Author: knitter

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Trying hard to keep up

RaglanpatternI’ve bypassed the dolman project in favor of getting the raglan homework done for our next class (in a couple of weeks). I thought about adding a fancy cable down the center but since I never seem to have much time lately I decided to go with an very easy stitch pattern.

Row1: *knit 2,purl 1* repeat at *
Row2: purl all stitches

We only need to knit it to the underarm. In class we’ll learn how to calculate decreases for the shoulder and sleeves.

Interesting pattern drawing, isn’t it? Body and sleeve drawn on the same sheet of paper. I remember Jean saying it’s one of the most difficult ones we’ll do this year.

On another note, the half-marathon is next week! I’m ready and can’t wait to get it over with so I can take a break from training.

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Waiting for pieces to dry

Shapedt_back_sleevesFront, back and sleeves are done. Waiting for sleeves to dry and then I need to figure out what to do with the provisionally cast-on edges before sewing the seams.

Also did a swatch for the third sweater, a bottom up raglan. That swatch is also on the drying rack.
I’ll  cast on for that one next since that’s what we’ll be doing in our next class session.

The dolman is on the back burner for now.

I’m exhausted and sore after jogging 12.8 slow miles yesterday. At least I know I can do the half-marathon on the 3oth. That’s 13.1 miles.

I will be so happy when this training cycle is over and I get to ease back on training. It eats up so much time.

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Learning about sericulture in Japan

Here’s a few photos from my recent trip to Japan (click on the photo below).

They were taken during our afternoon visit to the Hida Folk Village outside of Takayama Japan. It’s a village of traditional houses from around this mountainous region. Apparently the only form of agriculture was sericulture. Families raised silk worms on the upper floors of their large houses.

Hida_folk_village

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Shopping for knitting needles in Kyoto

Masuzakiya_kyotoJust got back from a 10 day trip to Japan – six days in Kyoto, three days in Takayama and two in Osaka.

While our schedule was full of various tourist related site seeing spots I was able to pop into a couple of knitting related shops in hopes of getting a full set of Japanese knitting needles.

The first stop was Masuzakiya in the Porta shopping mall under Kyoto station. It wasn’t too hard to find once I asked for directions from the information booth and was given a map. It’s closest to the central entrance to Kyoto Station.

I did a double take when I first saw the shop because from the outside. The racks of sweaters in front make it look like any other clothing store in the mall. Once inside I could clearly see yarn along the walls and in bins on the floor.

I showed up in the late afternoon and was the only customer. Several clerks were ready to help but a bit perplexed when I walked in. I quickly scanned the shop and noticed all of the knitting supplies were behind the register. My first thought was that it wasn’t going to be easy to ask for needles but I did come prepared with a picture of a set of  Clover needles I had found on the internet. I pointed to the picture and  at first the clerk didn’t quite understand but eventually caught on and said “setto?” I nodded and said “Hi, setto”.   A set of  clover needles appeared – exactly as shown in the photo. Success! I then tried asking for smaller sized needles that weren’t in the set. She didn’t seem to have any. I also popped around the register to check out the Clover gadgets they carry. It all look pretty familiar to what was available back home – needles, stitch counters and etc.

KyototowerNext stop was a craft store in the basement of Kyoto Tower called Yoshikawa. I thought I might have a hard time finding it but no, it’s quite easy to find. Just enter Kyoto Tower at the corner near Starbucks, go down the escalator and there it is. It takes up nearly the whole basement with no real store front to speak of.

Really this was the place I should have visited first. The set of needles I had bought at Masuzakiya were about $10 cheeper there! Also they had a much better selection of needles and gadgets. Not only did I find smaller sized needles but also picked up a few rulers including another Nihon Vogue gauge ruler. Not only did they have knitting supplies but also things for many other crafts. Everything was out in easy to reach displays. No need to ask for help.

Since I had gone to both shops for needles I can’t really comment on the yarn at both shops  but did have the impression that the yarn selection/quality was better at Masuzakiya.

Japanese_knitting_needles Later that night when pulled out the set of knitting needles I noticed that the set only included even numbered needles (4 – 14).  How crazy is that! I really wanted a whole set including the odd sized needles. Darn it! The next evening I returned to pick up all the odd sized needles.

