translated from the Latin, "In wine, there is truth." Despite my attempts to remove stray bits of cat hair, some found its way into the photo. Ignore those. Instead, enjoy the subtle shadings of the yarn which run from plum to merlot with a bit of claret for body.

The beads are from Beadworks. In the 100 gram vial, they look sort of rainbow-flavored and, frankly, I was a bit disappointed - that is, until I started to place them in pattern using the crochet hook method. I do like this method of beading, mostly because you don't wear out the yarn by sliding beads along the length of it and you don't have to know what you need in advance. Much more advantageous for "sketching" with your knitting, which is how I spent my weekend.

What's on your needles?

For The Love Of Wool

If we've chatted for more than five minutes, it would become apparent that I have quite a few interests. Alongside history, languages, travel, social justice and politics lives my life-long interest in fashion. Oh, the incongruity! Anyway, as I was going through my daily reads, I found this item at The First Post: Wonder Woollens. Apparently, knits - especially big, comfy knits - are all the rage in Britain. Does this surprise? After all, it is the home of Rowan, Jaeger, Debbie Bliss and Blue-faced Leicester.

Quite coincidentally, big, hearty, like-a-hug sweaters have been much on the mind of late. I credit Rebecca with the term, "February sweater" because it's about that time in the Midwest when you are really and truly sick of winter. It loses all its pretense of chilly charm, the stuff formerly known as snow has now become something definitely not from nature and you just want it to be over. Period. All I have to do now is decide on the perfect pattern. Maybe Twist? Or the Dollar and a half cardigan? The yarn has been selected from stash after much gnashing of teeth over plunking down additional dinero on tweed. I think it'll do just fine.

In the meantime, the race is on the finish two gifts in two weeks because I'm scheduled for a lumbar laminotomy and discectomy on December 10th. Since the new scarf is taking longer than anticipated, I may switch to *gasp* crochet to do the majority of it, then switch back to knitting to mirror the start.

I'll let you know later this week what I end up doing. It could be an interesting texture mix of hook and needle.

Jack Is Three

Although he can't quite get the fingers right just yet, Jack is three years old. He was a perfect little gentleman for taking time out from opening presents to model his birthday hoodie for me. It's not as roomy as I would have liked, but Jack's mom assures me that he'll be able to wear it next year as well. If not, his baby sister will.

Cheers, little dude! Thanks for being such a good sport. Jack really did go out of his way because, at 3, he could care less about clothes. All he wanted was to get back to opening birthday presents with his cousins.

Proof Of Life

I realize my last few posts have clearly not be of knitted items. I even recall stating that, though I had begun Mona sock number two, it was unlikely that I would be posting a sock progress shot.

As you can see, I've had a change of heart - mostly because I feel the need to show that there is a bit of knitting life Chez Moi. I might be "The Little Engine That Could" since I'm met with creaky resistance in my right shoulder with each and every stitch, but I will certainly persevere.

Understand that I'm not complaining so much as frustrated by a lack of alacrity:

• in finishing this simple, beautiful pattern for my Sockapalooza pal
• in picking up where I left off weeks ago with the Forest Canopy Shawl
• with being able to start a 2-color sock design I have in mind
• with being able to finally make a Clapotis with the lovely Blue Heron beaded rayon I purchased some time ago.

Ah, well. At least I found a hair style I like. You read it here. The Heidi braids are coming off Thursday afternoon.

One more thing. I've noticed there seem to be a rash of companion animal money shots sprouting up on certain knitters blogs (links via Stumbling Over Chaos). Who knew that I unknowingly got ahead of that trend 2 weeks ago with Nikita's tummy? That's me. A trendsetter!

Paean to Pain

Mad about knitting,

But pain's return gives me pause.

All projects? Full stop!


The lovely yarn taunts,

The hanks, heavy with promise

Of gifts left unmade.





Lisa Souza Merino Sock, Mountain Colors Bearfoot)