Koi Sock Up Close and Reviews!

I promised I'd show you how the Koi sock yarn knits up, once I had a sample. I can't show you the sock, but here are two views of it's components. This is how it looks in a twisted slip stitch. Note the lack of pooling or striping. It's a real variegated yarn, with many shadings and not a lot of sameness. I love that.


And here is how it looks in plain stockinette, 64 stitches to a row. I think it looks really nice. I love the light and dark versions of each color, and the little blips of other colors popping in and out. This is good, since my Andromeda shawl won't use up my first skein of laceweight, which means I will need to figure out something big to do with the rest.

As for those socks, I re-learned a common lesson with reading knitting patterns. That is to READ the instructions. There is a three-row pattern in the foot of the socks I was knitting, which I read the first time, carefully. Then I figured I understood it and didn't read carefully the second and consequent times, and missed a few key words. They made the sock a nice thing, but not the one the designer was going for! The second sock will be a fraternal twin!

REVIEWS

I haven't had a chance to look at the new Knitty, but I will. However, I have just purchased two new books that I was impressed with, so I thought I'd share some thoughts on them.

Knitted Socks East and West: 30 Designs Inspired by Japanese Stitch Patterns, by Judy Sumner. What a useful book. First, there is all kinds of interesting information on some stitches that I have never tried before. I minored in Japanese, but can't read well enough to figure out those Japanese books (I can handle the crochet ones, but didn't understand the knitting charts). Sumner helps a lot with the charts, and the execution of the interesting stitches, like ones with wraps and long lifts. My favorite part of the book is her descriptions of how she learned the stitches and the technical stuff. However, there are plenty of lovely socks in the book, too. Most are very textural, with bobbles, wrapped stitches and interesting traveling techniques. They are definitely candidates for solid or semi-solid yarns. I liked the very tall socks, stirrup socks and toe-less socks. It was nice of Sumner to include a variety of styles that would appeal to old and young. Many will work for men, too. I'd say if you are interested in trying some new techniques or adding new stitches to your own designing repertoire, this book is well worth getting. Oh yes, and the photography is pretty clear, so you can get a good idea of what you are aiming for in the unfamiliar ways of making socks!

The Joy of Sox: 30+ Must-Knit Designs, by Linda Kopp. Whoever wrote the title was not kidding. There are really, really a lot of designs in this book that I would like to knit. The only ones that didn't intrigue me much were the ones in worsted weight yarn, but even some of those look like they'd be fun to knit as holiday gifts for house socks, etc. I got the book originally because Melanie, the author of the Pink Lemon Twist blog has a pattern in it (Chick Flick). But once I started looking at the patterns, I was glad I got it. There are some really, really lacy options that I loved (Sweet Nothings and Zhen Zen, for example), but also some wonderful uses of color--some of the colorwork socks are just breathtaking. And if you like cables and twisted stitches, there is plenty of that for you, too. Really, there is nary a dud sock in the book. What got a bit old for me were the sexual innuendo passages and the silly polls that didn't add a thing to the knitting content. The whole "joy of sex" parallel really seems unnecessary. This is such a wonderful collection of interesting socks that I wish they'd come up with a catchy title concept that related more to knitting. Well, it's easy enough to just skip the polls, sex content and such, and enjoy the patterns and the parts about the designers and their experiences--those were interesting!

That's it for me! I have not been feeling very social and am putting most of my energy into work and my knitting. I'm trying to figure out what to do next--I really enjoyed teaching last week and need to figure out a way to get back into that!

Book Review of Knitorama and Not Much Else

How I wish I had something exciting to share with you today. But, all I’ve been doing knitting-wise is continuing down the front of my jacket. I might even finish this weekend, since I am almost to the end of the sleeve, whereupon the rows will be a lot shorter. I did get to the end of my third skein of Kauni, and was thrilled to discover I only had to wind off a few yards of the fourth skein to continue in the striping sequence. I want the front to look pretty, so of course I didn’t want to mar the stripes!

But, wait, I have at least one book to talk about.

Book Review: Knitorama

Yesterday was my birthday, and in addition to the yarn from last weekend, I also got a knitting book. My older son, who forgot to get me anything for Christmas and has had it “mentioned” to him a couple of times, texted me last week, suavely, and asked if I had a book called Knitorama. So, wow, was I surprised or what to find that book sitting on my computer Wednesday morning! He was leaving for the state debate tournament, so he wouldn’t be home for the actual birthday. I was quite impressed at his new and improved technique, probably spurred on by his girlfriend, but that’s fine. He also gave me a really funny hand-drawn card in the format of an SAT question. I’ll always treasure that!

