Tangled Fields of Glory

I can't begin to tell you how Cheshire Cat satisfied I am. This is a helluva way to mark my one year knitting anniversary! Here are the details: Pattern, as if you didn't know - Tangled Yoke Cardigan from Interweave Knits Fall '07. Yarn - Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool color 44 from Webs, 6 balls and a smidgen of the 7th. Needle, #8 Addi Turbo. Size 38 and I am a 40 bust (no one ever tells you that. I sure wish people told you that so you could see if you like the fit compared to your own bod. I am "strong woman to pull plow". You can plainly see that. Why hide it?).



Here's me looking all satisfied. By the way, how'd you like the high art fashion shoot that I opened the post with? DH is getting more creative with the camera...



I love the way the yoke looks and how it goes all the way around. Some people have posted of problems in keeping track of their place in this loooooong cable. I did this by using stitch markers when possible (not always practical due to the K2togs) and really knowing my stitch structure one row down. Not a blip on this cable - but I didn't go fast, either.



Garter ribbing on the sleeves and the waist - looks really nice, but is almost the opposite of pulling in for shaping. It actually flares out at the ends, giving a bit of a bell shape to the sleeves and a flare at the waist. I think it looks nice, but was certainly unexpected.



Here's the folded over neckline and button band detail. I love the delicate way the neck presents and the folding over gives heft and structure. I almost wonder if you couldn't do the same thing for the button band. A little heft would help it from pooching out between the buttons...



The folded neckline was bound off using the 3 needle bind off method. I felt like a true professional with such an elegant finishing.



Cute buttons, eh? I only had 6 but figured I would never button the top anyway. I'm rather surprised the the control freaky type A monster in me is ok with this, but I ain't gonna question it.

My other life...

I have a new obsession. Shh, don't tell.

In my other life I am a Realtor. Not a "boring, dry as toast, manipulate every conversation for my own monetary gain while shedding dandruff all over the table" sort of Realtor (ewe, I just grossed myself out), but a I do make a living outside the fiber arts.

This blogging thing is very cool, so I thought - "How can I be amusing and still make money?" Bingo - start a Real Estate blog. I had Jon Symons of Ninja Blog set me up - (www.ninjablogsetup.com - he does an amazing wordpress set up for FREE!!!) and I was off and running. Take a look! www.KendylsOpenHouse.com. Anyway, that has consumed most of my blogging time.

So, let's catch up. First - and arguably most important - I finally got a swift! Why, oh why did I wait so long? This is just about the coolest toy ever. Here's a pic of a very happy me winding yet another hank of Silky wool. Since I can't stay away from all the cool yarn on the web, I needed one of these puppies. I just didn't expect it to be so humongous (the swift, silly. Not the web).


So, what is all that luscious Silky Wool for? Ah, the Tangled Fields of Gold aka Tangled Yoke Cardigan by Eunny Jang. I am in total lust with this yarn. The color, the texture, the smooth way it knits up. Pure. Love.

However, the pattern is a bit problematic for the novice. I feel somewhat sacrilegious in criticizing Eunny - but there is an error in the increase section for the body and the directions for joining the sleeves are less than clear. And then there are the 2 completely useless markers one stitch from each edge. Huh? Isn't there enough to worry about without messing with a stitch marker flopping about and threatening to fall off each row turn? Those little ##$@^$^ fell off one to many times and I got rid of them. So there.

Erm... I must be close to that time of the month. Except - I don't do that anymore! Guess I'm just a bitch.

But... isn't she lovely? I am 20 rows away from the yoke. I can't wait, but I am a tad fearful. Will Eunny flummox me again? we shall see....


Next up is Ene's scarf. This is what the hand dyed yarn I made is turning into. It might have wanted to be a Muir, but I wanted a triangle, so there. I was a little concerned when an experienced knitter (you know who you are, girl) said - ooh, I'm scared of that pattern. Crikey! What's going to happen to me? I'll tell you what, first there is blissful arrogance at how easy this is and then **Whamo** Chart 3 kicks in. I am making slow progress to be sure. I am loving every moment of this tangled puzzle (where I seriously question my ability to count past 100 and consider hiring a 3 year old to count for me) and I now understand the allure of knitting lace.

