January 23, 2008Handspun Handknit Braintrust? Bueller? Bueller?I feel like I'm a little cursed when it comes to knitting up my handspun. I've tried several times and keep having to rip and re-start. It's funny, because I pride myself on being able to pick the right project for a particular yarn, and yet when it comes to my own yarn I'm a bit stumped. Exhibit A: the wonderful party dress handspun:  Gorgeous yarn, crappy swatch. This definitely falls into the category of "what the hell was I thinking?" Clearly, this stitch pattern has got to go - the vertical welts are totally duking it out with the horizontal stripes. D'oh! So many rookie mistakes all in one project - yikes. I've been calling this one "The One in My Head," but I'm pretty sure it's the one NOT in my head - anywhere! I think my first mistake was spinning the roving into too thick of a yarn. It's totally fun as a skein, but for me the practical value of a brightly-colored, striped, bulky thick and thin yarn is questionable. I would have done much better to spin this as a DK or sport-weight. It is wonderfully squooshy, though, and I really do want to use it, so I'm going to soldier on after a little break. I'm thinking something on the diagonal would be good, and something for a child or baby would be well-advised. Maybe a funky chevron scarf for my niece? Or one of those diagonal scarves that everyone used to make with Kureyon? Or maybe even another so-called scarf? Sadly, I'm having trouble being terribly creative with this one! If you have ideas, puleeeze leave them in the comments. I could use all the help I can get! [Edited to add: I've spun it all and have about 310 yards to work with. You guys have already come up with a ton of good ideas! Keep them coming!!!]  My saving grace: Judy's Grandmother's Baby Sweater. In general, I've been pretty stumped the last few weeks. I think it's partially because everything on my needles is my own designing and I've reached the point where I really need to either write things down or do some math or both, and my little pea brain just is not up to it. It's a shame, because I was so excited about all these ideas about a month ago, and made some real progress. (Luckily, I did type up the pattern for Mishka during that time period. It still needs to be charted and sized, but the instructions are there rather than somewhere off in the ether.)
I settled on Judy's Grandma's Baby Sweater from the Greetings from Knit Cafe book. I have to say that I have been fortunate to be included in two of my favorite pattern books ever, and GFKC is one of them. (The other is Boho Baby, which is bound to get heavy use this year.) I have wanted to make this baby sweater since I first spied it in Knit Cafe over four years ago. It' simply stunning in person and the unique construction makes it extra special. My love for this pattern is rivaled only by my love for Veronik Avery's Gansey Layette, which I have made three times (and will probably make again this year). I can't believe I didn't knit it earlier. Anyway, I am finally able to engross myself in knitting again, and that is a nice relief. I'm hoping that this little respite will allow me to return to my plans for a few other things on the needles. Some things will undoubtedly get pushed to the back-burner, because I have much more than usual in progress right now, but having tasted the fresh air again, I think I will be able to dive back into at least a few of those stalled projects. Thank goodness! Posted by Julia at January 23, 2008 12:25 PMIn greetings from knit cafe | judy's gram's baby sweater | kiddie knits | main | other people's kids | shooz (the knittin' kind) | spinning | spunky fiber club
Comments
I love that handspun, the colors are so happy and Party Dress is the perfect name! I agree that it would make a fun baby item - how about a tulip-like cardi - would the striping work out? And, I gave you one of those lovely make my day awards, I enjoy your blog and projects very much. Happy Friday! Posted by: mel at February 1, 2008 03:00 AMI would vote with diagonal scarves, or something feather/fan (not necessarily the chevron scarf). Or a baby sweater in garter or rib. Or mittens that are felted. Posted by: Laurie at January 30, 2008 03:22 AMUrchin! The hat that takes bulk! Or what about a neck warmer with a button? Or Calorimetry? Posted by: theLady at January 28, 2008 10:14 AMAnd, I think the handspun might work best for a garter stitch scarf - I know, not such fun to knit huh? Posted by: larissa at January 27, 2008 09:31 AMThat grandmother knitting is gorgeous. Oh, the smock coat! Posted by: larissa at January 27, 2008 09:29 AMDon't be so hard on yourself with regard to swatching your handspun. It really doesn't look that bad. I