So, I have a book to review, at least! And what a major hoot this book is. It’s from 2005, so many of you may already have it. It was published in England, which may be why I hadn’t seen it. It’s probably not something I would have bought for myself, but once I got to reading it, I began to enjoy the humor and whimsy of both the writing and the projects, very much! The whole book (by Rachael Matthews) is full of photos of young people dressed up in an imaginary “retro” style. Or maybe it’s just “artsy.” They are all holding their knitted items with a glee only found in 50s and 60s ads. And the items are just plain cute. The only pattern I had heard of before is the apple cozy. Yes, a cover for your apple. I’d thought it was a silly item, but when I showed it to the woman who sits next to me in choir, the one who only eats raw food, she got quite excited by it. So, you never know.

Other projects you’ll find in Knitorama are a knitted cake, hand grenade, book (with pages that turn), and the all-time favorite in our family, the crocheted glass of Guinness. I’d thought I should make one for my ex-husband the Irishman, but Tuba Boy texted me most vehemently (if you can do such a think) that HE wanted it!). I happen to have all that naturally colored organic yarn in brown and cream that would be perfect!

I’d say that the most casual knitter or even a non-knitter would enjoy this book, just for the fun writing style, the very beautifully staged illustrations and photos, and the overall light-heartedness. And to top it off, the book is simply well done. The pages are thick and have rounded edges. The publisher, Spruce, did not scrimp on production, which I am predicting will be the rule in the future, the way magazines are getting smaller and on ickier paper, it can’t be far behind for books. I love books, even if I AM Mrs. Internet User.

Here’s a link to the Ravelry page on the book, where you can see samples of the patterns and learn more about it. You can also find it on Amazon, so check it out. It doesn’t even cost too much.

Thanks, Tuba Boy, for the fine gift! And good luck in the tournament (it isn’t over until Saturday night).

Cute Wedding Gift Idea and Book Reviews

I saw this on Lime and Violet's Daily chum, so go there to read more about it. I wish I were invited to a wedding in the near future so I could do this for someone else. It's the idea of the prayer shawl: you start the bag the morning of the wedding, and work on it through the day, presenting it to the bride at the reception. So, you have been thinking of her all day and putting good thoughts inside the bag. Nice!

Well, like I said last night, in my despair over the useless socks (I will start the new ones today), I got new books. I took time of from knitting to look at two of them. I now present you with reviews of books without the actual book in hand, so I can't give page numbers or precise pattern names! Won't that be helpful? Sure!

101 Luxury One-Skein Wonders, by Judith Durant

I enjoyed the first books on this theme that I got, a lot. Pat at the LYS got this one on Friday and showed it to me Saturday. What makes me happy is that many luxury yarns come in very large skeins, which means this book has some very nice projects that are bigger than a hat or coaster. There is a horseshoe lace scarf/wrap in a soy yarn that would be nice to make in a variegated yarn, plus a lovely violet-themed shaw in a silk blend that I like enough to put on my sort list of things to do. The little lace motif that is violet-like is just precious. Another project I liked very much was a crocheted cashmere baby cap. Yes, don't all babies need cashmere? That's why they cry: not enough cashmere on their heads. I may make this out of alpaca or something not so hairy, but I do want to make it for that baby I plan to dote on come March. It is so feminine! And has holes, so might not smother a Texas baby.

All in all, this one's worth getting, if just for the shawl and scarf patterns. There's a wide variety ranging from each to hard, too. And of course, lots of mitts, hats, neck warmers and such. And I still like the graphic design of these books. Very feminine, yet readable. It's a nice change from most pattern books. I especially appreciate that they tell you on the picture page where to find the pattern, and on the pattern page where to find the picture. For folks who just want to see what's in there, grouping the photos together is really helpful.

Knitting on Top of the World, by Nicky Epstein

Well, I have to give Ms. E. credit, she's creative, all right. And this book has beautiful pictures and some very interesting commentary on knitting traditions around the world. I enjoyed reading those parts, though I realized I had read most of the original sources, so there wasn't much new to me (I have been knitting too long I guess).