Last up is my MIL's Christmas present - sh, don't tell, again! These lovelies are made with the ridiculously luxurious Fiesta Kokopelli and Water mark. With mohair and wool these puppies will be like wearing clouds. Warm clouds. Since she is Sainted MIL, the luxury is well worth it! After I felt them I think I will do a simple embellishment with a geometric embroidery. Or not.

The Lady, She is DONE!

Oh, Happy Day! While I enjoyed every moment with my Lady Eleanor Shawl (from Interweave Press, "Scarf Style"), I am so happy to have her to wear and to hold and to fondle. She is everything I had hoped for - dramatic, classy, warm, soft and a true statement piece. That statement is, "I have arrived and I am a knitter - got a problem with that, punk?"

The fringe is outta control cool. The diamonds that the knots form, perfectly echos the diamonds created by the entrelac pattern. Whoever dreamed up this pattern is absolutely brilliant. The book suggests thick tassels as an alternative to the fringe. I think that idea is hogwash and should be ignored completely. The ache in my back from hunching over these endless knots was totally worth it!

I think I should get some outrageous fused glass shawl pin - wouldn't that be glamorous? Or maybe too much.... hum.

This is me trying on my best cool and glamorous expression. I plan to adopt this facial expression when I, someday, travel to New York wearing this shawl. Can't you see me as the hip urbanite having an espresso at a sidewalk cafe or some such?

Stats: Noro #243, 10 skeins plus just a few yards extra. #10.5 Denise needles. Started in June and finished in September (My longest knit, ever!)

The Lady E has consumed most of my knitting time the last week and half or so. I have made a bit of progress on the Tangled Fields of Gold, though. The garter ribbing was a bit tricksy for me. I kept making mistakes and froggin back half rows and even an occasional whole row. We are at the stockinette/increase portion now and things are going smoothly and a lot faster. I can't wait for the joining of the sleeves (already done, yea!) and all that fascinating new stuff (new for me, anyway). I've been reading ahead in the pattern and there are quite a few things I can't visualize. I am trusting that all will become clear when I get there.

It's My Birthday!

Just a quick little post to say Happy Birthday to me, yea!

I can honestly say that I am very happy with my age - and there aren't too many mid 40's women who will say that. But I know these are the power years, baby!

Gratuitous pic- Some birthday yarn that will someday become a U-Neck School Vest (Thanks, Liza!) And we got the sleeves done on the Tangled Fields of Gold







I'm off to dinner at Canele's in Atwater. That place is off the hook!

Canale Review

Ciao or Chow!

My First True Blog Post

I am never one to turn away from the tide of the lemmings. I delude myself, now and again, into believing that I am independent thinker, forging a new and exciting direction that will lead to no less than peace and prosperity in the Middle East.... and then I knit a caliometry - just because everyone else is doing one.

I create this blog because is efficient - record it once, document it once, link to it a thousand times. (linking to a thousand boards - no wonder I knit so slow!) I like to write and I think it might be instructive to refer back to where I have been.

Eh, voila! This is what I am thinking and knitting right now.

First, I received my very first shipment from WEBS. I have so much guilt over not getting more wool from my LYS - but who can turn down Silky Wool at these prices? I admit it. I am a yarn whore. Or very Chinesey, take your pick. So, this gorgeous stuff:












will someday be this:

On the lemmings note I am knitting coachella from knitty. In my defense, I had this amazing Bamboo from Suss that was begging for a project just like this - flowing, drapey and a tad incendiary. I name this the Silver Slink. This is going like crazy on my #9 Audi Naturals. Here where we are on day 3

I am holding a double strand of this shimmery dk weight stuff together. I got stitch gauge, but not row gauge, so I am trying to be mindful of these consequences. So far, so good. I am knitting size small that should fit to a 36 and I am a 40, due to many suggestions out in web land. When I tried it on it seems to fit great - just a smidge too low, but I think I can live with it.

Last, I got some work done on my beloved Lady E. (Lady Eleanore from Scarf Style) She is slow going, but steady. I love the colors, the texture, the mindfulness of the small squares and the constant surprise of the next color. What a wonderful mosaic is unfolding! Lady E is my meditation and my calm. She is the project I can go to for instant gratification of a small square done and the never ending wonderment that an object so beautiful and artful can come from my
fingers.