Tips, Tricks, & Tutorials

So, by now, you may have seen our Provisional Cast On tutorial.  If not, check it out, since it seems that Sandy Kay and I are odd ducks (well, you knew that already) and we do it differently than anyone else.  And, as you never know when the odd technique will come in handy, we've decided to start documenting our own unique tips and tricks.  Expect to see about one a week - hopefully every week.

The first tip/ trick thing came about because I just started a Ruffled & Ruched Scarf and, in a pique of curiosity, checked other Provisional Cast On methods online.  And, d'ya know, I didn't find anything like ours.  Weird.  But, in any case, we'll be writing up tutorials as we come across techniques in our own staff projects that warrant attention. 

Shown above is my IP scarf.  Say 'hi' to Eva in the background.  Next week we're hoping I'll be along enough to demonstrate how to pick up a Provisional Cast On.  I'd better get knitting, eh?

Moving on.  We just have to share with you the cutest little baby sweater.  Several of us staffers here helped Lynne translate the British knitting terminology from the pattern (it's a Debbie Bliss) and all feel that it was completely worth the time and effort:

It's so schweeet!  The pattern is the Hooded Jacket from Debbie Bliss' Simply Baby book.  It's not a hard pattern, by any means, just a little different for American knitters.  Lynne certainly seemed to think it was worth the effort, too.

Next, I have two staff projects that will also feature into upcoming tutorials (so exciting!).  The first is Darcy's Thursday vest:

Being knit with Habu Textiles Superfine Merino A-177 in Charcoal/ #6 and Habu Textiles Ramie Cork A-166 in Black/ #10.  When Darcy finishes the knitting, we'll do a quick tutorial on handsewing handknits - i.e. creating the "dorsal fin" cowl on the front.

Then we have Sandy Kay's February shrug, which is actually a modified Skif June:

(It's the red-orange shrug on the pattern)

This one is going to be a doozy.  Sandy choose to combine Habu Textiles XS-55 Linen Lace (yum) and Tsumugi Fine N-76 in #39.  The hand is unbelievable, and the color?  Just magnificent. 

She's currently at the arm increases and making rapid progress.  This thing is going to be gorgeous.  And when Sandy finishes knitting, we'll do a quick tutorial on sewing handknits with a sewing machine!  Sandy Kay is planning to bring in her Bernina.  That'll be interesting.

Now, lastly, do you know about the upcoming Portland Yarn Crawl?  You probably do, since we've mentioned it twice in two newsletters and on the blog, on twitter, and on ravelry.  But, just in case this is the first you've heard of it...

• See the website.
• We'll be participating from March 5 - March 7th
• There will be a yarn crawl raffle - win a prize basket from the organizers, or one of many, many prizes from us!
• We will be hosting THREE amazing trunkshows this weekend - CoCo Knits, Ori Ami Knits, and Habu Textiles.
• There will be a Portland Yarn Crawl scavenger hunt and, yes, we have one of the pieces.
• Another session of Reading Japanese Patterns has been scheduled on Saturday, March 6th.
• We'd compiled a list of easy parking suggestions, just because:

• • We validate for ALL Smart Park garages with purchases over $25
  • Street parking is $1.60/ hr (free after 7pm and on Sunday)
  • Weekday parking at the nearby Presbyterian Church is $3/ hr in their secure, underground garage
  • Weekend parking at the nearby Presbyterian Church is $2.55/ all-day before 5 pm. After 5 pm, it’s $4.

  The Presbyterian Church is located on the corner of SW 12th and Alder - just 1 block from us (and the Streetcar) and 2 - 3 blocks from the MAX!

• There will be all sorts of prizes and other fun special events at the store - but you have to show up to find out!

We'll hope to see you here this weekend!

About last night...

I've been asked ordered to tell all of our lovely Knit Purl blog readers about the dinner had with Jared last night:

From left to right: Sandy B., Kristin Spurkland, Jared Flood, Bing, Sara M. (moi), and Sandy Kay.

But I fear that were I to actually tell you what a truly excellent time we had... well, someone would take out a hit on half of us. Sooo... in all honestly, it was just awful. The food, the atmosphere, the company? Atrocious. You totally didn't want to be there.