But, GEEZ. Some of the patterns are totally weird. They take perfectly good traditions and mess them up. For example, there's a coat with Fair Isle patterning in it but she put the stripes right across one's hips, making the ultra-thin model look chunky.And there is a perfectly fine brown Aran-style cardigan with a funky uneven hemline (see, I am OK with some twisting of traditions) she also put dozens of knitted roses all over the collar, which completely detracts from the cables, and makes the thing look...well...too busy, I guess I'd say. There is a pretty coat (see photo--that's the book cover) using genuine Shetland stitches. Only, its back is slit all the way up to the neck. Lee says it looks like a very fancy hospital gown. And would it be at all warm? Well, NO. Same with the shrug with no back. Shrugs are supposed to keep your back and shoulders warm.

I will just mention one more. Now, Ms. E., she is good with tams. Wrote a whole book on them, even. So, she didn't feel like doing a tam for the book. No, instead she made something like a cape from multiple extra-large tam shapes. That makes the front of the thing look like two giant mutated breastplates. Really not a look I'd want to sport in public. I'd have liked a tam.

The other thing that bugged me was that, like so many knitting books, the photographer was trying to be artsy, so you don't get full views of many of the items. And the main model has such distracting looks that she, indeed, distracted me. That poor woman's hair is a pitiful mess. I kept looking at it wondering if it was about to crack and fall off. I see now that it's a Vogue Knitting publication. That makes sense. They have to be artsy 'cause they are Vogue.

I do like the book, and there are a few things in there that I might even make, though all with modifications (like removing embellishments like ugly lame crowns or lumpy collections of colored bobble doo-dads on nice mittens and fingerless mitts). So, you might want to try a discount place to get it, but since it is a great coffee-table size, it might be a fine conversation starter at your home or knitting gathering. I know we had LOTS of fun with that cape that looked like a giant bra.

Added later: I just HAVE to mention one more point. The book features three cute little baby/toddler sweaters in Aran, Fair Isle and some other style. They are perfectly fine and darling little things, though a bunch of extra flowers would guarantee that the Fair Isle one would bug a kid who spends a lot of time lying down. BUT, was it necessary to pose the Fair Isle one as a tea cozy with a too-long spout cover? Or the Aran as a really weird hat (advantage: it covers up the model's fried hair)? I forget what they did with the third one. Well, someone with the title "stylist" obviously had a darned good time with this book.

Winter 2007 Knitter's

THANKS for all the nice Rainy Day Sock comments! Here is a photo of the sock from the side, which shows the raindrop pattern.

Another day of not-too-much knitting gives me not much to share, so let's see what I can say about the Winter 2007 Knitter's magazine. This used to be my favorite, but I think they are now designing things for people with different taste than mine--interesting techniques and all, but if they don't put in a shawl, not much I want to make.

One comment I have is that I thought it was nice that they took the photos in the town where the magazine is based, way up in South Dakota, but they really didn't find many scenic spots. I guess lining models up against graffiti and abandoned buildings is more artistic than putting them in places that give you a feel for the location's good points. Yes, I assume there are many good points to South Dakota.

I enjoyed all the articles (even though I couldn't figure out where Peri was going for a while in hers), and especially liked all the ads. Go ads! If you are an advertiser, yes, people do read them. And go to your websites! Some are so stylized, though, that I have no clue what kind of yarn or other products they have--entice me with something tangible!

As for the projects, which is a big reason why we knitters want a magazine for knitters, they grow on you, I think. Here are the ones that grew the most (my top 5):

• Radiant Diamonds: That's the one most likely to be made by me (ha, like I will ever get to it), but I love the lace diamonds, and it looks very wearable. Quite a pretty item.
  
• Cinnamon Bark: I think this is the loveliest item of them all, but when I looked at the pattern--woo-ee--even this experienced knitter thought, "I'd have to take my time on this one!" It would probably be worth it--that is one elegant looking sweater.


• Honey Gold: I don't think this one is particularly pretty (not fond of the collar especially) but I just LOVE how it is constructed, so I'd want this one just for the experience of making those fun sleeves! It has lots of elements (lace, cables, etc.) that I like, too. Definitely looks like the most fun to try.


• Warm and Ready: The dickie really would be nice for a motorcycle rider, who of course would not be wearing the hat rather than a helmet if he or she were riding on their bike.


• Chalk Stripes Scarf: I know this will be the item most popular with the general public--I already am reading about it. And I must admit that it looks pretty fun. Yeah, I might make one of those in other colors.

