February 2009 Archives

Having seen a scarf similar to this in an online shop I got it in my head that I needed one. Do certain items ever do that with you? You see something and have to make it, abandoning any other current projects until the current obsession is done? I'm rather hoping it's not just me...



There are several versions of this type of scarf/neckwarmer patterns out there, I came upon this one first (Bowtie Scarf) and figured I'd just modify it for what I wanted. Upon further looking I think there are some better written and/or closer to what I was looking for patterns out there (perhaps this one Bow-knot Scarf).



I knew I wanted it smaller, with a Stockinette slipped stitch border for neatness, non-visible increases (instead of YO's as I didn't want to carry them all the way through) and the knot section in 1x1 ribbing. In retrospect I probably should have done the other gathered section in 1x1 as well but you can't really see it when it's slipped through the keyhole. So I only increased to 21 sts for the main sections and used a backwards loop increase instead of the yarn over.

With the mohair content I thought it might be a bit scratchy but after adding some conditioner to the blocking rinse it really softened it up! It didn't bother me at all to wear it next to skin all day.



Pattern: Bowtie Scarf (Ravelry link) although Bow-knot Scarf would be a closer jumping off point
Yarn: Lana Moro Ali, #2621 (From a swap, used for my Amelia Earhart hat that matches my yellow coat)
Needles: US size 6 (4mm)
Mods: Smaller, less wide, slip stitch edging, backwards loop increase, knot section in 1x1 rib

Today is the second stop on the Tops & Toes Blog Book Tour and I'm welcoming Sarah Wilson of Not a Yarn Snob! My fellow designer will be asking a few questions about my design for the book, Phaidros Grecian Hat.

Phaidros Grecian Hat, Ravel it here!

JT: Hi Sarah, thanks so much for stopping by to talk with me blog. I'm really looking forward to reading about all the other designers on the tour.

SW: I'm interested to hear you talk about your design aesthetic. What is it that makes people remember Jennifer Tallapaneni? If you could have knitters associate you with something, what would that be? It seems like most of the "popular" knitwear designers have something they are known for, whether it be a particular method of construction, or a particular type of project, or just being a prolific designer or blogger. What's your "thing?"

JT: This is a really interesting question, as I like to try so many things. I think I offer some diversity in my patterns, from fair isle to lace to cables and accessories and garments. I think the unifying aspect is I like to play with techniques to make the knitting look or behave in unique or non-traditional ways. Sometimes this is subtle such as using double knit in small places to achieve certain effects for example. I think that is would be what I'd have knitters associate me with, unique construction and/or clever details. Although lately I seem to have been doing a lot of hats!

SW: Was this your first time being published in a book?

JT: Technically yes, as it is the first book I have an accepted design to go to print. I actually have a design that was accepted before this one, for the next Stitch N' Bitch book but after delays it has yet to come out. So it was very exciting getting to hold the finished book in my hands for the first time! I've been published in magazines before but there is just something more permanent about a book.

SW: How did you feel about seeing your design on the cover?

JT: That was rather funny actually. I had been checking (stalking) the publisher's website waiting for the cover image to come up as I was really curious to what would be the final look of the book. I was all excited when I first saw it was up and then it took me a moment to realize, "Wait a minute! That's my hat on there!" Haha. It's my first getting a design on a cover so it was pretty neat.

SW: How you feel about the yarn you used?

JT: I initially chose the Patons Classic Wool Merino as it had the type of colors I was looking for and that fit into the color forecast for the season. The blues have a nice subtle heather to them that adds depth to the cables. The yarn was great to work with, a lot of nice spring to it that really helps the cables pop. I like using yarns that are more readily available too. I know we all like to support our LYS with luxury yarn purchases but they're not always easy to get to or afford!

SW: How on earth did you come up with that method of construction (it's really cool!)?

JT: Thanks! Recently I've been really interested in studying different fashion through the ages. I had always loved the look of hair taping or wrapping, especially the swept up braided looks of ancient Greece and Rome. I had seen a three rowed headband and started thinking how I could translate that to knitting and then into a hat. I thought I-cords would work well and decided to experiment with weaving them through yarn overs like you would ribbon but only in the back to secure them. Looking through Greek art and studying the hairstyles I picked a twisted rib for the band, to mimic the fine rows of the swept back hair that then transitions into the braided cables. I think slouchy style hats have a great look to them and it also worked to carry the silhouette of the full piled up hair.