Right.

Moving on to less volatile subjects (ha!), Jared's lecture is tonight and all the spots have sold out. I know for a fact that Lindsay just feels terrible having to tell people that, yes, there is a wait list but, no, we doubt anyone is going to cancel. But, hey, Jared's already agreed to come back and teach for us again this summer, so... maybe next time?

In news unrelated to Brooklyn or tweed, we just received a HUJE shipment of Habu. Wow. There're a whole bunch of Kusha Kusha scarf kits in this box that look really interesting. I might just have to try one. We also received some more Shippo Tail scarf kits (we've been back ordered for over three months), for those of you who have been fingering the shop sample and sighing tragically this past season.

Otherwise, have a great weekend!

the meltdown

The snow vanished, finally. Instead of a white apocalypse, we had this on Friday:

And, as of today, there is no snow on the ground downtown (thank goodness).

Other new bits and bobs:

• "An Evening with Jared Flood" tickets are officially available to registrants. Be sure to drop by the store and pick up your ticket(s) before the event!
• A super Top Secret update on the Japanese knitting books situation. We've heard back from Shufu no Tomo and our order of in-Japanese knitting books is due to ship on January 5th, after the Japanese New Year (Shogatsu). We're hoping to hear back from two other Nihongo publishers after the New Year, as well, so stay tuned for updates on those Japanese books we know you've been coveting.
• Last but not least, I have a reminder: the Gratis Knits deadline is THREE DAYS away. If you've been meaning to submit a cute hat or pair of wristlets, now's the time! Aside from eternal glory across the InterWebs, the winner will also receive a $50 gift card to the store. So, get typing!

And that's about everything that needed to be caught up. We should have Gina's socks and an Ana Bandana tomorrow, if nothing else.

Wires and glass.

Over the past 10 days, we've had the pleasure of being visited by Catherine Lowe. Aside entertaining us with several days of fantastic Couture Knitting workshops and a wicked sense of humor, Catherine also taught a mini-workshop on blocking garments with blocking wires:

It was a bit of a shame that so few people could make it, but I know everyone on staff learned a lot of new tips a tricks. I certainly did, anyway. Catherine's suggestion for using foam board from an art store is going to be a space saver on so many levels.

Above is Catherine's sleeve slowly being blocked into shape. And below is a closeup of the edge of the sleeve, once it was pinned in place:

The graph paper beneath the sleeve was used to sketch out a template of the finished dimensions, so it wouldn't end up too large or small. Neat trick, right?

Now, because I know this'll come up, the sleeve is part of a design for Catherine's next Simple Couture collection of patterns. Just like Simple Couture 4.01, it will be exclusive to Knit Purl. It should be available by the end of winter, I believe. But we will announce it in our Newsletter when it's available, for those of you who are enjoying 4.01.

That covers the "wires" portion of our post today, onto the glass...

We're a very Portland-centric store (hence the Sock Club's focus), which gives me the excuse to show you this:

A fully-functional glass spinning wheel, made by Portland native Andy Paiko. I saw it on display at the Museum of Contemporary Craft recently and just had to blog about it. It even has handspun wool yarn on the bobbin! And here's a video of it being used.

Only in Portland.

I'm afraid that's everything, for now. We've got another Newsletter coming out this Friday, so 3M and I are rather narrowly focused at the moment. Look for it in your inbox at the end of the week!

Of Muttonchops and Commentary...

...but first:

Those who've traveled to the SKIF knit-a-long blog might be aware of certain unfortunate "events" that took place while I was knitting Zena (Warrior Princess).
(check out the button somewhere over there)

These events centered around my inability to count, as well as my sieve-like memory. At some point in knitting the body, I decided to add a little waist shaping. (Because I can't just leave well enough alone.)

Anyway, I decreased a few stitches at each side. (Unevenly mind you. I have no control over when the sieve will just let a plan fall right outta my head.) When I went to create the neck shaping, I was missing a few stitches...

While I don't mind retelling a story, I think the flavor of my mood at the time I discovered (remembered) the "event" is best expressed here.