Japanese_needle_gauge In case you’re wondering, the reason I wanted a full set of needles from Japan is that they come in a different size range than what is available in North America or Europe. Check out this gauge that came with the set. The needle number is on the left side of the hole and corresponding millimeters on the right side. These needles increase every .3 mm in size.

I’m not sure how much I’ll use these needles because the quality isn’t as good as my Addi Turbo needles. While the cords aren’t quite as bad as the ones on the Clover Bamboo needles they’re not as flexible as Addi Turbo or Knit Picks. Also they’re aluminum with no nickel plated finish.

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Dolman swatch

Here’s the swatch for the dolman cardigan.

I’m already behind.

Over the past few days I’ve started another swatch for the puffy sleeve tee with larger needles and redrew patterns after measuring my body parts again.  I’ve lost a few centimeters (and 12 pounds) over the past few months. I’m still putting in miles although it is getting harder to do with the light changing and class starting again, but I’m determined to keep it up.

Dolman_swatch2_3

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Just in time

Dolman_swatch_2The yarn for the dolman sleeved sweater arrived yesterday, that’s two days before class starts again.

Earlier in the week I started a swatch out of the same yarn but a different color. There was no way I would show up  swatchless.

Yeah, that’s what happens with this class. Nightmares about forgetting to show up for college classes are replace with nightmares about showing up sans swatch and unprepared.

So on that note, I’m off to finish my swatches.

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Vacation almost over

Puffy_swatchWe got our homework assignment a couple of days ago. Swatches for the next two garments; one with puffy sleeves and the other with dolman sleeves.

Here’s my unwashed swatch for the puffy sleeves. If it looks familiar then perhaps you’ve seen it in Knitting Lingerie Style. It’s the Shaped Lace T (aka Krista). I nixed Classic Elite Provence and exchanged it for Cascade Sierra. Sierra is so much softer and definitely a better choice.

My dolman sleeved garment will look something like this Stanwyck sweater in Rowan’s latest book. However the body will be worked in a lace pattern. I wasted many hours this past weekend looking for the perfect yarn but in the end settle on Knit Picks Gloss in Dusk. Since I’m not sure how the dolman will look I didn’t want to sink too much money into yarn for this project.

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SKG Class Notes: Shortrow Buttonholes

Here are notes from last night’s class as promised. It describes how to complete the whole swatch.

Swatch: Cast on 30 sts & knit 2×2 rib. Start and end with two knit stitches. Six or so rows total.

Instructions:
1. Place markers after 7th (red), 15th(white) and 23rd (blue) stitches.

(Note: In following steps I will refer to these markers by color : red, white and blue  so that I don’t confuse you when you turn the piece)

2. Work in pattern to red marker and turn.

3. Work in pattern to end and turn.

4. Work in pattern to white marker (slip red marker when you get to it) and turn.

5. Work in pattern to one stitch before red marker. We’re now going to close the gap for the first buttonhole.

6. Slip next stitch purlwise to right hand needle.

7. With left hand needle pick up bar from front to back, making a new stitch on left hand needle.

8. Slip previously slipped stitch on right hand needle back to left hand needle and knit it together with stitch picked up in previous step and turn.

9. With left hand needle pick up bar (front to back) and purl this stitch with next purl stitch on left hand needle.

10. Work in pattern to blue marker (slip white marker when you get to it) and turn.

11. Work in pattern to one stitch before white marker. We’re now going to close the gap for the second buttonhole.

12. Slip next stitch purlwise to right hand needle.

13. With left hand needle pick up bar from front to back, making a new stitch on left hand needle.

14. Slip previously slipped stitch on right hand needle back to left hand needle and knit it together with stitch picked up in previous step and turn.

15.  With left needle pick up bar (front to back) and purl this stitch with next purl stitch on left hand needle.

16. Work in pattern to end of swatch and turn.

17. Work in pattern to one stitch before blue marker. We’re now going to close the gap for the last buttonhole.

18. Slip next stitch purlwise to right hand needle.

19. With left hand needle pick up bar from front to back, making a new stitch on left hand needle.

20. Slip previously slipped stitch on right hand needle back to left needle and knit it together with stitch picked up in previous step and turn.

21. With left needle pick up bar (front to back) and purl this stitch with next purl stitch on left hand needle.

22. Work in pattern to end of swatch. Buttonholes are now  complete.

23. Finish swatch by working several more rows in pattern and bind off.