The Land of Wool and Honey

Question

What do you do when the power (and heat!) goes out at work? 

Is it:

A. Pile on a good portion of the knitwear collection you've got at your fingertips;

or

B. Start a new project?

Answer?  Um, duh.  Both.

The Noro sweater in the first photo is one I've had for years--a hybrid pattern knit by my friend Marcia; the granny bandit is the Traveling Woman I knit in Costa Rica; and the black hat is one of my most recent FOs.  The new project is tomorrow's weekly installment of The Twelve Knits of Christmas.  (You know how I do my best work under pressure.)

Pattern: Super Cupcake Hat by Bonne Marie Burns.  (I love this pattern.  Obvs.)

Yarn: The Plucky Knitter Primo Worsted in Carbon--one skein, with just a few yards left.

Started: Friday, November 18th, 2011.

Finished: Saturday, November 19th, 2011.

Needles: US 6 & 7 16" circular and US 7 dpns.

Notes: Followed the pattern exactly, but popped down in needle size and added one inch to the body for more slouch.  Best hat pattern I've knit in a long time--everyone loves it.

(Actually, I took this photo of myself on Tuesday--a normal day.  With heat.  Today I wore four pieces of knitwear plus my knee-length puffer.  And just so you know?  I had three shirts on underneath that Noro sweater.  Wispy, I am not, but gosh darn it--I don't have arm rolls.)

Fireside Slipper Socks

Now that my Christmas tree is up (white lights, homemade ornaments and all,) I am trying to think of any way I can to stay home, curl up in front of our wood stove and stay there.  Indefinitely.  I want to cozy up with all of my creature comforts--hot, spicy cider, a sleepy kitty, baskets of knitting and thick, cozy socks.  

I designed these slipper socks specifically for winter moments--they're heavier than fit-in-your-shoes socks, but because the cuff is short and the needles are large, they may just be the perfect thing to knit yourself for the Christmas holiday.

Project: Fireside Slipper Socks by yours truly.  

Started: November 1st, 2011

Finished: November 3rd, 2011

Yarn: Malabrigo Rios in Zarzamora, one skein.

Needles: Brittany US 4 dpns

Notes: The path to coziness starts here.  All I need now is a snow day.

 

Dotty

In the years before I bought the shop (back when it was Inish Knits), I knit.  A lot.  Hard to believe, I know, but I actually knit more when I worked for someone else--when my livelihood didn't revolve around sticks and string.  The type of work I used to do was fine, even great sometimes.  Listening to Radiohead at truly epic levels while wearing ripped jeans and latte-stained hoodies, roasting 500 pounds of coffee a day isn't a horrible way to carve out a living, especially when you're making $15 an hour.  I was in great shape, the work was easy (albeit mindless) and the coffee flowed like free, caffeinated water.  What's not to like? 

You know that old saying about an English degree gone to waste?  (Okay, so there isn't really an official saying.  But there should be.)  Well, with all that simple task mastering, you spend lots of your time busying your unquiet mind.  Weeks worth of menus are planned months ahead of time, unspoken conversations are staged, your next seventeen knitting projects get planned--you know the thing.  And because you've spent so much time working out all the mathematical/design kinks in your head, when it's time to actually sit down to knit, well.  Those needles are smokin'.   

I used to knit so much, in fact, that I was almost (almost) considered a production knitter.  If you didn't already know this about me (ha), I rather like knitting the same pattern over and over (and over) again. Knitting isn't always about the chase the challenge--I'm big on repetitive motion.  It's probably my favorite part about it.  That the same motion, done ten thousand times over, creates one long, continuous wearable fabric.   How's that for Zen?

One of my signature projects, knit sixty three times if I knit it once, was the ubiquitous clutch purse.  This week, I felt a little nostalgic.  Not only am I headed over to Leelanau Coffee Roasting tomorrow to do a bit of holiday packaging, but I decided it was time to share the pattern.

Pattern: The Dotty Clutch--Week Number Ten's project.  (Ten!)

Started: Thursday, December 1st, 2011

Finished: Friday, December 2nd, 2011

Yarn: Shepherd's Wool worsted weight in Granite (one skein) and oddments of Peace Fleece roving in Antarctic White, Shaba Green, Volsippi Blue, Baltic Blue and Blue Jay.

Needles: US 8 16" circular.

