New York and Rhinebeck 2014 !

 

 Here are few snapshots of my trip to Rhinebeck and New York;

 The trip to Rhinebeck was organised months ahead. We took the train line- metro north from Grand central New York to Poughkeepsie which was the last stop. Stunning views along the Hudson although autumn colours were less pronounced comparing to two years ago. Ran like mad to get places on  the shuttle bus and planned to reach our favourite dyers first. So did hundreds others :)
Queues were unbelievably long so I left my Miss Babs goodies only to encounter another massive queue in dragonfly yarns stand. Not willing to let go this time, I withstand sudden showers and cuddled my skeins for extra warmth and protection. A steaming lamb and barley soup lifted up my spirits and I was reunited with the glass needles stand and moving mud buttons. Expensive but ever so pretty and regal.

 

 Here is Caroline with her stunning monomania. We happen to see quite a few of those. This is one of my favourite photos of the trip.

The journey back to New York wasn't that comfortable. The shuttle bus was late to leave the show grounds and we arrived to Poughkeepsie, literally a minute before the train left the station. I felt sorry for the elderly who could not run as fast as us. Alas, the train progressed for couple of minutes and then stopped - some technical failure. We had to walk in a column back to the beginning of the track and join a different train. Couple of stations later and we were packed like sardines without much leg room  as everybody it seemed was carrying either bags full of wool or apples. The train was moving incredibly slow- the locals were eager to inform us about this incident where the train derailed into the Hudson and people were being killed as a result!! We were so tired once we reached the hotel we didn't even meet for our customary show and tell.

This trip was such an indulgence for me. No kids and husband tugging along, lots of yarn fumes, girlie laughs and chats, long walks, nice food and shopping galore!

I even got to learn  some basic spinning from Jill my lovely room mate..

I had to take this shot of a sweater by Stella McCartney - A three (or four?) sleeved top anyone??

Two shawl projects were taken to this trip just in case I ran out of knitting - what was I thinking ??
but that is to a later post..x

VulcanSpy Hat !

Took a quick break from packing for Rhinebeck to show you this lovely hat knitted to my friend.
You know when a friend does you a favour which you are very grateful for but money isn't at all appropriate? well its easy for us knitters, we just knit from our heart.
Ali wanted a slouchy hat with a pompom. Few hat patterns were shown to her and the favourite was this three coloured slouchy piece , the Vulcanspy hat
I tried to use similar colours as the original model as I knew she loved the combination. For the dull blue and the dark beige I used stash- Rowan kid Classic. But I had to find this bright neon peach and I was lucky to spot couple of skeins in hedgehog fibres update which arrived promptly.

I always appreciate a good design and if I learn something new, its a bonus.
The hat is dense and warm and, using a DK weight on small needles. Instead of labouring with a cable needle you use a quick little manoeuvre (you have to read it in the pattern I'm afraid) to achieve a cable looking slant.
Also I managed to cast on with a different method than I usually use for tubular cast on- it looks a bit like long tail cast on but with a different needle motions. Ysolda have a video for that in her tutorials.
I love the extra cover for the ears - just brilliant!
It is all done except the pompom.. sigh - not my favourite thing and I have a good excuse for my procrastination - R H I N E B E C K !!! :-)

 

Endearment and a Donkey !

My Endearment is complete and here is the proof :-)
I was trying to persuade this beautiful mare to tilt her head to the camera but she stubbornly insisted of showing us ,ahem.. her ass. Where I live there are ever growing in numbers herds of well behaved donkeys. This late September there are few new adorable foals which will have to grow fast to survive the winter's cold.
Back to my Endearment, I thoroughly enjoyed knitting it. It is a beautiful pattern with a vintage feel to it and with some lovely thought details. I've never knitted before such double knit hems and cuffs so was happy to learn a new method. It took me less than 300 grams of 4 ply to make the small size.
It took me a while to decide on the buttons , had to find 6 pairs that match the greyness and lace pattern. I chose odd metal silver buttons I had in stash . They are almost all different from each other and it add to this cardigan's charm.