I have to say this design was one of the closest for turning out so like my original vision. Not all ideas end up translating well into yarn. In fact, I was particularly amused when looking through the photos my husband took for me (not having ever seen my concept sketch) at one shot's similarities. I created a split screen image, my modeled photo on the left and my original design sketch is on the right (which I drew before the item was knit). I actually used an image of a Greek statue as the "model" in the drawing too!

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I just wanted to add a few comments about the book itself. I was so pleased when I got my copy to see this book is really a knitters dream. Kara did a great job. The book is full color through out with each design having a full page photo of the modeled piece as well as lots of extra photos, including ones of it lying flat. It is also has a hard back cover (great for protection from bended pages) and is spiral bound, so the patterns actually lay flat. There is also a photographic thumbnail glossary of every design in the back for quick reference. I wish every magazine/book did this!

So thanks again for stopping by Sarah! Be sure to check my interview of her from yesterday over at her blog and you can see the full tour schedule here. Next stop, Erika Flory at It's About the Knitting!

Quick and cute, I see many of these in my future.



I've been wanting to make a fascinator for while now. After I was lucky enough to win this great crafting glue package from Future Girl (thanks!) I decided it was time bring on the feathers.


E6000 (always good to have), Quick Hold, Goop Craft, and their new EcoGlue!

I basically followed the method shown here on Marquette. I cut out the tear drop shape in some felt, and then sewed down the felt strip in the back that holds the barrette for extra security. Next I laid out my feathers until I had an arrangement I liked, and then glued them to the front of the felt. I had some vintage buttons I was going to add on the bottom but decided I liked it as is, simple. I plan to make a more flamboyant version next. I made the whole thing while talking on the phone; see what I mean by easy! Probably try using this method next; I think the beads would look pretty.






Front

Back

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Almost forgot- be sure to check out the kick off of the Tops & Toes blog tour tomorrow over at Not a Yarn Snob where I'll be interviewing the talented designer Sarah Wilson! Kara Gott, our editor, from She Knits In The Loop is offering up some cool prizes too. Check out the neat shirt you can win, as well as copies of the book and how to join in the contest on her blog.
Full schedule as follows!

Here's the 11-day Itinerary:
2/21- Sarah Wilson: Not a Yarn Snob
2/22- Jennifer Tallapaneni: PieKnits.com
2/23- Erika Flory: It's About The Knitting
2/24- Erssie Major: ErssieKnits
2/25- Ann Squire: Annie-O
2/26- Faina Goberstein: Faina's Knitting Mode
2/27- Celeste Pinhiero: Two Stix In The Woods
2/28- Kara Gott Warner: sheknitsintheloop with Laura Nelkin
3/1- Joanne Seiff: Yarn Spinner
3/2- Cindy Moore: The Fitter Knitter Catch the interview with me about the making of Tops & Toes!
3/3- Sean Higgins: Kblicious

Having been inspired by a really nice program at the Dallas Hand Knitters Guild last year on needle felting I wanted to try it out on a current project. To test my idea I started searching about for some scrap felt when I came upon this hat. Some of you may notice it looks familiar; it is actually a failed prototype of my 1920's style cloche design Stella.

After playing around with it I suddenly realized if I turned it around and tilted it just so, suddenly it had a wonderful 1940's silhouette. It was like finding an unknown $5 bill in your pocket and it feeling like free money!



The needle felting though, oh dear, this may quickly become a new obsession. So much fun. I unspun some Lamb's Pride Bulky to use for the wool and just started laying it down and punching away free-form style. I'm so pleased with it and it's definitely my type of medium (as I generally prefer highly controllable and mutable).

As I had mentioned before, whilst cleaning up my craft room I came across some project stuffs I had gotten a long time back but had yet to get to. With my double pointed needle collection growing unruly in my sophisticated system of tattered boxes thrown in a plastic bag, this project jumped to the head of the queue.



Inspired by Grumperina's clever case made from a cloth napkin this worked up rather easily. Hurray for no hemming! I even got these napkins from a close-out store so I'm extra pleased with them on thrifty points.



In the center a piece of wide elastic is sewn down in intervals (mine were from 3/4" - 1.5"). Then the top and bottom are folded up and a line is sewn in from the edge to hold them in place.





I added polka dot ribbons to mine for the closure. I should have gotten a lighter colored thread as what I had on hand is too dark to blend in very well. I contemplated either fabric gluing or sewing a strip of cloth to the center on the outside to cover my not so neat sewing but in the end decided I could live with it. :) As for functionality, it works perfect! It's so nice having all my dpns in one easy to get to place. Now I can just toss the whole roll in my knitting bag and no worries not having the right size on the go.