I've knit this clutch for friends, co-workers' wives, sisters, holiday craft shows--I even worked up a variation for each of my seven bridesmaids.  Somehow, no matter how many times I've knit it, I'm supremely pleased with the end result. 

I hope you'll find this little project as satisfying as I do. 

Nothing But Cashmere

My first gift of the season--finished before December, even.

I'm as surprised as the next girl.

With this gift, I declare Christmas 2011: The Year of Cashmere.  There's nothing I want more.  Ever.  I just hope Santa gets the memo.

Pattern:  A modified Super Cupcake Cowl by Bonne Marie Burns.  (I cast on 100 vs. 118 and used a smaller needle.  I think.)

Started: Friday, November 25th, 2011.

Finished: Monday, November 28th, 2011.

Yarn: Handmaiden 4-ply Cashmere in Amethyst, 1 skein.

Needles: US 5 16" circular.

Notes: While I don't usually knit for other people--almost never, as my knitting is pretty limited to shop samples--I luxuriated in every moment of this project.   Knitting that wasn't related to work?  Pure, unadulterated, kitten-chin-soft cashmere?  That I bought from another yarn shop?  Selfish, it was. 

And I loved every minute of it.

Merry Making

It's December.  Ready, set, knit. 

I'm here to say that this time, my silence on the blog has been directly related to the sheer amount of knitwear I've produced over the past six weeks.  I'm doing my part to make this Christmas special, handmade--and covered in wool.  In fact, I've amassed such a pile of knits that I'll be posting a finished project every day this month.

Well, there's a good chance I will. 

A fairly good chance.  

Okay. 

I'll do my best. 

Pattern: Millwater by Beth Kling.  (Hard copies in the shop this weekend!)

Started: Saturday, November 12th, 2011

Finished: Wednesday, November 16th, 2011

Yarn: The Plucky Knitter Primo Worsted in Peep Toes, 2 skeins.  Perfect red, although because red is the single most difficult color to photograph, I'm not sure that translates very well here.  (I'll also be listing some of the Primo in the shop this week.)

Needles: US 7 24" circular.

Modifications: None but one: with the yardage I had (400 yds,) I could only make it through 16 cable twists instead of 17.  With a bit of wet-blocking, I think it's the perfect length.  I have been wearing it nonstop since the Friday before last.  (It might have still been damp when I slung it around my neck the first time.)

Notes:  My goals before starting this project? 

1. Test knit one of Beth's patterns before bringing them into the shop (another Michigan girl!);

2. Try out the Primo Worsted for myself (caaaaaaashmere.....);

3. Knock out a simple yet Anthro-esque infinity cowl that would become another shop sample; 

4. Knit a fabulous scarf for myself this year. 

Done, done, done and done.

Scratch

 

Finally.  A finished piece.  The first of this fall's knits on this first day of September.

Project: Robin's Egg Blue Hat by Rachel Iufer.

Started & Finished:  Saturday, August 27th 2011.

Yarn: Misti Alpaca Handpaint Chunky, one skein in Magic Flute.

Needles: US 9 in 16", 32" and dpns.

Button: Enameled copper from my friend Elara, Frankfort artist--only available at the shop. 

Mods: A bunch, actually.  I didn't really like the flap as written (a little sloppy, I thought, as is most increasing/decreasing within seed stitch), so I scrapped it halfway and knit a flat edge instead.  I also thought the decrease sequence made the hat too pointy, so I continued in stockinette without decreasing until the piece measured 7 1/2" from the CO and then used The Cheater Method, which I think fits and looks much better.  (1--*K2, k2tog; 2--K all sts; 3--*K1, k2tog; 4--K all sts; 5--*K2tog).  And, a modification I could have made but didn't?  I could have even gone down to 8s.  Or better still, I wish I had cast on fewer stitches--the hat is just a bit big, even on 9s, rather than the suggested 10s.  I am a loose knitter, people. 

 

Love the slipped stitch edge--a detail I often forget to include.

I also love that the pattern took just one skein of this luscious, happy yarn--Misti Alpaca Handpainted Chunky.  It's a new yarn for the shop, and just the right match for color-drenched accessories.

 

Red Rover, Azulichen, Winter Queen, Magic Flute, Hyacinth.

It's Here

 

...and it's spectacular. 

 [Seinfeld, anybody?] 

 

Road to China Light is a heavenly blend of 60% baby alpaca, 20% silk, 10% camel, 10% cashmere.  This yarn is unbelievable. 

