EWETOPIA — New Yarn from Frog Tree Yarns

The yarn has been on special all week here at Summit Yarn Studio, regularly $8.50 a ball, it has been $6.50 a ball and will remain so through end of business day tomorrow at 2pm.  Ewetopia has received Cat Bordhi’s recommendations and after having worked with it in every color, I love this wonderful, lofty, sproingy yarn.  Another good name for this yarn would have been — Bounce — because it has so much life, bloom and drape.  The yarn is composed of two plies, one of extrafine merino (at the finest micrometer) and one of superwash extrafine merino — for the purpose that the two plies would take the dye color differently and create a marled yarn.  Some of the marls are more obvious than others and some of the colors have a resplendent mutable quality to them — they are different colors in different light — like the stone Alexandrite.

This is a simple afghan I am knitting using one block in every color (there are 18 colors in all) of this soft and pleasing yarn. As I knit the second strip, I am attaching it directly to the first by a sort of SSK through the back loop involving the new square and the Garter bump on the edge of the old square. I also cast on the second square connected to the first by drawing up my first stitch at the corner of the first old block and then doing a long tail cast on. Come to class if you are interested in learning sew-free techniques!

 

Everyone who has “met” this yarn has immediately wanted to do at least one sweater with it.  Robin has completed two out of three sweaters, Chris is nearly done with her first, Suzy purchased by Pink for a Pullover (ala Simple Summer Tweed by Heidi Kirrmaier — free on Ravelry), Barbara and Charlotte are both waiting for “The Angel”, my newest design and have their yarn tucked away.  Here are some photos:

Swatch by Chris for a sweater with eyelets in the Green Ewetopia.

 

Vee-Neck knit in the round by Robin using Ewetopia — a 43″ chest circumference took 12 balls.

 

Robin used the Simple Summer Tweed pattern without joining at the front to create a Cardigan in the Claret colored Ewetopia.

 

This is a close up of Red Ewetopia for a sweater called: “Shadow” ( also available on Ravelry ) being made by Chris.

 

This is “Warm Me UP”, a vest which can be worn three ways — as above, crossed at the front like a ballet sweater, or with one side (the cable — which runs up the back, over the shoulder and down the front) thrown over the opposite shoulder, like a shawl or Ruana. This pattern is available from Frog Tree Yarns and was designed by yours truly.

 

The sleeve of this sweater is knit in the DARKEST GREY of EWETOPIA and still the texture shows, even in not so great lighting. What appears to be a one stitch rib is much more, but all sucked in because this was obviously taken prior to blocking. The rest of this sweater can be seen in the Frog Tree Booth in Columbus at TNNA, or request the pattern called: “The Admiral”.

 

There are many other new designs available for EWETOPIA, all of which will be available at this June’s Columbus TNNA at the booth for Frog Tree Yarns.  The is the most popular new yarn here at Summit Yarn Studio.  If your LYS does not yet carry Frog Tree Yarns, a minimum order is just one bag of any of their wonderful yarns.  Bear in mind, this is a not-for-profit company, so purchasing their yarns does good on both your needles and in this world.

over and out for today, Mary Ellen and Summit Yarn

 

Studio Knits: The Angel

Yesterday I finished typing “The Angel”, a new pattern and new concept for how to knit a sweater.  Suzy has been kind enough to test knit and Frog Tree has accepted the pattern.  There is a second version in process with Elena test knitting that one.  Chris has also inspired yet a third version.  Basically, the concept of this sweater allows you to knit any shape sweater with PROPER ARMHOLES and with proper fit through the body.  I am nervous and hopeful about how this sweater will be received at yarn market, TNNA.

I am test knitting two sample of a vest by Lisa Ellis, called: Royal Cables in another yarn by Frog Tree, called: Meriboo.  This is a machine washable yarn that can function as either a DK weight yarn or (because of its wonderful loft) a light weight worsted yarn.  It is merino wool and bamboo and wonderful all over.  This is a fun pattern, and yes, I would tweak it if I were knitting it for myself — why not avoid sewing whenever possible?  However, the pattern is clear and well-written and without errors – so it gets a five needles UP review from me.