Go on, read. Laugh. Feel the full-throttle-ness of having a mind like a rusted-steel trap.

I survived the scare with a bit of retail therapy. Some new Habu just followed me home like a stray as well. Here it is (the amethyst color) just to the right of the light lavender color in the center:


I've passed the 50% finished mark and I've tried the sweater on whilst on the needles. Happily, I can report that all is well. The bust should fit just fine even though it is a few stitches narrower than it should be. I decided for such an oversize sweater it was okay to sport more of a "Jane Mansfield" fit, (or Jane Russell, or Marilyn Monroe).

-----------

Now for the tie-in to the title of this post. (In the interest of those with sensitive constitutions, no knitting or person was harmed in this event)

In former posts, I've mentioned a dear former co-worker "K-Dawg" and of her predilection to drinking while writing (well deserved mind you). While she was in town she, "Flower child" (her sister), and I met for a pint at a favorite watering hole where we also purchased tokens and promotional mugs for a blessed Stumptown event. As we were walking from the pub to grab a late night bite, K-Dawg stops to chat with a former co-worker ("The Man") as her sister and I continue.

As we were walking a stranger asks us for change and when we denied him, he attempted to rob us of our promotional mug bag.

Now there are a few things to note when attempting to rob someone:

A number 1) Make sure the person you are trying to knockdown is not built like a Cadillac Coup'deville (important that).
B number 2) Do not mess with a knitter. (Hey dude, didn't you see the set of 10½ double points in my hair???)
C number 3) Do not mess with a black woman. We don't play.

I'm pretty sure our attacker realized this because he stopped momentarily to assess the situation. This brief pause gave "The Man" just enough time to catch up and come to our aid. (If you've never seen a Bostonian go "Southy" on someone you are missing out).

As our attacker was being held at bay "K-dawg" and "Flower Child" were glued to their cell phones, talking to emergency services. These are sample sentences from the ordeal:

K-Dawg: "The perpetrator is about 5'6" wearing a beige baseball cap. He has blond hair but darker facial hair. He has muttonchops. He is wearing a gray raglan sleeved sweatshirt...."

Flower Child: "...and now he is running across the street. (pause as she hears K-dawg's raglan sleeve comment) My sister is on the phone with you right now as well. She's actually giving you a thorough description, while I'm only giving you commentary..."

All ended well. The mugs were shattered but the knitting and needles remained unmolested. The authorities came promptly and arrested our attacker. None of the ladies were hurt. "The Man" sported just enough of a black-eye for bragging-rights but is okay other than that. In the interest of quelling fears about walking through the streets of Portland at night or of street people in general. Our city is just as safe (or safer) than any other city in the US. Our attacker was not a local. While that is neither here nor there, it was chance that brought us in his path and I am happy the episode ended well here in Portland rather than badly anywhere else.

Shameless yarn (and sock) pr0n

It's no secret that Knit Purl is starting our very own Sock Club in September...


In fact, I have to be careful what I say to whom, let I spoil the surprises we have in store.

But, luckily, I have a treat for those of you who are sock-inclined - a sneak peek at one of our dyer's work. Now, the yarn I made these socks with will not be the same colorway we've commissioned. Still, it's intended to give you a taste of what Knitted Wit's yarn is like.

Now, Knitted Wit is a brand of yarn dyed locally by Lorajean K. Who is currently expecting a little one of her own to knit for. So her line of yarn will be a bit hard to get for a while :( Still, congratulations are in store.

I found the skein in question on the PDX Knit Bloggers Sock Yarn Crawl a while back and agonized for too long over the "perfect" project to make with it. Enough time passed that I finally CO the first pattern I could find and went with it. Very quickly, I was glad I had been adventurous and felt duly rewarded.

The socks below were knit with Knitted Wit's Superwash Merino Fingering in the colorway "1970's Locker Room" (great name, huh?), using Jean Townsend's "Pretty Petals Socks" pattern.








I wish I could give you more sneak peeks, but I don't want to ruin the surprise entirely. Of course, if you search around online, you might just find out who some of our very talented and very cool other Portland-area dyers are.