Eight breathtaking colors in Road To China Light from The Fibre Company, one of the newest yarns at Wool & Honey.  Remember back in April when we held the contest for one lucky customer to decide on summer inventory at the shop?  (If you are not a subscriber to our e-newsletter, you're probably out of the loop, but PM me at spunhoneyfibers AT gmail DOT com and you'll soon be in the know!)

 

Anyhoo, my sweet friend Michele Greenan was winner of that contest and two extraordinary yarns from The Fibre Co. were her winners--Road To China Light and Canopy Fingering, which I'll introduce tomorrow.  (So maybe I pushed her in that general direction.  Whoops.) 

We'll be featuring both of these yarns in several shop samples, kits and classes in the next few weeks--lots of small projects (and a few big ones, too!) for holiday knitting.  (Yeah.  It is time to think about it.  Sorry.)  The hat on the shelf?  One skein of RTCL ($16) + Frukttragard pattern ($7.25)=an exquisite Christmas present for under $25.  Seriously.  

Big plans people! 

A huuuuuuuge thank you to Michele--it's even better than I dreamed.  Thanks for making this a reality!

Oh, Happy Day!

It's always exciting to introduce a new yarn company at Wool & Honey and it feels even more special when it's a small, independent one.  Fiberphile Yarns is one of those: a very small, family-run business that supplies a select few yarn shops around the country with exceedingly beautiful yarn.  Handdyed by Georgia in Vermont, these explosive, super-saturated skeins aren't just one-of-a-kind. 

They're stunning.

 

We've been anticipating this order for quite some time and I was thrilled when Georgia emailed me last week to say she'd finished dyeing this particular box.

 

Colors in stock:  Elvira, True Heart, Copper Rose, Pumpkin Spice, Organic, Olivine, Bluebird, Royale, Concord and Peony.

MCN Luxe Sock is an exquisite concoction of superwash Merino, nylon and a fiber no true yarn junkie should live without--cashmere.

 
 

When you've got a beautiful yarny rainbow to choose from, it's not hard to come up with endless, multi-hue combinations.  You know me.  I'm always sort of stuck here in Stripe World, where I'm dreaming up millions of two-color combinations.

  

Combinations that would be perfect for this pattern.  Or this one.  (Oooh, or that one!)

 

   

Seriously.  Is it possible for yarn to be more beautiful?

Brilliant.

Shazam!

And just like that, it's summer.

Hot sun + brown skin, sandals + bright toenail polish, busy days + happy customers.  

Oh, yeah.  And yarn.  Lots more yarn.

{Squee!}

 

Every day this week, I'll be posting pictures of new yarn, patterns, notions and treats for your viewing pleasure.  Packages and parcels are showing up every day--I'm heading to the post office in about a half hour where I expect to be loaded down with several more: we're getting ready for our peak season.  (I'm also adding  the treasures of the season to the new and improved website this week for your [veryverysoonipromisesoon] shopping pleasure.)

First up?  A restock of Malabrigo Lace.  Ahem.  A huge restock of Malabrigo Lace.

 

(L to R: Water Green, Sky Blue, Continental Blue, Azul Profundo, Buscando Azul, Azul Bolita, Violetas, Pearl Ten, Pearl.) 

(L to R: Frank Ochre, Apple Green, Saphire Green, Verde Adriana, Verde Esperanza.)

 

(L to R: Pagoda, Rhodesian, Sunset, Sauterne)

 

(L to R: Applewood, Shocking Pink, Fucsia)

Somehow, I'm missing a close-up of Geranio, another lovely reddish pink, but no matter.  You get the idea. 

Every color is a winner.

Best. Monday. Ever.

Today, I had an amazing workout (I executed 40 more push-ups than in last week's Chest and Back sesh), got an unexpected check in the mail from reversed bank charges,  confirmation that even more yarn will be arriving this week, picked up a package that was practically overnighted from Chicago, chatted with a few lovely customers, received a long-awaited Etsy purchase (buttons!), received a phone call from my doting mother, a clever set of early birthday cards arrived from my sister Becca, dinner's in the oven and I have an entire night to knit. 

But the best thing to happen today?  The steady stream of new yarn has begun to arrive.  

 

Wolles Yarn Creations self-striping cotton.  4-ply fingering weight--480 yds.  $24.00.  Call to order--(231) 228-2800. 

And since Monday's over, there's nowhere to go but up.  Best week ever.