Knit Picks

The yarn in the previous post was Knit Picks Cadena in one of the newly released colorways. Brook. Cadena is a bulky weight yarn made of a blend of 70 percent Peruvian Highland Wool and 30 percent Superfine Alpaca.


Look familiar? I used Cadena for my hat, Epitome. I've been working with Knit Picks IDP on bringing you this pattern for a low price! The pattern isn't live on the IDP yet, but for now enjoy a price cut on The Shizknit and Ravelry. You can now purchase Epitome for $2.50. (Higher than the Knit Picks IDP price to cover PayPal fees.) As soon as the pattern goes live on the IDP I'll let you know!

Guess this yarn.

Details to follow.

Cover.

I was casually looking over some of my favorite knitting-related websites and noticed that the preview for Yarn Forward Issue #29 is live. I was flattered to see that a design of mine made the cover! I was able to find a photo on eBay. I'll share more when my contributor copy arrives in the mail.

For Sale! Ultimate Sweater Machine Deluxe.

This is a great piece of equipment, but I will always be a hand knitter at heart. If you or someone you know would like to knit big pieces of fabric in a flash, the Ultimate Sweater Machine is for you.


The Deluxe model comes with the Ultimate Sweater Machine, plus an extension kit, row counter and intarsia plate. In addition I have extra accessories, including never used ravel cord and claw weights. The USM Deluxe is $231 on QVC.com. I am asking $150 or best offer. If you're in the Louisville area I will give you a free how-to lesson. If you're interested, please email tonyawagner@theshizknit.com.

I do as I'm told.

My mother informed me that she has been checking my blog daily for pictures . . . knitting picture are nice, but what she really wants to see is a sweet baby boy.

So . . . here's a sweet baby boy.




I have been busy knitting. I need more needles to finish my fair isle baby vest (darn . . . I'll have to go to the Knit Nook!) and I've started a special toy for a soon-to-be three-year-old. Plus, did you know today is Elizabeth Zimmermann's 100th birthday? Though she died in 1999, she's very much alive in sweaters and mittens all over the world. Maybe I should work on my Tomten tonight in her honor or spend some time with one of her many fantastic books.

Alternative to stitch holders. (& Tomten update!)

Stitch holders are amazingly wonderful things . . . when you can find them. I know all about slipping stitches to waste yarn, and there's a time when that's appropriate, like when you need the stitches to be flexible. However, if I have a small number of stitches to be held, I prefer to use something more rigid than waste yarn because I find it easier to put the stitches back on the needle.

Last year I showed you how I used a paperclip to hold stitches on Craig's Smokin' Jacket. A paperclip wouldn't be big enough for this project, though. And since the goal is to eventually slip the stitches back to a needle, why not just hold the stitches on a spare needle? I have seen a knitting pattern or two that recommends doing this, and I think it's a simple-yet-effective practice.

I did something that hundreds of knitters have probably done. I took a spare double pointed needle (make sure to use a size similar to the size you're knitting your sweater on - my sweater is on a US 9 needle, and this dpn is a US 8) and put ponytail holders (you could also use rubber bands) on each end so the knitting doesn't come off. Ta-da! For a wider section you could also just use a single-pointed knitting needle and secure one side with a rubber band, or you could use an extra circular needle.

I can't believe how quickly the Tomten is going! I still have quite a bit to do, but I'm pleased with my progress so far. In this photo with the Tomten spread out you can see a hint of the modular-ness.

Though jacket weather is still in the somewhat distant future, I am so excited about finishing this sweater.

Nothing boring about it!

You may look at this photo and think, "Grayish-blackish-bluish garter stitch. Ick."



You would be wrong. When Elizabeth Zimmermann does garter stitch, it's never boring or icky.

This is the beginning of my Tomten Jacket for Leo, and it's actually been a really fun knit so far! I am using the directions from The Opinionated Knitter (they're also included in Knitting Workshop, but the Opinionated Knitter directions are more specific) and Rowan Pure Wool Aran. I even worked on it at the HullabaLOU festival in the sticky, 100 degree heat.

The fun thing about this pattern is that you could make it 10 times and never knit the pattern the same way. You could add pockets! Make a hood, collar or crewneck! Buttons or zippers! Switch up the colors! There's an example of the Tomten Jacket on the Purl Bee that looks quite different than how I envision mine, which will have a hood and a contrasting border. (Speaking of Tomtens, check out Jared Flood's adult Tomten. So nice!)

There will be a Tomten class at the Knit Nook in September, which you should check out. To sign up, call 502.452.1919.

And now for something completely different, a cute baby picture!


I think he's trying to decide if he wants buttons or a zipper on his Tomten. He's definitely going to get one, too!