Aran Knitting by Alice Starmore

Posted on by under Historial knitting books, Sweaters

PrincessMitts

AranKnitting

Na_Craga

Here’s the checklist –
1) Finished the Princess Mitts – check!
2) Reading At Knit’s End by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee – check! (not finished)
3) Found a new book – check!

In reading Stephanie’s book of essays, I realized that I need to do it in bits a few pages at a time. The witty Stephanie has to be absorbed in small snatches!

That being said, I found a book that hasn’t even made it to the shelf yet. Aran Knitting by Alice Starmore – New & Expanded Edition book was a Stitches East purchase in November. Ok, Ok so I’m not obsessive about organizing my books. That’s half of why I’m doing the blog to see if I can get any of the books out of my library.

Why Aran Knitting? Why Alice Starmore?

I love the history so I really want to read Alice’s take on the subject. I’ve heard a bit of her thoughts over the years, but a refresher couldn’t hurt.

I also love Aran patterns (to knit that is). I’ve already picked out my favorite. I’ve had it in my mind to knit my niece and her husband (of Irish heritage) plus kids Irish Knits. I could start with the Na Craga pullover for her. I know – call me crazy! A bit ambitious for sure. In this lifetime??

Officially done with Book of Yarn

Posted on by under Accessory projects, Essays - knit & crochet, Overview of Yarns

BookofYarn_End

AtKnitsEnd

Well, I’m almost done!  It’s only been a couple of months with this one book. I do admit that I still have to finish my 2nd Princess Mitt so I’m still hanging on to a few pages for awhile.

By the way, I thought I was done with the book and then I got to the last section called “Putting It All Together”. Wow! That could be a whole book. How to care for knits, abbreviations, a comprehensive glossary, recommended reading, etc, etc. Clara Parkes sure did her homework!

I’ve decided that while I’m on this journey, I’m going to add a little thumbs up, thumbs down or as I like to say: keeper or ebay fodder.

Book of Yarn: Definitely a keeper!

Next book: At Knit’s End, Meditations of Women who Knit too much by The Yarn Harlot, Stephanie Pearl McPhee.

I’ve cheated a little and am on page 68. It’s a laugh a page or sometimes a “yeah, I get that” moment. It’s nice to be actually reading and not trying to absorb much about yarn/knitting. This is a pleasant diversion.

Oh, and by the way, I’m not sure that I can give this one up. It’s personally signed to me by Stephanie. Got to keep the autographed books forever…

Image

Got books!

bookself

So I’m back in my office with ALL my knitting books. Well, not really all of them, but let me say MOST of them.

What to read next. That is the question. Clara Parkes‘ book was so technical, so I think I’ll go for something a little lighter.

Truthfully I’m not quite done with Book of Yarn. I’ve promised myself that by next blog, I’ll be finished. Ok, almost finished. Still have to knit the 2nd Princess Mitt!

Started on the Princess Mitts

Posted on by under Accessory projects, Overview of Yarns

first_mitt

page175

I must confess that I’m still in vacation mode so knitting sometimes is easier than reading. Well, as you can see my knitting is also in vacation mode. I made a couple mistakes in my cable pattern. I refused to rip it out though so it’s a done deal.

Actually, I had a bit of an issue with the cable chart. The whole pattern is made up of even number of stitches for the k2, p2 ribbing. How can there be a cable chart over 17 stitches that will come out like the picture. I sort of fudged it to make it work. Spoken like an adventurous knitter!

Next step is to create the second mitt and redeem myself.

Oh and by the way, the gauge issue didn’t seem like much of a problem. The mitt seems to fit just fine!

Yarn and swatching

Posted on by under Overview of Yarns

yarn_needles

swatch

Another week has gone by and I’m happy to report that I’m up to page 177 out of 252. Progress is being made on the reading and observing part. Actually it’s a bit of a cheat as I only really covered 3-ply and 4-ply yarns sections (lots of projects to pursue in these sections). I now know that 3-ply yarns are perfectly balanced – amazing – who knew?

On to the project-making part that has been weighing heavily on my mind. Not really so heavily, but it sounds good. I feel like I’m going one step forward and two steps backwards.

Mistake 1: I purchased a lovely variegated yarn for the project and then realized that the mitts have a cable pattern. How will it ever show up with this yarn? Back to Michael’s for a pretty solid blue wool. By the way, this yarn has 3-plies.