I will be open this Saturday from 10:15 to 2 pm and closed Sunday and Monday to spend some time with my family.  I look forward to seeing you Saturday, remember that is the last day for this week’s EWETOPIA special.  HAVE A relaxing Memorial Day weekend!

hugs and sunshine, Mary Ellen and Summit Yarn

 

The Questions We Ask

I am as guilty as the next person of this first one:  I spend money on a knitting book or magazine, find a pattern I want to knit and then there are errors.  After this past weekend of checking, double-checking, and triple-checking myself, I stand humbled and silent.  A company commissioned a man’s sweater — something knittable but noticeable — not too hard but with interest — the ever-elusive grey zone.  I did research, talked to men about their preferences (my husband was astonished at this as SOP in our house is when I want his opinion I will tell him what it is), looked at hundreds of men in sweaters on Flickr and elsewhere on the internet.  I went through all the Barbara Walker books contemplating stitch patterns.  I swatched.  I thought.  I rolled the idea of this sweater around in my head like I would roll a hard candy around in my mouth.  Then I knit the sweater.  Knitting the sweater was the easy part and took about ten days.

Typing the pattern took three days and twelve very intense hours of solitude.  The pattern is written for seven sizes, from a finished measurement of 34″ to one of 56″.  There are four different stitch patterns, three flowing one to the next on the torso up to the neck and a fourth from the cuff of the sleeve up to the neck (this is a saddle shoulder sweater).  Of course, I had insights along the way as I knit this sweater and unvented a new way to shape the neck — keeping all stitches live for the end to knit the collar.  I have a stack of papers filled with math, measurements, sketches and scribbles an inch high — all so the pattern could be precise.

The pattern is called: “The Admiral” and will be published by Frog Tree Yarns, my ever-beloved patron.  It is based on traditional men’s fishing Ganseys.  The whole point of the stitch patterning is to draw the eye of the beholder away from the wearer’s abdomen, up to the shoulders and face, while providing a simple easy masculine look — or slimming look for a women.  My husband modeled it unblocked for me and even said: “If you were to ever knit this for me, just two inches longer.”  Shocking.  The pattern will debut at the Columbus TNNA trade show along with the sweater, knit in EWETOPIA, Frog Tree’s newest scrumptious yarn.

I continue training for my Camino in September.  The lesson which has become most apparent to me is this:  our World only seems mundane.  We choose whether to make our days mundane or sacred…and every moment can be transformed with a deep breath and an attitude adjustment.

Netflix fans:  just finished watching the four episodes of “Grand Tour” — great documentary about architecture and history and more.  There is also an intense talk by Adam Savage on something called: TED talks, ancient facts…worth the 15 minute investment of time.

My prayers, Italy (and World) are with you.  May you find peace and safety — sooner.

Ramble Complete.

 

Today I Accomplished…

Today was a busy day. The studio had some lovely visitors and also inquiries about the spinning wheels we sell. I made major headway in the knitting of one new design and the details of a second…both of them sweaters.

At lunch I visited Molly at the post office and sent in my passport application. Then Brian and I had a great lunch break together. Gary got off work early and helped me do some initial fitting of my Camino backpack.

After work I made my daily pilgrimage to the gym, where I put 10 pounds inside said backpack, strapped it on and walked 3.22 miles on a treadmill set on level 5 on random hills. It was less bad than I thought it would be–I’m a knitter and a Mom, I guess I’m used to carrying stuff. Still I need to work the back pack weight up to about 25 pounds. So glad I am taking time to train before the trip.

This Lenten season passed by faster than ever and was incredibly fruitful for me on every level–physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. Of all the Christian Holy Seasons this has always been my favorite and remains so. I remain grateful for the priest who taught me that taking on something new was every bit as rewarding as giving up something known. Thirty years later I am still benefitting from his wisdom.

I wish you a peaceful and inner-directed day tomorrow.
with love and light,
Mary Ellen

 

Traveling Knitters/ Knitters Traveling

Whenever my family goes on a trip, I prepare a list of all the potential yarn stores we might “have” to check out, you know…to make sure my LYS remains up to current standards…purely investigative…no personal gain on my part…sure.  Most knitters are adventurous in this way.  It is like each new yarn store is another new mountain to climb or cave to speelunk (spelling? no idea).  Recently, we had a visit from two knitters on their way back from Stitches East, which was up in Connecticut.  Roberta called me from the road and we guided she and Connie in for a fun visit.

Connie, foreground, shares one of Roberta's creations (that's Bertie in the background)

 

It turns out Roberta is the bees knees at intarsia, and she creates one fun and beautiful item after another.  Here are a few pics of her work (I especially loved the spider on the Halloween bag):

intarsia spider!