love it and I think it will make a perfect children's item of some kind. It reminds me of a very tasty candycane. I'm sure you will figure it out, just take your time and remember, enjoying it is what you are supposed to be doing, so if you aren't, then put it down and come back to it later. Posted by: Cathy at January 25, 2008 07:15 AMfor some knitting with handspun ideas go to flickr and look up Cubist Literature or check my contacts page on flickr (hannabirke) and find him there. he does scarves and fingerless gloves with his own handspun and it's cool stuff. sure to inspire you. and he uses what looks like chunky spun stuff. beautiful choice of yarn and color on the baby sweater. Posted by: michele at January 24, 2008 06:05 PMI totally heart that party dress yarn- I can't wait to see what you decide to turn it into! In the meantime, that baby sweater is going to be adorable! Yay for baby knits! Posted by: Nonnahs at January 24, 2008 11:30 AMhi julia! it's maurene from glendale :) i was just looking at your pretty photos from that snowy-mountain day we had in LA and you mentioned a good hiking trail. i'm always looking for good hikes here, so if you could send me some info on where you go, i'd really appreciate it! p.s. love that little baby sweater! Posted by: maurene at January 24, 2008 10:14 AMi love that baby sweater. i actually bought my book and the yarn at the knit cafe right before the beans' came to be, but never knit it because we found out it was boy twins and i did not know if the design and color i picked would suit little bruisers. i should consider it for my sister, she is expecting a girl soon. i think i have made you my knitting guru, i always seem to be following your lead. (just finished my endpapers, but have yet to block) (btw, i forgot to comment on that post, but i thought it was hilarious). Posted by: mamie at January 24, 2008 10:00 AMI just started a multi-directional scarf with my own handspun (same situation as yours - thick and thin, colors are amazing but couldn't be made into other types of things, esp. since the fiber is a blend of unknown mixes). It's loooking great! I'm using Karen Baumer's pattern, and finding it amazingly satisfying, especially since it's my first handspun. Posted by: Zanne at January 24, 2008 03:13 AMi think a baby hat and booties with the hand spun would be adorable. babies look great in party dress colors. ooh judy's grandmother's baby sweater is adorable..so many fun things to knit in the wee sizes. Posted by: kat at January 23, 2008 05:36 PMThe baby sweater is wonderful! I have no additional thoughts on the handspun - the idea of something that alters the striping makes sense to me. It is wonderful - I understand the block in coming up with what to do with it. Posted by: Jennifer at January 23, 2008 05:20 PMHappy belated birthday Julia! Snow is definitely one of the best gifts for a person born around the holidays. I absolutely loved your post about your grandma's knits and I'm now wondering if my own grandmother kept any of the things my great-grandmother made for me. How I would love to have them after all of these years. Posted by: Sharlyn at January 23, 2008 04:44 PMI'm not sure if your yarn would be too bulky, but I recently knit myself an entrelac headband out of a bright stripey yarn (based on Quant from Knitty, but with a few mods) and it's one of my favorite knit items ever. It's a small enough piece that the brightness isn't overwhelming, and entrelac is a great way to show off striped yarn, and just when you think you can't possibly knit another diamond, you're done! I am thinking something like an entrelac neck warmer, or EZ's mitered mittens, or a fun hat. About 180 yards, what about wrist warmers, hat and neck warmer, for a kid? Aran weight would keep someone cozy warm. The colors say non-serious outerwear, or at least to me. Posted by: PICAdrienne at January 23, 2008 03:06 PMYou always pick the sweetest little baby projects, in the most delightful yarns. There are going to be some lucky recipients in the somewhat near future. On that note, with your gorgeous handspun, why not a soft plushie toy. I know this is going to sound weird, but I think it'd make the cutest little psychedelic mushroom stuffie. I know, I know, weird. Babies don't do psychedelic. This is why I stick to dogs. A little short row style beach ball would be nice too. If that doesn't appeal to you, I think it'd make fantastic little mittens for a kid in a colder state. Posted by: Marnie at January 23, 2008 03:00 PMAw, Baby Komari!!! :) That makes me so happy. She's sweeter than ever! I heart auntiehood. Your funky yarn would make the yummiest, most cheerful, squishiest hat ever. Posted by: Mary-Heather at January 23, 2008 02:54 PM |
