Thursday 27 November 2014

Mystery Solved

How about that. I really did this. This has been a knitters ride with a lot of knitting and learning so much. I have enjoyed it so much.

I wish we could take life this way - we have no clue about the future. But we use most of our time to worry about it. Knitting this shawl was all about giving away the control on something I have no idea how would turn out.

I loved that this was out of my control. That I just needed to trust that Stephen West knew what he is doing. And he does.

Oh dear, getting older... LOL!!
Well, back to that knitting. The recommend yarn has a gauge on 28st. The gauge for this shawl is 10st. That means that I would have needed very thick needles to get that gauge.

And that the fabric would be very loose. I am not that happy about loose knitted fabric. Especially when it is merino - it gets even looser over the time.

And there are so little warmth to it in winter time that it will rather be suitable for a cold summers day.

So, I knitted with smaller needles and got a very small shawl. I regret that I did not use a thicker yarn.

West has very loose garments, and I like them tighter. Another thing I learned.

I actually have no idea how to use this as the wing span is so short. A head scarf maybe? But hey, it does look good....

The Stitch Story
Yarn: Madelinetosh sock, Dream in color, Koigu
Needles: 2.5mm (should have been at least 4mm)
Pattern: Exploration Station
My Ravelry Page: Parrot Station


Thursday 20 November 2014

Heavenly Garter


Sometimes it is enough with at couple of needles and some garter stitch. Sometimes life takes up so much energy that the simple stitch fill all the gaps and gives so much joy.

I have been gartering a lot lately - and I really enjoy it. Not that I need the shawls but I need the stitch.

This is made from stash. I had this sock yarn in the most wonderful color. But it had that stiff feel to it.

A little like bad and cheap yarn sometimes have. Well, I added some luxury to it as an experiment.

Also mohair from my stash. Some blue, some turquoise and some pink mohair.

And it really worked so well. The color is of course a bit hidden because of the mohair but that is ok.

It is now so soft and nice to wear. And of course - those tassels are a must.

A very easy and mindless pattern with casting on three stitches and increase a stitch every other row until half desired length. Then, decrease a stitch every other row until three stitches are left. And then, bind off. Easy peasy.

I actually had my very pink garter shawl on me to my local yarn shop on knitting café. When the other knitters heard about it the yarn sale took off. A nice gift for someone or for your self. Happy knitting!!!

The Stitch Story
Yarn: Katia Olé Socks Rainbow, Rauma Plum
Needles: 5.5mm
Extras: Tassels
Pattern: See above
My Ravelry Page: Katia And The Garter Stich

Wednesday 12 November 2014

Climbing The Stitch Mountain

Clue one is the part before the brioche section. Clue two is the rest of the shawl.
I never give up anything. I like a good challenge as long as I do not have to climb Kilimanjaro. I mean, who need to climb that mountain if you have brioche stitch in knitting?

Well, I have always wanted to learn the brioche stitch. I even have a knitting book about it. But it has been collecting dust - and so has the wish about learning it.

Clue two: Brioche and slipped stich sections.
But then I joined Stephen Wests Mysterie Knit Along (MKAL) this fall.

And the surprise was rather breath taking when clue two was published friday: Knit a whole lot of brioche.

Thankfully he provide a video of the technique. He advised to do a swatch - but I would rather knit a scarf than a small swatch.

I just started knitting the brioche right on the shawl.

And it worked. I was so proud - I have learned a new technique. Although it felt like I knitted and knitted and never got anywhere.

So much knitting and so few centimeters in length. Clue two ended with a large slip stitch section.

I must say that there is a lot of knitting in this MKAL. Maybe a little too much. But hey, I am half way through it. And there are 371 stitches on my needle.

And since he calls this Exploration Station I must prepare to climb another mountain.

It seems like the shawl is a giant swatch in knitting techniques. So stay tuned - next clue are waited friday. Prepare the climbing gear...
This is what first clue looks like. See more in my blog post about Parrot Station.

Friday 7 November 2014

Waiting At Parrot Station


He said it is the most colorful ever. The word colorful made me gone stash diving. The Mystery Knit Along (MKAL) by Stephen West was launched last friday. A friend bought me the pattern - and I do not say no to a gift. I simply had to try this.

I joined for the first time last year and knitted quite a special little shawl.

There is something about giving away the control and just knit something I cannot predict the outcome of. Colors, lines and holes just emerging by following the pattern.

Apart from the green I had to wash all of the yarn...
There are four clues for this mystery and the second will be published today.

I am so excited to see where this is going. Stephen West have great patterns and he publish videos of techniques so I know what to do.

I really love the colors I found in my stash. The red and turquoise are Dream In Color, the orange is Koigu and the green is Madelinetosh. But, this must be said: Hand dyed yarn gives a lot of extra work.

I had to wash it before even begin the knitting because the colors are not set properly. And it bleed color so much.

This is why I mostly use ordinary wool - the quality of hand dyed merino yarn is simply not good enough. The only thing I really like about it are the colors. This is an attempt to use some of that stash. A colorful shawl is just fine for that.

There are still time to join up for this fun knit on Ravelry. Clue number two is on today - hit the needles and live a little.

The Stitch Story
Yarn: Dream In Color, Koigu, Madelinetosh
Needle: 2.5mm
Pattern: Westknits Mystery Shawl KAL 2014
My Ravelry Page: Parrot Station
This is the first clue finished. A lot of short rows with no W&T and just a lot of garter knitting. Really fun outcome.



Sunday 2 November 2014

Will It Ever Stop?

My repetitive knitting is beyond all good explanations for the pile of Viajantes that is about to get even bigger. This is my sixth in bright magenta. Taking photos can be a challenge...

A bit of a challenge getting the garment in the right position - could it be advisable to have a better vision?

Ok, seems I am about ready for the photo shoot...

- Is it going to rain - and why is it this dark? And why does my cat seems so uninterested? 


- Oh, here we are - are you getting the picture? Still crazy after all these Viajantes?

Getting a grip of it...

And so the story goes - a bright red one in the needles now...

The Stitch Story
Yarn: Wollmeise Lace
Needle: 2mm, 1.75mm for lace part
Pattern: Viajante
My Ravelry Page: Whatever

All dressed to go with matching polymer clay bracelets.