 

wicked witch shoe

 

winking cat ;-D

 

I loved Connie's scarf...it is apparently a scarf on Ravelry -- String theory, I think -- it would also be FAUBLOUS in ribbon yarn!

What I loved best was, they went to Stitches with matching sweaters made by Roberta (Connie’s, in the photos below, had a blue background and Roberta’s had a purple background) and made quite the splash.  I am sure if you google this past event (it was in October) you will see photos of them…there or on Flickr.  The knitter on the sweater looks like the card character “Maxine”, but is not…this is an old British pattern.  Love It!

The Knitter's Sweater!

 

close-up view...how would you riff on this pattern?

 

I love to hear about your knitting travels.  We have several great yarn store locally as well and we really should all get together and organize a Yarn Crawl…Scranton, Pittston, Clarks Green and Mountaintop…sounds like a fun day!

Anyway, remember our YARN AND WINE TASTING THIS FRIDAY from 3-9pm with Eve Ellsworth and Schaefer Yarns and some delicious new surprises.  Next month there will be another event…a SAMPLE SALE AND CLEARANCE just for your last minute gift-giving needs…so stay tuned!

loads of love, light, and laughter always,

Mary Ellen and Summit Yarn Studio

 

 

TINA’S SWEATER Customer Projects SOCK SUMMIT 2011

This sweater, TINA’S SWEATER, is such a pleasurable knit and I highly recommend it to you all.  In just two days, I am about 18 rows away from finishing the first piece; a very quick and interesting knit.  The stitch pattern is easy to get in my memory but always check the beginning and ends of rows so the stitch count stays correct.  As always, with BMFA patterns, the pattern offers both written and charted options for the knitter IN COLOR and with perfect clarity.

this is the left back piece almost done...

 

a close-up view

 

Ardis finished her cotton summer sweater and found a beautiful clip earring to use as her closure!  Brilliant!

Ardis and her sweater...

Patty Mac stopped in for a visit and showed her newest Cat Bordhi Cowl.  Patty is calling it “Sharpei” because it looks like a Sharpei’s face!  The yarn is Times Remembered Alpaca (a company I adore and it will be at the NEPA fiber Festival this year so be sure to check them out…best alpaca prices there every year.)

Patty's Sharpei Cowl

And Miriam sent a photo of this week’s completed square, Arsenic and Old Lace Square #20: Lozenge Pattern:

Miriam's final square...YAY! GO NETHERLANDS!

 

And at Tunkhannock knitting group last night, Cecily modeled her finished hand-spun sweater and it is just amazing.  She spun a fine two-ply, held it doubled and knit the sweater on US10 needles:

Cecily and her sweater...just try getting her to stand still for a photo!

 

And the CUTENESS for today is my beloved Smidgen, who is nearly impossible to photograph well because she is all black.  Today she posed and was the beauty I know her to be:

Smidgen says: Good Morning!

 

Take care.  Keep your fingers crossed for me please.  Today is the last day for pattern submissions in the Design for Glory Contest for Sock Summit 2011.  I would be thrilled to just make it into one of the patterns that then gets voted on…will keep you posted.  Please go check out Sock Summit 2011…it is just two weeks away and I am so excited, I can hardly wait!

with love, laughter and light always,  Mary Ellen and Summit Yarn

p.s.– please friend me on Ravelry, I am “TheHumanLoom”  ;-D

 

 

Have I ever mentioned how much I love to knit? and Tina’s Sweater

My mother taught me how to knit when I was four years old.  She wanted to go to bowling league and I wanted something to do.  Having just adopted my first ever cat, Oliver (named after the movie, Oliver Twist)…I set out to knit him a blanket all his own.  Whenever Mom needed a baby present, I pitched in and helped by knitting the booties and bonnet while she powered through the sweater and blanket…back then a whole layette was given.  I was surrounded by an incredible tribe of women back then and I learned everything from them I could…especially when to keep my mouth shut and be invisible so I learn things they would rather I didn’t.

Then, as life went along, I wound up working mostly in a man’s world:  Asbestos Safety Inspector for NJ, secretary to my Dad, then medical school and residency.  During that period of my life it was harder to fit in with any tribe of women; women being fairly scarce as physicians, many nurses having a bit of disdain for docs (unless the doc was an eligible male), and the basic fact that women are just harder on women in the workplace.  It was a necessary education.