On the 16th of October I am flying with a small group of obsessed ladies. We all share the same obsession of course ;-)The destination is New York city and Rhinebeck wool show. I was there two years ago and it was an amazing trip which I intend to repeat :)
will keep you posted !

Endearment - Progress shots !

Am totally engrossed in knitting this beautiful pattern.

A design by Hanna Maciejewska , collaborated with my favourite Uncommon thread dyer, Ce as an exclusive kit for a limit period.

One of the knitting projects I loved

 

The lace pattern on the fronts is striking and well worth the extra attention in knitting it. It is actually easier than it looks. The yarn is uncommon thread tough sock . I've got an extensive collection of this base just love knitting with it. It has a certain crispiness to it , it keeps in shape, not too floppy and the stitch definition is exceptional. I'm addicted to greys and this is a fine example of a very light grey that is coming alive with darker shadows. Less is more here.

An interesting knitting detail is the hem which is double knitted so you are getting a think band with some short row shaping that makes the back hem wider than the front hem and with a saucy split at the back :)

 Soon to start on button bands . Have you notice those cute button pairing on the design?
Am now on the look out for buttons..

Will keep you posted ! :)

 

Triangle jacket -test knitting

I succumbed to test knitting once more : )
This Jacket popped up few times on my friends favourite in ravelry and I remember being intrigued with that lovely triangular pocket and the those curvy lines along the body. The designer is Jutta  HintermStein ; have a look at her projects, tailored, fitted , flattering ..

The recommended yarn for this jacket shouldn't be too drapery, you need an element of rigidness and stiffness to make this work as a Jacket.  I had a tight deadline so had to choose stash yarn- RYC rowan baby alpaca. I know, not the best choices for this garment but the plan was to knit it dense and tight  (3.25 mm for body and 2.5 for collar and button bands) which also served my sizes dilemma. I find at times that I'm between the XS and S of the pattern given measurements so on many occasions I'm choosing to go up a size and knit it slightly tighter.

The pattern was written in European (mainland) style. It gives you all the information you need to know without too much paper waste and assumes the knitter will know how to progress. Perhaps a bit challenging to the novice knitter and I was mentally comparing it to the British and American patterns which mostly spoon feeding you with all instructions. I also loved the abundant small photo inserts which were very helpful.

My mods were making the pockets less tall - personal preference I guess.
I knitted few more rows for the collar to be sure its going to behave and sit back and for extra help I even sew two vintage baby black glass buttons on the collar to keep matters in place..

So pleased how it turned out, even with the alpaca..

 

Veste Ilona in yellow and gold

 

Few months ago Caroline whatsapped me in excitement about this marvellous cotton cardi sample in a Nice knitting shop. Unbeknown to her a mutual friend, Tracy, was also visiting Nice at that time . All of us decided to buy the yarn to knit this glam cardigan; Caroline in the original Anni Blatt Louxur cotton in pale peach, Tracy in Anny blatt purple and I just asked for the tape yarn 'Victoria' in gold to match Rowan cotton glace 'butter' I had in stash.

 

 

I was super motivated at the beginning and enjoyed working the easy to memorise cables and the exquisite , gold chain bracelet like bands..

 

Alas, I only realized after finishing the back that the yardage of Rowan cotton glace is significantly lower than the original Anny Blatt louxur cotton. I desparately needed  more balls , otherwise my cardigan is going to turn into a vest ! My dear friend Wendy which seems to stock all Rowan discontinued  colours and yarns came to the rescue ( and not for the first time..) and I got about ten (just needed 3-4) more yellow balls which saved the day but added more to stash...

 

 

 

Another problem rose, the dye batches although not very different to the naked eye are actually rather clashing when are knitted next to each other. The iPhone camera really picks up the difference and emphasizes it. The new batch is yellower (see sleeve?)..

 

Its all done now , which was a bit of a drag, I so much more love knitting with wool than cotton. Caroline which can knit without looking at her work reports a spilitty Anny blatt cotton yarn...

 

My son took some photos today as I have a duty to post :-) they are OK but the cardigan is now shoved to some dark drawer. We need some time apart ..