Math is Everywhere

Lately I've been thinking a lot about math. The amazing spiral produced by my pineapple plant ( with purple flowers!) follows the Fibonacci number sequence ( http://www.world-mysteries.com/sci_17.htm ) and is just lovely. I finished the top of the Tessellation Sampler, which is a quilting exploration of semi-regular tessellations for the next mathematics and needlework book from the group that brought us "Mathematics in Needlework". See my post from 2008 for details about that wonderful book ( http://jeririggs.blogspot.com/2008/01/making-mathematics-with-needlework.html ).

And of course, there is knitting! I finished my second Ingrid Cardigan, this time in blue : yarn:Trendsetter Merino VIII, needle size 8. A very wearable and lovely sweater in my favorite shade of blue!

Pattern available in my Ravelry Store ( http://www.ravelry.com/ , Jeri Rigged Designs).

Ingrid Cardigan lives!

On the coldest day so far, I finally finished my cardigan, which is great, as it is 19 degrees here today! My son obliged me in taking some photos. On the whole I am pleased with how it came out, as I gave in to the zipper fetish I seem to have. There is just something so cozy and symmetrical about zippers. Maybe it is the nice hug feeling, or the fact that, despite shaping and such, I always feel buttons will gape and open unattractively. Anyway, I have nearly finished writing up the pattern, except for the size modifications, and then it will be ready for prime time.

Now I'll have to finish my blue cardigan, and then contemplate my next project...

Here it is with collar up...and then, back view:

And finally side:

Ingrid Cardigan, part 2

So, the most challenging part of working a top down set in sleeve cardigan is, of course, incorporating all of the cables and shaping as you are knitting it. I find I must have an image in my mind of what I want it to look like when finished, and work towards that. It is naturally easier to knit from the bottom up, as you have all of the main cables established, and the shaping for armholes and sleeves and such occurs by decreasing mainly, so you don't have as much to keep track of. Of the other hand, you don't get the fun of watching things emerge from nowhere either, so there is that. Also the piece can be tried on as you go, so adjustments for length and proportion can be done on the fly.

So, here I was last night, having divided for sleeves and knitting merrily along. I am liking how it is coming out, but decided I needed to add a rope cable at the armhole edge of the fronts and backs. This meant doing a bit of surgery, by unknitting the 6 sts at the edges of the armholes and reknitting them as 4 knits of cable and 2 purls. Doing this 4 times took a couple of hours, but I was very pleased with how that came out. Writing that into the pattern ensued. Now the pattern is probably complete, and most of the details worked out except for sizing. I'm going to wait on that until I finish knitting this one, in case of surprises.

Here is another view of the front:

And here are two more views after a bunch of more knitting:

And the front:

I'm really liking how this is coming out, fortunately!

.

Ingrid Sweater,part 1

So, here is the cable I started with for the collar of my new sweater. I hope the chart and directions make sense!

This is the front( RS) of the cable.

This is the back, or WS. But it might as well be the front side!

In designing this cable, I decided to have all of the crossing action occur on the RS. This makes for a lot of cabling in one row, but ultimately easier to keep track of, since the WS knitting is all "K the Ks and P the Ps" as they appear.

Here is the chart:

And here is the key:

P4F: Move 2 purl sts to cable needle( CN), hold in front, p2, p2 from CN

P4B: Move 2 purls to CN, hold in back, p2 ,p2 from CN
C4F: Move 2 knits to CN, hold in front, work next 2 sts as they appear, k2 from CN
C4B:Move 2 knits to CN, hold in back, work 2 sts as they appear,k2 from CN

And here is the cable pattern in words:

Cable A: on 24 sts

Row 1: (RS) K2,P4F,C4B,P4F,C4B,P4F,K2
Row 2: (WS) P2,K4,p4,k4,p4,k4,p2
Row 3: k2,p2,C4b,c4f,c4b,c4f,p2,k2
Row 4: p2,k2,p2,k4,p4,k4,p2,k2
Row 5:K2,p2,k2,p4b,c4f,p4b,k2,p1,k2
Row 6:P2,k2,p2,k4,p4,k4,p2,k2,p2
Row 7:k2,p2,k2,p2,c4f,c4b,p2,k2,p2,k2
Row 8: p2, k2,p2,k2,p2,k4,p2,k2,p2,k2,p2
Row 9: (k2p2) twice,k2,p4f,(k2,p2) twice,k2
Row 10: (p2,k2( twice,p2, k4, (p2,k2) twice, p2
Row 11: (k2,p2) three times,(p2,k2) three times
Row 12: same as row 10
Row 13: same as row 9
Row 14: same as row 8
Row 15: (k2,p2) twice,C4F, C4B,(p2,k2) twice
Row 16: same as row 4
Row 17: k2,p2,k2,P4B,C4F,P4B,k2,p2,k2
Row 18: same as row 4
Row 19:k2,p2,C4F,C4B,C4F, C4B,p2,k2
Row 20 same as row 2

I find the chart much easier to knit from, as it is a graphic representation.
So, here is the beginning of the sweater, with the collar and the two fronts attached.I'm using two different cable patterns, but the second one is not reversible. Now, back to knitting!