Others in the bunch ranged from OK if something were changed (remove the ties from that pink eyelet sweater; make Media Man in a more man-friendly or work-friendly colorway) to plain old ick (I find Chocolate Bars and Teal We Meet Again just ugly). I know many will disagree, so I look forward to seeing these patterns knitted up on Ravelry in a month or so. Your renditions may change my mind!

Color Meme and Knitty Review

First, yay, I finished the Disco Colori socks. You can see their lovely matching heels and the large amount of leftover yarn in this picture. I think I will make my sister wrist warmers out of the leftover, even if they aren't often worn by the over-60 set (much older sister, hee hee). The sparkling silver will make them sort of jewelry-like.




Color Meme



This color meme came from a blog by Kristi. I think it's interesting, so here are my answers.

1. What is your current favorite color? Violet

2. Had your favorite color changed over the years? No, it's been purple most of my life.

3. Is your current favorite color one that is currently trendy? (Do you see it in the fashion rags or on the clothes rack or in the linen aisle right now? How about 5 years ago?) I just bought a shirt in my exact favorite shade, which is a good sign. I see lots of purple linens, so I think it's still in fashion. The apricot and mint scheme I loved in the 80s for home decor is gone, though.

4. What is your favorite color combination? Black and red (wear) or purple and green (look at)

5. Is that combination a popular one? (Is it use in prints you see in the stores and catalogs and magazines now? How about 5 years ago?) There tends to always be black and red stuff to wear, and for the last few years there has been a lot of purple and green home decor stuff. We just got a lot of new items for the guest room in that combo, and painted the walls subtle versions of them.

6. What is your favorite way of using color in your knitting? (Are you a stranded knitter? Do you prefer simple stripes? Do you prefer just accents at the hems/collars?) I like to knit things that subtly change color, or are all mottled. I like stripes, but other than on socks they aren't my best look. I like slip stitch patterns and stranded items a lot. The combo of black with a variegated yarn always looks neat to me.

7. What colors look good on you? In my "normal" hair I look good in deep versions of colors like red, black, dark purple, and blue. Things with more of a bluish tinge. With my colored hair, I can wear a lot more stuff with more orange.

8. What colors look bad on you? Tan that is close to my skin color, pure white, greenish yellow, mauve (muddy colors), lilac (which is too bad because I like the color).

9. Do you wear colors that don’t look good on you just because you like them? For a long time I kept buying lilac yarn and knitting with it, only to see that it didn't look good on me. Same with tan. I did stop doing that. Sometimes I wear a color that doesn't look good on me, though. It's not the end of the world. I am not a supermodel.

10. What is your favorite neutral color? black

11. Is there a sweater pattern that uses more than one color that you’d like to make, but you wish to change the colors from what is published? If yes, which one? Whoa, I rarely make anything in the color it is published in. Lots of sweaters show up in colors no one should wear!! The fact that I am knitting my current top in the color in the picture shocks me--but it's the colorway that looked best on me! I am pretty confident in my ability to pick a good color for a garment. And my LYS friends will let me know if I stray.

Knitty Review

Time for another Knitty review! Overall it's a dandy issue, though whoever coded the apostrophes might want to check out their HTML. I may add to this as I get time, but here are my first reactions to the patterns in the Fall 2007 Knitty, listed in order of what I'd most like to knit:

1. Mr. Greenjeans: this is already printed out and I am hoping the LYS has the yarn the designer used. If not, I already have ideas for options. This has everything I like. One piece construction, cables, raglans, wearability at work. Woo.
   
2. Diamond Waffle: OMG, what a cool sock!!! It has all sorts of interesting construction details--the gusset, the toe, the main pattern! I just flew over to Knitivity and ordered Ray's new Redwood colorway to make it in. Maybe for a dude. Maybe for me.


3. Back to Basics: I like the interesting techniques in this one as well, especially the way the ribbing starts, and bet it will show up on my needles at some point.


4. Muir: Well, I like Muir Woods, and I like lace. It's a bit "holey" but looks like it would be fun. It's on my long list of lace things to make, fer sure.


5. Totally Autumn: on this one I liked the photo with the feet sticking out, and loved the pattern, though I think the yarn colorway detracted a bit (yarn looks great to touch, though). That said, I'd probably pick a yarn like that, too, 'cause that's what I like to buy. But, well, I am trying to be mature and realize that not all variegated yarns go with all laces. (I am sure many folks think my pink/gray/white lace shawl was a bit much, so I am not claiming I am such a great lace yarn picker.

