La Sirena

Ribbed Lace Bolero

 

Been highly skeptical of the idea of "sleeves" (also known as boleros and shrugs) as their own independent garment for years.  After all, if you need/want sleeves, isn't it quite likely that you need/want to cover the rest of your upper body as well?

I always thought so.  Until I moved to Texas and took a job with a dress code and air conditioning.  Suddenly this bolero pattern(a small holey rectangle stitched up at the ends to form armholes) seemed like the answer to my current fashion dilemma of how to gracefully transition from hot to cool/office to ROW (rest of world). 

I immediately cast on using only yarn from stash, hence the two toned pachuko cotton.  Sleeves do have a function!  That said, I haven't worn mine outside the house yet.  I still haven't fully stilled the voice in my head shouting that the emperor has no clothes: "That cardigan is missing a front and lower half!"

 

Bigger One-Piece Kimono

 

Guess, I can't call this the baby Kimono anymore.  I followed the same Mason-Dixon principals as for the baby kimonos eyeballing the measurements as I went along to make a big-girl version. Some of the details that took this from baby to big-girl include: stockinette, understated crochet trim, straight 3/4 sleeves and seed stitch gores at the sides for a little extra ease and swing.

Because I'm sure you were dyeing to know...

the results of my recent experiments in the kitchen (yarn was involved)

I proudly present red cabbage and onion skins (freed at last from the zip-lock bag in the closet):

    

After prolonged simmering and steeping on the stove-top, the dye is ready to meet the yarn.  The yarn leaves the mordant bath and joins the dye bath where it frolics for hours.    

In the end the yarn emerges transformed.  See red cabbage (lower left) and Onion-skin dyed yarn (lower right) shown with Turmeric (upper left) and ... can you guess what produced the creamy golden brown?

 

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day Mom! I made you a sweater.  And in the true spirit of hand-crafted mother's day gifts there are a couple of things about it that are a little off.  Here it is:

I know it would be better if it were there, but it will get there eventually. Meanwhile, I'm not sure if it needs some tweaking first.  It was supposed to look like this:

But I thought the ruffles on the sleeve were a little odd and over-the-top. I'm having a little trouble getting the buttons to lie as well and provide as much closure as they do in the picture lying relatively flat.  I know there is a bit of peak-a-boo space in the original as well, but am not sure if the whole double button thing is working.  Maybe I should stick with buttons on one side and have them go all the way down?  I love the lace flowing out of the pockets, and on the back and on down the sleeves. But there is something a little shrunken about the whole thing that worries me a little (even though I knit the size large, but large in L.A. may be a relative term)  This may the sort of cardigan that is mostly worn open.  Or lovingly stored in the closet as a momento of my affection.  That's OK too.  I promise to send the needlework birthing doll (and knit uterus) soon. Much love, Mom Jr.

On Knitting Female Anatomy

There are many reasons people knit (or crochet) female anatomy:

- For educational purposes:

Some midwives use knit and crocheted uteri to demonstrate concepts of dilation etc.  These can be purchased here.  A free pattern is given here.

Breastfeeding organizations find knit breasts helpful in teaching new Moms proper lactation techniques.  There's actually a lot on this on the web, but one such article (with a pattern link) can be found here.

- For charity and comfort during hard times:

This prosthetic breast pattern appeared in the Fall 2005 Issue of Knitty. Designed by a breast-cancer survivor who sells already knit versions here, the pattern has inspired knitters across the country to knit these more fashionable and cozier versions of the standard breast prosthetic for their less fortunate sisters.

- To showcase our (pro)creative powers:

(these activists suggest piling knit uteri on the White house steps)

- To endear us to the beauty and mystery of our anatomy:

Knit Uterus pattern featured in Knitty Winter Issue of 2004.

--Because we can...

This pillow pattern is for sale on anslybleu's etsy shop

My mother, a midwife, who will be lecturing at Yale next week (just had to throw that in) sent me this photo of a soft and voluptuous crocheted birthing doll with newborn attached by the umbilical cord alongside a plastic Barbie doll with baby emerging from her stomach; both visual aids to an interview appearing in Midwifery Today.  My mother's note in the margin read:  "What do you think? a new knitting challenge?"  I can't say that it is particularly new, in fact, crafting likenesses of the female form is certainly one of the oldest of art forms, but am I up to the challenge?  Absolutely.  After all, it is for educational purposes.

More Purple Knitting

The color is bit off in the picture, it is supposed to be:  "dusty lavender", but you get the idea.  I'm on a purple jag.  I was having so much fun knitting the central lace pattern from Sweater babe's Lush and Lacy Cardigan that I  had nearly completed the back by the time I remembered I was supposed to decrease for the armholes a few inches back.  Oops.  Backtrack about 2130 stitches (don't ask me what perverse compulsion led me to calculate this since it took less than 5 minutes to rip and re-insert needles) and knit forward a couple of hours and voila! I now have a back with appropriate armhole shaping. 

Korsnas

I think I could stare at this image all day.  These will definitely be going on my wishlist and once they are finished I will be sure to find an excuse to carry about lots of talavera pottery, (and take pictures to post of course).

The pattern for these stunning fingerless gloves and a wonderful article on Korsnas knitting and crochet work can be found at http://www.black-purl-magazine.com/

Purple Socks

Garter Heel Socks by Susan Lawrence from The Ultimate Sock Book, knit in Knitpicks Essential Tweed Sock Yarn.  This was a most satisfying knit and I could definitely see myself knitting these in other colors, like charcoal gray perhaps.  My yarn overs are slightly more prominent in one sock than the other, looking a little bit like I've got a run in my stocking.  I'll have to see if I can fix that with some blocking. 

My favorite part of these socks?  The garter stitch heel of course!

A little bit hideous

I present to you a finished pair of socks,  knit in self-striping "ONline" sock yarn in the Sierra color-way.  Seeing the finished product, there is something about them that is, well, just a little bit hideous (the colors in the picture below are more accurate).  Perhaps it is just the season.  I think these socks would look lovely under a brooding sky.  They seem well suited to walk the misty moors; to scale craggy mountain tops; to inch closer to the fire and pull a blanket close around the shoulders.  In accordance with Murphy's law, or perhaps just my own fickle nature, I completed the socks in just in time for Texas Spring.  I think the socks may be destined for Afghanistan.

In the meantime, I learned how to make a short-row heal.  The right way (on the right) and the wrong way (on the left, with all the holes before I seemed them shut. ) 

Sisterly Knitting

Before launching on superstitious tangeants, there was knitting (and crochet).   I did a bit of both while in Mexico, but did not get the camera back until earlier this week.

Here is the work on a white cabled vest for my sister (still waiting on a picture of the FO from the recipient).  You will note the fine workmanship my sister-in-law graced on my nails (alas, the picture's a bit blurry).   

My other sister kindly presented me with two skeins of variagated yarn, and the proposal that we make eachother something with it by the end of the week.  She requested armwarmers.  This was my opportunity to try the magic loop method (knitting in the round on one cirular needle) while she whipped up a crochet hat.  We were both pleased with the result.

I like the magic loop method and would use it again, especially when caught without drop-needles but don't expect to be converting entirely to circulars anytime soon.

PS: There are some new additions to the FO gallery as well, (both in 2007 and 2008).