Mistake 2: I actually purchased a set of double-pointed needles in size 7 (4.5mm) when I probably have at least 3 sets (since my last purge of needles and hooks). So I get home with my solid yarn and dutifully swatch a good-sized swatch. No good – gauge 18 sts and 24 rows over 4″.

Mistake 3: I tried a swatch with straight size 6 (4mm) needles (before I buy another set of dons). Well this gauge is 19 sts and 26 rows over 4″. Ugh! Not good. I can’t go much lower in needle size with this yarn.

Brilliant idea! I exchanged the size 7 (4.5mm) double-pointed needles at Michael’s. Forget that I had made a swatch with 2 of the needles (hardly used) for a set of bamboo double-pointed size 6 (4mm) needles.

The result: 20 sts and 26 rows over 4″. I give up! I’ve knit more swatting than one whole finished mitt. I’m going to knit the mitts with the bamboo needles and hope for the best. I know this is technically wrong – knitting gods, please forgive me!

Yarn for the project

Posted on by under Overview of Yarns

variegated yarn

This week I feel like I’m sitting in the cat-bird seat being away from the snow that the whole Northeast is experiencing. In Florida all we got was some fairly warm rain. But I digress.

Back to the book.

This week I’m reading “Ply me a River”. Very puny! I’ve gotten through single and two-ply yarns that come along with a number of projects for each type.

I’ve decided that one thing I really like about this book is the way the patterns are laid out. As a former knitting editor, I take this very seriously. Easy to find all the info you need about size, yarn, needles, notions and gauge. Clara gives a nice personal note at the beginning to tell you a little more about the yarn, designer or the project. Really nice touch.

This week I also decided on yarn for my Project #8 Princess Mitts. Not having a ball of worsted yarn suitable for the project in Florida (OMG – so much yarn at home!), I ventured to Michael’s. Yes, no local yarn shop, but I did Clara Parkes proud buying on ball of 100% variegated wool. I could do no less in my journey through her book! The yarn was on sale – so even better!

Moving on the Making Yarn

Posted on by under Overview of Yarns

make_yarnI’ve finally finished all the fibers, ending with cellulosic (not to be confused with cellulose made from plants) that are plant-based such as rayon but extruded. This is complex – you’ll have to read the book! The last section was on synthetic fibers – something I’m really familiar with having worked for several yarn companies who specialize in yarns from synthetics. Basic take-away on these sections is that both cellulosic and synthetic fibers were created to replicate natural fibers such as wool.

So, moving along – I can see this year of reading is going to go pretty slowly if I don’t accelerate!

Making yarn starts talking about small spinners that make yarn – sometimes for themselves and sometimes for other small yarn companies. I must admit that most of my experience is with huge companies that create tons of yarn a year rather than a limited number of pounds/kilos.

Clara added an informative page with fiber festivals throughout the US by month. I didn’t know there is one in CT in April. Will add it to my list of must-dos this year.

Moving on to Cellulose Fibers

Posted on by under Overview of Yarns

project_8OK! Finally done with Protein Fibers. The last was silk. Silk is considered a protein even though it isn’t shorn or plucked from an animal. My big take-away was the two different types of silk – from silk worms that eat only mulberry leaves (bombyx silk) and those who eat all kinds of leaves (tussah silk). Obviously, bombyx is finer and fancier. Bottom line: silk is great when mixed with other fibers.

Onward! Cellulose is today’s reading (actually yesterday – but I digress). These are cotton (mainly discussed) plus linen and hemp. My big take-away: I now know why I’ve always loved mercerized cotton the best – shiny, receptive to dyes, and less likely to stretch out of shape.

I’ve decided in this journey that I should make at least one project from each book. Right now I’m leaning to Princess Mitts from the 4-ply project #8. Let’s see if I change my mind as I read on….

Section 1 – Fiber Foundations

Posted on by under Overview of Yarns

proteinFibersI’m off and running with the first section of the book. Today I started where many knitters begin – protein fibers. No they aren’t lean chicken or God forbid – steak. These protein fibers come from animals such as sheep and alpaca. Clara made it really easy to follow. I started out with sheep wool (the largest part of this section).

What did I learn about wool – It varies depending on breed. Also wool fibers are covered with scales – the more scales the finer the yarn (such as Merino. I learned how super wash wool is made – wouldn’t you like to know.

I also read sections about mohair and cashmere (both from goats) and a couple of other goat breeds that were new to me. On to angora (from bunnies), camels (yes, camels), alpaca, llama and I gave up at ! Who knew there were so many animals producing fibers – actually I did know, but learned interesting facts that hopefully I’ll store away for good cocktail banter…..