Now, I feel I have come back home to roost, thanks to the women who make Summit Yarn what it is, thanks to Tricia and Chet from Frog Tree Yarns, thanks to the women I count among my closest friends and thanks to the knitting/fiber community at large.  When I read Tina Newton’s most recent post, “Bobblicious”, I wept and smiled and loved every word.  Her blog, as I mentioned yesterday is at Blue Moon Fiber Arts and the latest blog refers to a sweater designed for Tina by my knitting Hero, Anna Zilboorg.  It wouldn’t have mattered really what the sweater looked like…it is the vibe of the whole thing that I wanted to wrap around my heart and body.  That kind of friendship, that kind of positivity and that kind of “impish” willingness to fully LIVE are all qualities I actively invite to be what comprises my life and the world around me.

This morning the pdf arrived and I did my spastic happy dance in the office at the studio!  The sweater is already on needles.  I would wax poetic about the bobbles, but Tina has already done that in spades.  However, she did not go on about the cuffs and edging which are sheer genius.  Here are photos of both sides of the fabric (I love both sides…and even tried to see if my husband would like the WS as much as I do but damn if he didn’t go for the right side!)

this is the right side of the edge and cuffs of the sweater, Tina's Sweater

 

this is the wrong side, which I like even more....for its simplicity I think

 

The pattern can be purchased as a pdf at the Blue Moon Fiber Arts website.  Go have a look around.  Tina Newton is a color genius and a poet.  When she writes from her heart…sheer poetry.  Her dyers notes are the main reason I subscribe to her sock club.  Those words inspire me and often help me pull myself up when all else fails.

Tina is in her fav color: green and Anna Zilboorg is in blue.

Last night we had our annual fireworks-in-the-driveway…Gary, Brian, Kathy, and me…and wine coolers.  It was just lovely.  I was a little worried about the trees and shrubs at the end of our driveway, but they do seem to have survived yet another year.  Here are the relevant photos:

Kathy...I bet she would be thrilled if I stopped snapping photos randomly!

 

Number One Son!

 

Today at the studio Brian and I spent some time in his beautiful garden and found three eggplants, multiple tomatoes and had to stake up the sunflowers.  It is amazing what can be done with just a tiny plot of ground!

Brian's Produce

 

I spent some time on the Heirloom Baby Blanket for Frog Tree Yarns, then Lisa dropped off some parts for the next sheep and now I am at work on the TinaSweater.  Later I have to put some more time in on the baby blanket…knitknitknit…here is what it looks like so far:

Heirloom Baby Blanket Pattern sample from Pediboo for Frog Tree Yarns

 

We had a mini-celebration:  Brian was admitted to Virtual Italian next year…very tough to get into this class.  Kudos to his instructional supervisor for pulling strings…she is nothing short of valiant!  And here is your daily dose of cuteness…Nikkers and I were having a million kisses and Gary snagged us:

with love, laughter and light always,

Mary Ellen and crew and Summit Yarn  ;-D

 

 

Arsenic and Old Lace KAL: Square #18

Still hard at work on the competition pattern so have not had time to reknit this square. However, it has been test knit and edited by the knitters of Summit Yarn and here it is:

This is a reversible knit/purl stitch pattern used in the 1800′s as an all-over pattern for knit socks. It is however, equally useful for a scarf, sweater, neck warmer or just about anything you can imagine. Have fun with this stitch and as soon as I have the square knit up I will post a photo and update this pattern with a photo.

The Omigami Heart Tribe had its weekly meeting this morning. Three of us are nearly done with a new cotton summer sweater and they are looking awesome. Here are photos:

Debbie has completed the body of her sweater and began the sleeves today.

Ardis and Lourdes are working on the yokes of their sweaters.

We had thunder storms roll through our area last night and the cats were all on “weird” from the time we came home. Sputters kept staring at I don’t know what and Nikkers spent most of the night pacing up and down the bed.

You can see Sputters is having a case of the weirds with the oncoming electrical storms.

This is what I woke up to this morning: Nikkers was just worn out by staying up all night. Poor baby.

Take care and I’m going back to my many design projects and maybe just a little sleep. I did get to the gym today and put in four miles on the treadmill…YAY!

with love, laughter and light,

Mary Ellen and Summit Yarn ;-D