And here is progress up to Row 11 of the yoke:

Meanwhile, I'm still working on my other cabled sweater, having divided for sleeves and now knitting the body:

And here is my friend Linda trying it on from the back:

Kaitlin's Scarf

Here is Kaitlin's Scarf. A Double Moss , 2x2 cable , which is completely reversible.

Here is the pattern:

2 skeins of Misti Alpaca chunky, on size 11 needles,

3 stitch markers ( the safety-pin kind work best), cable needle.
Use the 3rd stitch marker as a row marker to keep track of when to cable next by hanging it off one of the selvedge loops. As the scarf is reversible, it makes it easier to tell when you are on the correct side for cabling if you don't want to look at the pattern, and then you can just read your knitting instead of counting rows. Also,I knit the first stitch of every row and slip the last stitch with yarn in front to make a chained edge.
57 X 6 1/2 inches
SM= slip marker
Cast on 24 stitches. Place a marker after stitch 8 and after stitch 16.
Row1: * K2,P2* 11 times,P1, Slip 1 with yarn in front.
Row 2: K1,*K2,P2* 11 times, slip1, WYIF
Row 3: K1, P1, K2,P2,K2, SM,*K2, P2 * twice, SM, P2, K2, P2, K1, S1 wyif
Row 4: K1, p1, K2,P2,K2, SM, *,K2,P2* twice, SM,P2, K2, P2, K1,S1 wyif
Row 5:: same as row 1
Row 6: same as row 2
Row 7: same as row 3
Row 8:K1,P1,K2,P2,K2,SM,place first four sts on cable needle, hold to front. Knit2,P2, then K2,P2 from Cable needle, SM, P2,K2,P2,K1,S1wyif
Mark the row you cable on to make it easier to keep track, and repeat rows 1-8 for pattern . Cast off in pattern, weave in ends, block and enjoy.

On this scarf, I actually cabled every 6 rows, but I think it is easier to keep track of on every 8 rows, and makes a looser cable.

Enjoy!

Scarf Attack, part 2

Here it is, December 23rd, and I have finished 2 scarves, with 1/2 of the third one done. What happened? Well, it turns out that knitting on large gauge needles ( size 11s) gives me a case of Knitter's Elbow, and the neck pain to go with it. Oy. Something about the way I knit at that gauge sets off pain in the small muscles of my forearms. But I have the yarn, the idea, and the deadline. But the flesh won't cooperate. I can knit for 1/2 hour, and then the pain sets in. Pushing it only makes it worse. Rest is the only cure, but how long can you rest? How to get these done? Frustration is setting in!
I finished the second one by a combination of resting for a week, then limiting the time to 20 minutes at a clip, changing to 14 inch straight needles so I could rest the needles on my lap, using cushions to prop up my elbows. Neck exercises and hanging my head over the side of the bed with my head suspended in my hands helped a bunch, as well as Advil and heat.
Here are the scarves so far:

The middle one is Lauren's Scarf: A double Moss pattern with 1x1 ribbing cable. I like the fluffiness of this pattern, and it is a snuggly scarf, same size as the green one. The purple one is Kaitlin's Scarf, but it is half done. It is also Double Moss on the sides, but here the cable is 2x2 ribbing. I think it makes a more raised cable, and it is easier to work with the Double moss, as the whole thing is K2,P2. I like all of the patterns, I just can't knit with such large needles!

Meanwhile, for breaks, I resumed knitting a top-down cardigan version of St Brigid which I'd begun last winter and put aside as the weather warmed up. This is on size 6 needles, and for some reason doesn't hurt my arms! I can knit on this one for 3 hours at a clip ( with short breaks, of course). Very odd. But I'm glad I can do something! It would be very hard if I had to stop knitting entirely. Shudder....

Anyway, I am going to try to finish that last scarf! Otherwise, she will get an IOU...
Next year I will remember why I don't knit to deadlines!

