A Quaker Study: 20 hours completed

July 15, 2007April 18, 2011 KateLeave a comment

“A Quaker Study” is humming right along, due largely to the fact that many of the design elements are repeats so there’s not a lot of time spent consulting the chart every few minutes.

The stark, geometric look of this sampler is so beautiful to me, and you know I’m a sucker for anything with the alphabet on it. It also reminds me a little bit of the brown and gold calico quilts my grandmother used to make. In fact, the first quilt she ever helped me make was a wall-hanging with a large eight-pointed star on it not unlike the small repeated star motif just above and below the alphabet on this sampler. I hadn’t thought of that connection until just now. Funny.

This is the third or fourth time I’ve worked with Splendor silks by Rainbow Gallery (colors: S1038, S1039, and S1040). I’m using the lightest brown and darkest brown for the geometric motifs and the medium (S1039) for the lettering of the alphabet. So far I give them a positive review. The strands divide easily, but not too easily, and even though silk can be notoriously fragile, these strands hold up very well in spite of the fact that I like to use relatively long lengths of floss while stitching. To me, time spent rethreading the needle is time lost.

I Like Mikes

July 1, 2007April 18, 2011 Kate1 Comment

I went to see Michael Moore’s new movie, Sicko, this morning and, as is my wont, I brought along some knitting to do. Yes, I knit. At the movies. In the dark. Yes. All the time.

Anyone else knit at the movies? People are usually pretty incredulous when I tell them, but I know I can’t be the only one.

My roommate’s niece is a big fan of the Monkees (weren’t we all at sixteen?) and wants me to make her a Mike Nesmith hat like the one he’s wearing the the photo above (he’s the guy on the right in the pink shirt and, yes, the green wool hat). Here’s a better picture:

Before I started doing internet research on Michael Nesmith, I knew precisely three things about him:

1. He was the tall guy in the Monkees who wore the green wool hat.

2. He had a reputation for being the “serious” Monkee, the one with real musical talent and training.

3. His mother invented Liquid Paper.

I always suspected that the third factoid was a little suspicious, of the “Mikey died from eating Pop Rocks and Pepsi” variety of celebrity stories. But it turns out to be true!

As a semi-professional knitter who has learned the hard way the importance of gauge swatches, I had already done two (in stockinette and 1-by-1 rib stitch) and so it was just a matter of figuring out the right number of stitches and making sure that number was divisible by four so I could have four decreases at the top. I used good ol’ Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in color #300506 (a beautiful forest green) and knitted with two strands held together on size 11 needles.

Here’s my progress so far (completed entirely during the previews and running time of Sicko):

{sorry! this photo’s link was lost during the transition

over from Typepad. Lost, forever lost!}

When I finish, I’ll include the pattern with my free patterns, so all you Monkees fans can enjoy. Wear your hats proudly in public even though you get the funniest looks from everyone you meet. And, please, send me your photos!

Update 07/29/07: my free pattern for the Michael Nesmith hat is now available here.

Summer Solstice Stitchin’

June 21, 2007March 30, 2014 KateLeave a comment

I have a dream.

OK, so my dream is nowhere near as lofty and admirable, say, as a day when our children will live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character, but it is, as the Bard might say, mine own.

I have long been obsessed with cross stitch designs based on seasonal themes–so obsessed that I have an entire 3-inch binder filled with designs labeled “Seasons and Holidays other than Christmas” (just imagine how many binders I have devoted to Christmas!). One day, if I can ever afford a home of my own in California’s insanely overpriced real estate market, I’m going to have an entire wall devoted to seasonal and holiday-themed cross stitch designs that I rotate in as the year progresses.

If you can understand that dream, you’re my kind of crazy.

For now, I am content taking steps towards that goal by stitching the Mirabilia “In My Garden” series, beginning with “Summer in My Garden”:

My goals are to stitch “Summer in my Garden” in summer, “Autumn in my Garden” in autumn, and so on. And, as a major geek, I’ve chosen to define the seasons according to the solstices and equinoxes. Today is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, so I begin today with my summer project. This plan gives me three months to complete each one–doable, I think. Yes? No? Anyone else care to join in?

Since these are (relatively) simple patterns with a lot of “white space,” I am going to do them on hand-dyed linens. Coming soon: you get to vote on what color linen I should use!

A Kimono Jacket for Brooke

June 13, 2007September 27, 2014 KateLeave a comment

As a follow-up to my previous posts about catching up on knitting for the family, I present these slightly murky photos of the kimono jacket I made for my new first-cousin-once-removed, Brooke Ellen Same-Last-Name-as-Yours-Truly. She was born last December 28th, but last weekend’s wedding was the first chance I got to see her father since her birth so I gave it to him then. Here’s a super-cute picture of my cousin, his son, and Brooke when she was just born.

Pardon the poor quality of the photos. I took them on my cell phone while propping up the jacket on a suitcase in the back of my car.

