UGLY SWEATER

Yes its supposed to be Ugly.

The man that this is for is tall and has a beard.
we joked about this a couple times this year...and now it is here.

So in Red Heart yarns, I am doing my best to make a Christmas themed UGLY sweater,  a Cross between the Grinch or DR Suess-like colors and hideous style.  It is supposed to be big enough to fit me, so it will be too small for the partygoer.  Anyway here is the beginning of UGLY 2013.

What kind of research?

The kind that requires a knitters unique view.  For instance I like to imagine what would have motivated an individual to creat a certain type of knitting pattern during a particular moment in history. Many social and economic as well as cultural factors have influenced the historical patterns we are familiar with Fair Isle, Aran, Orenburg, Scandanavian, etc.  Events in our American History - The Revolutionary War, US Civil War,the Great Depression, migration across the US during the expansion period, Knitting for soldiers in WWI, WWII are all types of motivating events in certain points in time. What tpe of yarn was available, what type of garment was knit? What advantages did a certain fiber have over another and what caused the advantage?  So I free write about much of this. ...just a hobby hoping to turn into an article, short story or better.  I am a huge fan of Piecework Magazine, particularly Nancy Bush. I admire her aventurous spirit.

I welcome any comments or stories that you might have about expansionism knitting. Did your great grandmother knit on the way to the Oklahoma territory? What about knitters of the Gold Rush? The Railroad, the trading posts?

unfinished projects--for now :)

So what do I have on the needles that need to be finished?
Well, here are a few photos.  While I am at it, I am realizing that I should add to my list a digital photography class.  I always see great knitting photos in blogs and I just have never had great luck with this! Anyway here is the list for right now:

Swallowtail Shawl http://www.evelynclarkdesigns.com/pdf/Swallowtail.pdf

I started this in late September, several times over until I got the hang of the first repeat.  I set it aside once I finished the budding lace repeat, then have picked it back up and little by little am now working through the lilly of the valley border row 9 of 21, then 18 rows follow that to finish...........8211 stitches left.  Target Finish is 12 December.

 It is a very wonderful pattern to read and to work, just very time consuming.  I chose to use a one ply wool lace weight I found in Yarn Charm (trust me the website doesn't do it justice. Definately prefer this shop over others in the local area!) made by Malibrigo in fall colors.  The yarn was very reasonably priced and is so soft! I am taking my time so not to mess up this close to the end! I am on row two rows a day on this one.  I can't wait to block it out!! It is a gift for a courageous co-worker. 

 

Mary Maxim Christmas Kitty Stocking

This is also for a coworker who asked me if I knit.  I told her I love to and she showed me her stockings that her famil had.  I brought in the stockings my family has. Voila  we had the same stockings and neither were purchased from the same place so I told her I thought I could make one for her little girl. She found a picture of the Christmas kitty stocking and I charted it out based on the stocking I already have. Finally after an exhautive search i finally foud the Mary Maxim patterns, which is where the Santa and Mrs. Claus stockings we all have originate from.  So this is projected to be complete this week and I am thrilled with the way it is turning out!

 

 

FROGGING

I hate to say it, but these have been good projects that I just don't think will ever get finished. Aran#1 and Aran #2, I am seeing more and more how many obvious mistakes are in there. I would rather start over!!!

 

 Then there are the machines

Passap Duo 80#1-

working Foldi's Frost Flower Lace Shawl.....started last year, still hanging on Duo#1. at the end of row 369.

Passap Duo 80 #2-

 working various color swatches - curved cam needs replaced so I can start using the color changer again with the motor. 

Elna EK 2300 -

Ugly Sweater for a friend- just beginning If anone has a toyota 650 manual they would like to scan for me that would be wonderful!  I am self taught on these (ELNA) machines, and it is slow going.

Elna EK 2400-

Maintenance issue. Need help with this. It has started recently jamming in the center, no matter what I am trying to knit. I think the cams have become misaligned or something. Not sure.