Celtic Braid Cardigan

In October, I made the now yearly pilgrimage to Rhinebeck for the NY State Sheep and Wool Festival. What a euphoric extravaganza of delightful fiber! It was fantastic to walk through the vendors offerings, touching and fondling and oohing and ahhing. I found a glorious skein of beautiful brilliant blue yarn at the Decadent Fibers booth, and I had to have it. This skein was 490 yards, huge, but to make the sweater I envisioned, with cables and flourishes, I thought I'd need 3 skeins probably. They happened to have 3, and although they were hand dyed by the same dyers, of course it is very challenging to get them exactly the same, so there were differences in the intensity and value of the color. However, I didn't care, so I bought them! This yarn is 50%merino, 30% silk and 20% mohair. I was a little worried about the itchiness of the mohair, which I usually don't like, but this yarn was soft and slightly fuzzy with a bit of a sheen.
This cardigan was fun to knit. I started with a top down raglan with some idea of the cables I wanted to use ( mainly the saxon braid and a simple 4 stitch cable) and kind of winged it from there, trying on as I went, to get the fit. It was a lot of fun to design, and despite the slightly differing colors of the skeins, it is fine to my eye. The zipper makes it a close hug of a sweater, perfect for those cold days, but the comfortable yarn makes it soft and light weight. And of course, it is blue! I ended up using only about 1200 yards, so I still have around 300 left.

Glove Love

I enjoyed making these warm and dense gloves!I started with Ann Budd's amazing "Knitter's handy Book of Patterns" basic glove pattern, using worsted weight alpaca yarn knit on size 3 needles to get 6 sts/inch, and plugged a 24-stitch celtic cable from The Knitter’s Bible into the back of the gloves, which provided interest and extra warmth. I modified the basic pattern also in length to give longer cuffs and tried on the gloves as I knit to customize the finger length to fit me. I also found that using kitchener to finish the tips after a round of K2 tog gave a nicer tip, and putting the ” resting” hand stitches on a small circular needle while knitting the fingers in sequence made things less fiddly and more fun. I love the color and warmth of this alpaca yarn, and removed most of the sparkles as I did on the sweater I made last month.

Crop Sleeve Raglan

I don't usually knit a pattern exactly as written, but this sweater called to me. "Crop Sleeve Raglan" by Gayle Bunn, from Knit 'N Style, August 2005. Yarn: ggh Bali, a cotton/acrylic blend. Usually I avoid acrylics, but this was on sale and also it didn't feel squeaky or icky. It had the added advantage of being sproingy and lighter than 100% cotton would be, so a good mix.
This was a fun sweater to knit. Of course, I knit it in the round and seamlessly, despite it being written in pieces, as I love the possibility of trying it on as I go along.
After establishing the pattern, it was very easy to keep track of and turned into my favorite summer drag-along project. The yarn I used was very stretchy, so it was a challenge to get gauge. I tried it on every inch on the way up the body to make sure it would fit! I modified the pattern to be knit seamlessly in the round, and used seed stitch instead of moss stitch on sleeves and ribs, adding a bit of width in the bust area, and 2 inches in length to the sleeves for a bit more coverage. .


A very comfortable summer project!

Winter Knitting

Here is mysecond take on Alice Starmore's St Brigid sweater, this time done as a top-down raglan. I really enjoyed how this one came together, although I wished I had a bit more yarn, as it is a "cropped" length, which sometimes I like and sometimes I don't like. But I'm too lazy to order another skein or rip out the prevvious sweater which is a bit too long! I have already cast on for another one...

Here is a pullover version of my Top Down Diamond Alpaca sweater, this time with V neck.Reynolds Regal Alpaca, size 9 needles, 8 skeins exactly. I have been wearing this one every day since I made it, as it has been really cold for New York springtime...I'm finally warm enough with this sweater on! ( and two cats who adore alpaca also).

Diamond Cardigan

The coincidence of getting “French Girl Knits” in the mail the same day I had lunch with a friend wearing a marvelous cabled sweater instigated this sweater. I wanted to use my stash of lovely blue Reynolds Andean Alpaca Regal yarn( which I had used for the mittens and had 8 skeins left!) , and Kristeen Griffin-Grimess' top down, set-in-sleeve pattern “Viola” was so well written that it just flowed together. I used the “X-in-a-diamond” single cable from Barbara Walker’s First Treasury (pg 287) to give added texture, and also made long sleeves. As I knit a different yarn at a tighter gauge ( 16 per inch on a size 9 needle) than the pattern was written for, I used the numbers for the 44 inch size. I am very happy with this cardigan, although I think the zipper is a bit too long and may re-do it when the mood hits me. It is warm and soft and has the right shade of blue.

Plus, it went very fast! I watched "John Adams" and a few other shows and it was done in 2 weeks!