OK, there are a couple of patterns I probably would not ever make but I have comments on:

1. Flower Power: the model is the cutest baby! Click the link just to see that precious face!


2. Q: that is a really interesting sock done in a very interesting technique. But it's too busy, complicated or something for me. I will enjoy seeing other people wear it, though!


3. Cinderella: again, a great idea that will make all those people who don't like circular knitting but want to make socks very happy. But, I don't really like the way it looks, and I am not sure why. Perhaps the yarn is too thick?

I sure am glad that Amy Singer came up with this online magazine and has kept it going. Much sympathy to her with the gall bladder issue. Been there, hated that. And thanks to all who submit patterns. It's so fun to see what folks out there are up to!

And last, here is a sneak peak of my next sock! Seacoast Panda wool/bamboo sock yarn in Silver Leaf. Walking Away Socks, by Joanne Clark, Reflections version. It's a Fiber Trends pattern, so you can get it wherever those are sold.

More on VK 25th

I posted some stuff about the Vogue Knitting 25th Anniversary issue yesterday, and noticed I got a lot of hits from it. I guess people are looking for reviews. I felt a bit bad, because I'd only reviewed about half the magazine. I did manage to finish it yesterday. There's so much in there!

I am amazed at the range of techniques, yarns, and styles represented among all the patterns. Some things I don't think I would ever knit, but are fun to look at (the giant folkloric coat with fur trim, for example). But a few seem really nice (especially the lace shawls in the smaller ad section from various manufacturers in the middle of the magazine--a couple of doozies there, especially the one from Alpaca with a Twist--lacy but with substance--could be a lap warmer, too).

I regret being short and not reed-thin when fashion dictates a lot of bulky knits and tunics. There are quite a few longer cardigans and bulky pullovers I would just LOVE to knit, but that would eat me up. (No, the extremely gigantic pullover that's a tribute to a past issue is NOT one of them.) Well, that's really why I don't knit too many garments--the techniques I love (cables, etc.) bulk me up, as nice the Lily Chin article on figuring out what will look good on you points out. I don't have the magazine here, but there is one tunic based on a past pattern that has ribs that use shaping to go in different and flattering directions, which I was very impressed by (I was the first time, too). That one may get knitted.

They also featured the circular cardigan that I did knit (I mentioned it when VK wrote me about putting an image on their site and today I found the link to it--my moment of fame!), which was neat--loved the new colorway. I have to say, though, that some of the items looked better in the 80s/90s colors. At least one checked sweater was so muddled by the new colors chosen that you can't see the pattern. And sigh, no matter what color, I still don't get the appeal of that world map sweater.

Oh yeah, one more point. It's a shame that silver doesn't photograph very well. I think that is one of the biggest problems with all the gray and silver items in the issue. The sheen and sparkle don't come through very well, and they all look kind of bland. I know that most of the items are just incredible in person. There's also a dark purple sweater that you can hardly see in the photos, but I predict is just awesome if you actually see it. That said, all the red items were beauteous.

BUT, that's the thing! There is something for everyone in such a huge edition of a knitting magazine, and hours of fun to read and analyze. I am taking my copy to the yarn shop, hoping I have someone to analyze it with!

Well, that's the best I can do as a quick addendum in which I can't refer to page numbers, pattern numbers or names of things. Maybe I will add references when I have better access!

Knitting: I got more than halfway down the foot on the second Panda Cotton sock, so I should get that done today. I will enjoy them--they look cute with cropped pants, which longer socks really don't. I picked my Fleece Artist Sea Wool sock yarn with seacell in it for my next project. Oh boy oh boy. This is the kind of hand painting I really admire--when I unwound the hank, I saw that some sections of it have different colors in them, which means that the yarn will not repeat the exact same sequence of colors. That will be extra, extra fun. All the colors are lovely, too, deep muted tones of denim, gold, scarlet and turquoise, with browns and mauves creeping in (it is Hercules, if you are keeping track). I looked through a lot of sock patterns last night, too, and of all things, I am still settled on the one on the yarn band, which is a textured peak and valley pattern called Bordello, by Cory Watt (love it when they give attribution!). I like it a lot. However, I will do lifted increases that slant in the appropriate directions instead of KFB because I think that looks prettier and will make for a smoother up-and-down look. And if it looks worse, I will start over. Hee hee.