I used ivory Suss Cotton for the main color and trimmed it with a single crochet edging in willow Suss Cotton. I love sage green for baby clothes. The original Kristin Spurkland pattern, from the Summer 2005 Interweave Knits “Baby Gifts” section, didn’t call for any edging, but I really think it adds the perfect finish. Here’s a detailed look at the matching sage green ribbon closure:

The ribbon is a simple grosgrain with an ivory dashed stripe woven through the middle. This was a very simple pattern to follow (all garter stitch and all in one piece!) with very little seaming. Highly recommended for those of us knitters who dislike sewing.

Update, June 2009: an online version of “Baby Kimono” by Kristin Spurkland is available through Knitting Daily as part of their “7 Free Baby Knitting Patterns.”

A Blanket for Kane

June 10, 2007May 5, 2011 KateLeave a comment

So, my little baby brother (who’s not so little and not much of a baby anymore–ahem!) got married last weekend! Congratulations! The couple in question has been together almost eleven years, so there was plenty of joking about rushing into marriage and how maybe they should take some time to see if they were really compatible.

Of course, this presented me with plenty of opportunities for knitting and cross stitch, and catching up on crafty gift-giving. Unfortunately, I don’t have pictures of the little jacket for cousin Brooke (why oh why did I think a cell phone picture was adequate?) or the lace shawl for the bride, but here’s a picture of the blanket I made for first-cousin-once-removed, brand new baby Kane Finley Same-Last-Name-as-Yours-Truly.

The pattern is from Suss Cousins Hollywood Knits Style and is called, appropriately enough, “Baby’s First Blanket.” Instead of the neutrals called for in the pattern, I chose Suss Cotton in White, Spa Blue (darker), Sky Blue (lighter), and Honeydew. Each of the nine patches is done separately and grafted together with single crochet at the end. I love the way this looks, even though my crochet skills could still use a lot of work.

Welcome to the world, Citizen Kane!

Bye, Bye Black Sheep, Part II

May 22, 2007April 18, 2011 KateLeave a comment

More on the sale at the late, lamented Black Sheep Knittery…

To the left, see a close-up of some beautiful Louisa Harding Sari Ribbon in four different colorways. There are plans to make a garter stitch/drop stitch scarf from the variegated red skein on the far right. The rest will be used for fringe, or will be woven into the knitted stitches of a shawl, or… who knows? At 75% off, I felt like I could splurge on ribbon yarn, which I usually consider a luxury.

Most of my other purchases were bulky wools and variegated hand-dyes, the kinds of “33 yards to a skein” yarns you usually feel way to guilty (not to mention ridiculous) buying. What exactly do they think you’re going to be able to do with 33 yards?

Here’s a close-up of half of my haul, arrayed on my sofa:

And the other half arrayed on my trunk:

I know what you’re thinking: “Enough yarn porn, stitch geek! Just cut to the chase–exactly how much money did you save?” Well, I’m glad you asked, even if you did drag me away from fantasies of throwing all my stash on the floor and rolling around in it…. Ahem! But I digress….

Since admitting how much I spent makes me blush and stammer (even more than talking about rolling around in piles of yarn), let’s put it this way: if I had bought all of this yarn and assorted knitting accessories at regular retail prices, it would have cost me $2261.58 (without tax). I paid less than 25% of that. Yes, I did the math. There’s a surprising amount of math involved in being a semi-professional stitch geek.

I leave you with one last bit of yarn porn: Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride, the stuff felting dreams are made on…. This is my absolute favorite felting yarn, the 15% mohair makes a beautiful halo, and it comes in practically every color of the rainbow. It’s also quite affordable, even when it’s not priced below wholesale. This sale will enable me to afford to make the big bulletin board and laptop from one of my favorite recent releases, Leigh Radford’s Alterknits. Check it out and be inspired. And let me know if you want to start a “Lace-Up Shawl” KAL. I’m so there!

Bye Bye Black Sheep!

May 20, 2007May 5, 2011 KateLeave a comment

Black Sheep Knittery, a much-beloved knitting store in Hollywood, is closing. Rumor has it that the owner is growing tired of her commute and wants to relocate closer to home. Apparently, she already has a new site picked out.

Here in the Los Angeles area, we are spoiled for choice when it comes to yarn shops. Here’s the link to the LA Stitch ‘n’ Bitch (are we allowed to use that term anymore? what’s up with that law suit?) list of local yarn shops. Go ahead, look. I’ll be here when you get back…

However, with all this choice comes competition, and what with the cooling off of the Stitch ‘n’ Bitch trend and the approach of the hot Southern California summer, it’s sad to see a yarn store go away, even though it looks like it will be back soon. More than one of those shops on that list is experiencing difficulties and is planning on downsizing or going out of business. I suppose it was inevitable that the knitting craze was bound to taper off, but I am going to adopt an uncharacteristically optimistic attitude and predict that knitting is here to stay.

Although I am sad to see Black Sheep go, I must say that the deals were fantastic! I doubt that I will ever see deals this good again in my lifetime. No exaggeration–all yarn was 75% off. That’s lower than wholesale, folks. My only regret is that I didn’t realize sooner that this sale was the real deal.