Winter Obsession, part 3

I finally finished my deep V-necked raglan version of St Brigid, and sewed in the last end .I'm not sure I like it yet; I'll have to wash and block to see how it really looks, but for now all the parts are connected and the sweater is warm and interesting. It ended up more like a tunic, and is very comfortable and warm on this frigid day, but I still wish I had started it from the top down so I would have more control over the length and such. As it was, I had to re-do the yoke once because it wasn't coming together at the correct rate of decrease( it had to be 16 sts per every other row instead of the usual 8), so after 300 yards of knitting from the armholes up, it had to be frogged and re-done. In retrospect I probably shouldn't have made the V so deep, but it was difficult to judge how it would fall without the yoke being finished. I am tempted to rip it back and re-do it again, but in fact I am ready for it to be done! Which of course means I have to start something new...oh, dear!

Yarn:Nashua Handknits Superwash 7.5 skeins ( 218yds per skein), size 6 needles, color:24

Winter Obsession part 2

So here are the fruits of the last few weeks of knitting pleasure. I have had to graph out the project nearly line by line, as I decided it might be possible to make this into a raglan V necked design, which pleased my sense of geometry and hopefully will fit me. All the possibilities of set- in sleeves seemed to do inelegant things to the cables, and while I will probably attempt top- down set- in sleeves in one piece in future, these cables seemed to want to merge in diagonal ways. And to make it less warm to wear, a V neck seemed like a good idea at the time.
So I began to make the braid cable emerge in the front while I decreased in the center cable panel. I'm in the middle of the 5th repeat , and took advantage of the end of this ball of yarn to work on a sleeve. I decided to add 2 stitches every 4 rows until I had a whole cable on either side of the center "seam" and then knit straight to the armpit. 5 cable repeats gives me the arm length measurement I need, so I am pleased. It is kind of scary, though , to work bottom up, as I have become so used to the control and predictability of working top down and being able to try it on as I go. Ah well, live and learn! I am enjoying this quite a bit, watching the graphs turn into stitches and seeing my measurement predictions turn out. As this is a superwash wool, it may turn out bigger than it is as knitted, after I block it, which will be fine, as it seems to be a bit smaller than I predicted from the swatch. In my eagerness to get going of course I didn't wash the swatch! Live dangerously! Luckily I don't have to please anyone except myself, so it is all good. And I can always rip and re-knit. Or find some unsuspecting child to give it to. Or put it in the Museum of Knitting Experiments.

Winter Obsession

Alice Starmore's knitting oevre is legendary among knitters. She has a site now called http://www.virtualyarns.com/ with lovely photos of her designs where you can purchase kits for the yarn. Sadly, many of her books remain out of print, but now and again they can be found on Ebay or, amazingly enough, in local libraries!

When I started this knitting odyssey, I was attracted to very complex designs, with lovely intricate colorwork and/or cables , but soon realized they were way beyond my skill level. I had a while to go in terms of learning before I could tackle anything that complicated. There is also the time factor: dancing between desiring instant gratification and long term projects , as well as the need to master as many things as possible, I gravitated towards lace, which gives the satisfaction of complexity with the speed of human timeframes on larger needles. For some situations, my RSD strikes and I have to back off, so that factors into my choice of projects . Also, I like to make garments that I can wear, so there is the intellectual challenge of knitting to create a 3 dimensional object and making something that fits me.

I have long adored Ms. Starmore's

St. Brigid, http://www.virtualyarns.com/scripts/showitem.asp?ID=61

an intricate cabled sweater, but because the smallest size is 43 inches across the chest, and has dropped sleeves, I knew I could not wear something this big, and it would not flatter me.

Zooming around Ravelry, ( www.ravelry.com ) I came across several folks who had modified the design to fit them, and I had the idea that I could try to knit something for myself.

I finally knew enough to have an idea how I could manage this! And I had several stashed yarns that might be fun to knit this with. And finally, I had a dear friend who had the book Aran Knitting, so I was able to borrow it on Dec 10th and obtain the pattern, which is charted out. So, it all came together into my winter obsession.

Now, what is the first thing one does when starting a new knitting project? Swatching! My first swatch, in Zara on a size 4 needle, didn't make me happy somehow. I swatched again with Nashua Handknits Creative Focus Superwash, a merino wool blend that has a rustic feel, but is actually nice to knit with. And it shows the cables nicely, and I had 10 skeins ( at 218 yds each) so I had plenty of yarn! And of course, it is in electric blue.

My swatch of this yielded 22 sts per inch on a 6 in double moss, which is pretty close to the pattern gauge, so I cast on and knit a repeat in the round of the whole sweater, subtracting 12 sts on each side, hoping it would come out to something more like 40 inches.I needed to make a set of stitch markers with letters on them so I could keep my place in the charts.

As is the nature of swatches, they lie! LOL! My swatch measures 46 inches!

But I now have a nice piece of fabric to measure and gauge how to redesign the pattern so it will hopefully fit me.

And it's back to the drawing board for thinking about this some more...