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!

Winner!

The winning entry is . . . Tutorgal with Little Scholar Vest! You've won the whole collection of baby vests and will receive a free copy of each pattern as it's released and the ebook with all of the patterns and accompanying tutorials. When I read the idea Little Scholar Vest I had the "Why didn't I think of that?" feeling. I think it's just right. Runner-up is Sarah with Marzipan. Sarah, you've won a free copy of the Little Scholar Vest when it's released. If both winners will email me (tonyawagner@theshizknit.com or theshizknit on Ravelry) with their email addresses I'll be sure you receive your prizes!

The vest is coming along nicely. Today I shot a video to explain how to knit fair-isle with two hands. As soon as the knitting is complete, I just have to do a photo shoot and put some finishing touches on the pattern and it will be ready for release!

Playing with color.

. . . and no, I'm not just talking about the fair isle vest.

In addition to the vest e-book, I have another e-book coming out. This one is going to take awhile; my ETA is six months from now, but it might be longer. I've been playing around with different combinations of yarn and trying to figure out a color story. Since I'm not sharing much else about the book, I thought I could at least reveal that. (It's hard not spilling the beans all at once!)



Two of the projects are already underway, one more is swatched. The colors aren't set in stone (well, the two in-progress project colors are!), but I think I like this mixture.

Modeled photos of Johnny's Not-Quite-An-Apple-Hat

You may remember this hat that I knit before Johnny was born. My inclination was that it was way too big for a newborn size head, and I was right. However, now that Johnny is 5 months old the hat looks great on him.



Just to reiterate, it's the Apple Hat by Susan B. Anderson, knit using Rowan Pure Wool Aran in Cedar. The color is a bit off in the above photo (I "antiqued" it using editing software) but from a cuteness perspective the picture is just right so I decided to use it anyway. The color in the photo below is closer to the actual hat, though Johnny doesn't seem very excited to have his photo made.



I think this hat will still fit in early fall when it starts getting chilly. For now I'll put it back in the drawer - I don't think Johnny needs it in this 90+ degree heat!

P.S. Don't forget about the pattern naming contest!

It had to be Fair Isle - and a contest!

This is what I'm reknitting in those fabulous Knit Picks colors:

I have made some improvements to the pattern, which was originally written in March 2008. Leo is only seven months old in the photo - now he's almost 3! I had the pattern test knit and tech edited, but by the time that whole process was complete Leo no longer would fit into the vest. Since I'm never truly happy with how unmodeled photos of sweaters look, the vest simply didn't get published. Now I have a brand new model, and the vest will be knit with a new yarn! Both the old and new version are knit in 100 percent organic cotton - soft for wee babes.

Here's the thing: I'm not completely happy with the name of the sweater. A few of my testers put their photos up on Ravelry, and at the time I was calling it the Divinity Baby Vest, after the candy. I had just finished the Confection Baby Shrug and wanted a sweet name for this vest, too. However, the name doesn't quite seem right to me. Suggestions? If you suggest the winning name, you will win a free copy of my upcoming Baby Vest e-book! (More details on that ebook coming soon. I've been working on it, and I'm excited to start sharing.) The contest will end at midnight on July 20.

Yarn in my mailbox.

Very rarely am I allowed to blog about a project for a yarn company while it's in the works, but I have to go-ahead to share this with my readers.

I will be using these three colors of Knit Picks Simply Cotton Worsted for one of my upcoming designs. It's actually something you've seen a long time ago, but revamped and reworked for Knit Picks. Can you guess what it is?