Still, I got some amazing deals (more below) and here are a couple photos to give you an idea of the place. This shot was taken from the loft, where I was almost buried in lovely, luxurious bulky Rowan and Debbie Bliss. Mmmmmmm….. bulky yarn…..

And here’s another showing my roommate packing up all our yarn purchases in these amazing IKEA vinyl bags we just bought the other day:

Check out those groovy lampshades! This sale was so amazing, that I went on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, each day vowing it would be my last visit. On Saturday, I ran into the amazing Ellen Bloom of LA is my Beat.

Here are all my purchases arrayed on my sofa and trunk:

This should keep me off the streets for quite some time. And I just got my stash organized and cataloged in my characteristically geeky way–whatever shall I do? Unfortunately, I must go now! More to come soon….

Update 01/24/10: all the links in this post appear to be dead now; I’m not surprised about the Black Sheep Knittery link, of course, but the Stitch n Bitch LA link is something of a surprise. I guess the SnB trend really is over.

The dba’s in the mail

May 11, 2007April 15, 2011 KateLeave a comment

Today was one of those exasperating, not-a-thing-goes-right kind of days except for exactly two things.

First, I finished my ten-hour rotation on “The Quaker Study” by Carriage House Samplings:

Floss: Splendor (silk) by Rainbow Gallery, colors S1040 & S1038, one strand over two

Fabric: Creme Brulee, 40 count, by R & R Reproductions

Here’s what it’s going to look like when I’m finished:

And, even better, I filed my dba! A single-page form (downloaded from the web, no less) and a check for $23 and I am officially on my way to wealth and fame in the world of cross stitch! As Homer Simpson would say, “Woo-hoo!”

I’ve always depended upon the kindness of stitchers, Part II

April 24, 2007January 20, 2011 KateLeave a comment

It’s been two days now but I’m still on my stitcher’s high from my telephone conversation with Colleen Leader of Follow the Leader Designs. After playing email tag for a few days, I finally got to actually talk with Colleen who was generous, supportive, and patient to the extreme. She gave me advice and answered my questions for a staggering two-and-a-half hours and even tried to convince me that I was doing her the favor.

I’m really starting to believe I can have my own needlework design company.

Colleen believes that inspiring new stitchers and nurturing new designers is a matter of self-preservation for the entire cross stitch industry. As needleworkers age (and knitters seem to be getting younger and younger), we should all embrace this far-reaching philosophy if we want to keep cross stitch alive.

In case you’re interested, here’s the essence of Colleen’s advice to me:

1. File a dba (“doing business as”) form, otherwise known as a “fictitious name” form, with the county to register my company’s name as soon as possible (once it’s filed, I’ll let you know what it is!). This is the first piece of essential paperwork to start the financial ball rolling.

2. Join the Yahoo groups devoted to the business side of cross stitch: DesignersBiz and DesignersandStitchers

3. Join professional organizations like TNNA (The National NeedleArts Association)

4. Work on getting published in cross stitch magazines like The Gift of Stitching or (fingers crossed!) the Just Cross Stitch Christmas ornament issue

5. Contact fabric and floss companies to get on their mailing lists and/or join their designer programs

6. Keep good financial records and receipts, but don’t worry about finding a tax advisor until you’re a little further along in the process. And, when you do consult a tax professional, be assertive about how much things like a fat quarter of 28-count Belfast linen and an itsy-bitsy skein of silk floss costs.

7. Don’t be shy! Talk to other designers who’ve been in the business for a long time and ask them for advice. Here’s hoping they’re all as friendly as Colleen!

Of course, the best suggestion Colleen gave me was to have faith in myself and my designs. Stay tuned, dear readers!

Update 01/20/10: For an update on the latest with Colleen Leader, see this post.

Coming out of the Closet, Literally

April 22, 2007April 3, 2011 KateLeave a comment

In an effort to make my June 9th deadline for clearing all (or at least a big chunk of) my “family and friends” stitching, I decided to look through my closetful of FUFO’s to see if there was anything that would do in a pinch. I hang my completed cross stitch from pants hangers and drape a plastic bag over them to keep the dust out.

Now, I’ve been stitching for over 25 years, and seriously stitching for at least the past ten, so I’ve got quite a backlog, as you can see.

Including this little gem from Linda Reeves (does anyone know if she’s still around? Whatever happened to La Broderie?):

Pardon the atrocious lighting, especially since it makes it so difficult to see the wonderful, rich reds and browns of this pattern.

Can you believe I only found one design I was willing to part with that was both ready to go and appropriate for the occasion? It was this adorable little guy all done up in silks, “Peter’s Patch” from Shepherd’s Bush:

Pardon the creases. Several years ago, I made the companion piece, “Sophie’s Roses,” for a cousin’s baby, Rose (get it? roses for Rose? nudge nudge, wink wink), and it was a big hit. This is the Shepherd’s Bush I love–colorful, bright, and full of specialty stitches. Now, who’s going to be the lucky recipient?