Jason Knits

I must be a homebody. I am still pooped from the weekend’s activities. Is it because of the heat? Boy, it’s been hot and muggy. High temperature is one thing. The humidity is harder to deal with. We have what they call “monsoonal moisture”. Sounds nasty, huh? This made learning spinning a little more difficult. I went to the guild meeting on Saturday. It was a lot of fun and I met lots of very friendly and very special people. I tried spinning with the spindles. But the heat and sweat made it impossible to handle the fiber to make it work for me. I also tried spinning with a wheel, and that worked out pretty well.

Sunday was the spinning class at A Mano, with John Pitblado. What a wonderful teacher. Very clear instructions from beginning to end. We learned how to spin singles and how to ply yarn. Air conditioning was on so no sweating problem there. Lots of people showed up for the class. He will be teaching at the Fabulous Fiber Fest. I think I want to sign up for the spinning wheel session.

Now the “Violets” update, and the last update. It’s done! Complete! And given to my friend!

I have to give a lot of thanks to Ted for guiding me through every step of knitting this shawl. I was very lucky that I chose a pattern that he had already knitted. He even made modification so that it was easier to knit, and prettier to look at. Sylvia mentioned how nice the transition between the violets and the river was. All Ted’s idea!

Below is a picture of “Violets” being blocked. I didn’t even notice that the wrong side was facing up. LOL

Here’s a picture showing each design element in the pattern.

I knew I would be too embarassed to ask my friend to pose for a photo in the coffeeshop where I presented the shawl. So earlier in the morning I forced my partner to put the shawl on for a snapshot. LOL Here it is.

Additional Info, 7.25.06:
Pattern: Violets by the River, by Hazel Carter
Yarn: KnitPicks’ Shadow in Sunset
Needle: INOX circular US Size 6

Here we are, the River pattern finished, the right and left sides of the triangle bound off. I really like how this looks. And it has a nice drape even though it is light weight. My partner really wants to give this to our friend Dorothy by the end of the weekend. When I was working on the “violets”, I was hearing, “Is it a violet, yet?” When I was working on the “river”, I was hearing, “Is it a river, yet?” Now I am moving on to the “Honeybee & Faggoting”, I wonder what I’ll be hearing until it is done? LOL

Below is a photo of some stitches picked up along the top of the shawl. I think it looks OK. What do you think?

Here are my newest prized possessions. The spindle on the left is a Kundert, 1.1 oz. The one on the right is “Hearts” from Woolly Designs, 1.3 oz. The fiber on the left is Colonial Multi Dark Green. The one on the right is Colonial Multi Mahogany. I believe they are both from Ashland Bay. But they’ve been repackaged, so I am not sure. I really want to get some Colonial Northern Lights.

Anyway, I am ready to spin! Guild meeting is on Saturday and I signed up for the spinning class at A Mano. Crossing my fingers!

Look what I’ve found! This tubular cast-on looks so cool and so easy. I just found it, so I haven’t given it a try. But I am already wondering, can this be used for knitting in the round? Like the technique used in “Hats On!“? In any case, there will be experiments! Fantastic!

I don’t know how many of you out there know about this online magazine for handspinners, Spindlicity. I’ve known about it since I met Kathy Hinckley who teaches knitting classes at my LYS. Three issues so far and I hope it will continue to publish and grow.

SOOOOO! Here’s the “Violets” with the violets all finished. I have picked up stitches along the left and right sides of the triangle and started the River. The River turned out to be quite easy. Mostly knit stitches. But the number is growing. Over 250 stitches per row and I am only on the second repeat of the pattern. I know, I know. That’s nothing compared to a large project like the Princess, or the Wedding Ring Shawl. But I’ve never worked on so many stitches in one row before.

Picking up the stitches turned out to be more interesting than I thought. I must’ve been tired at the time that I wasn’t paying full attention. I had to do it four times to get it right.

Besides “Violets”, I have not knitted anything else. I have in mind a two-color project, but that will not be shown here until it’s done. It will be a gift. However, I did do a lot of research. What research? Well… SPINNING! Spinning with a spindle to be more specific. Yes, I have Sachi to blame for that. Why? It’s not that she pushed me into thinking about it. I’ve read about spinning. The nice ladies at A Mano tried to tempt me with roving and spindles. But I resisted them because I just wanted to focus on knitting. But, reading Sachi’s recent adventure with spinning was like a big shove that finally got me through the door. Yes, Sachi, you did it. And girl, I can’t believe you’ve upgraded to a wheel already!

So, I bought spinning books. I’ve talked to spinners. I’ve asked for advice. I’ve researched spinning online. I’m planning on attending spinning guild meeting. There’s a store that I want to visit. There’s a class that I want to take. What? Am I spinning? Nope. Not yet. I haven’t gotten a spindle yet. LOL Anybody that knows me well knows that I take forever to research before taking on something new. But, I’ve ordered one. I’m so looking forward to getting it in my hands. In the meantime, I’m still shopping around. Maybe going to places and try different spindles. Maybe I will find one that’s a bit heavier than the one I ordered. It’s a new adventure.

Spinning with a spindle really appeals to me. Not only that it’s portable, meditative. The thought of feeling the fiber twist and form into yarn in my fingers is really pleasing to me. I think it will be great for strengthening concentration.

Oh, by the way, Ken gave a great review on KnitPicks’ new interchangeable needles. Go check it out! Sachi, where’s your review?