January 10, 2012
Updated Knit-A-Long and Crochet-A-Long Projects
Though you cannot see the patterns well, here is a photo of both the KAL: Grandma’s Garden Afghan and the CAL: Take A Journey Afghan. If you look carefully at the KAL you can even see a teaser for something I will post later this week. For your patterns just go to the appropriate page above and your pattern link is there. Have fun and let me know how it is going!
with love, light and laughter, Mary Ellen and menagerie! ;-D
March 1, 2011
Mitten knit from undyed silk Mawata on US2 (2.75mm) needles.
This is a version of my basic mitten pattern scaled to sock-weight yarn. There are three sizes, from women’s small to a large hand (like my husband — who by the way is never going to wear silk mawata mittens). There is a wonderful rhythm to drafting the roving and knitting the pieces with that silk. This is one of my favorite selfish knitting projects now.
Mawata Mittens Just click on those two highlighted words and the pdf will open for you and your knitting pleasure. Remember this is a basic pattern, so tweak at will…change the cuff, maybe add a cable or some other stitch pattern. Always send photos so this pattern sharing is a conversation and we all get to benefit from each other’s artistic vision.
Take care and get2ntn!xox Mary Ellen and Summit Yarn Studio
February 16, 2011
Square #6: Pennant Pattern
This week’s square is a very highly textured knit/purl square; of which, there will be three in this strip, and two lace squares. This was originally used as a stitch pattern for a man’s stocking. I would like to use this in a sock myself but add purl stitches between each “pennant” to make this into a rib, which has a better fit no matter the recipient. This is quick and easy to knit.
Picture of this week's Square to show some of the texture of this stitch pattern.
Remember, these stitches are written for right side/wrong side knitting, and can easily be adapted to become a scarf, cowl, sweater, hat or anything you might care to invent. Have fun with this and please do send photos so I can share this journey with you! xox Mary Ellen
Lisa came in today to join in the Mawata fest that Donna also began yesterday. Lisa was able right away to find that little place on the hankie where it looks like the moth may have left off spinning the cocoon and since she is a spinner, she got right down to work!
Lisa drafting silk roving to cast on and knit her mitten.
Unlike many of the videos on YouTube, we have been drafting the fiber as we go. Donna tried predrafting a whole hankie before knitting and it was a challenge. We all three found drafting against the knitting needle much easier and lots of fun. Lisa had a great time this afternoon working on the cuff of her mitten. Thanks to Lisa, I have written up my mitten pattern and will type and put it up here for your use. We have also started pondering the possiblities knitting with roving opens up. Lisa and I had slated our Blue Moon Mawata for mittens, but now find ourselves wondering if a scarf wouldn’t be nicer and more wearable with Spring really just around the corner. Of course, that also might entail ordering another pair of Stilletto Point Signature Needles so the project could really be done properly. I’m just thinking out loud.
Lisa during her private lesson today hard at work on her Mawata mitten! ;-D
Take care and have a great week of knitting. More tomorrow and just an FYI: it would seem the FULL MOON is blooming this week. Keep your head down and eyes averted. It is already looking ugly. xox TheHumanLoom and Summit Yarn Studio
February 9, 2011
Trellis Shell Insertion/Insertion #1 of 3 for Arsenic and Old Lace KAL
This week’s pattern is written as an insertion and the stitch dates from the late 1800’s. It is a classic stitch that relates directly to shell stitch as well as to the Estonian Twig Pattern. It’s visual interest comes from delayed decreases…where the increases (in this case yarnovers) and decreases (SSK’s and K2tog’s) are not right next to each other. Instead the decrease is several stitches away creating a bias (or lean/tilt) in the fabric. My mother created a whole afghan out of this stitch in the ’70’s. The insertion is knitted directly onto the first of the four strips of squares which comprise this afghan. The pattern can easily be adapted with some extra side stitches, into a scarf or shawl…or just about anything you can imagine.
Have a lovely knit and please send pictures so I can share in this journey with you. Thank you for knitting along with me!
An aside: Martha and I went to see “The King’s Speech” last night. It was a splendid movie. A movie like the movies I used to watch all huddled on the couch on a rainy Sunday afternoon. It actually told a story. I loved the story. The costumes were just right. The way the movie was filmed was thought-full. Even the fonts used to describe the scenes, time, place were in tune with a certain “vibe” (if you will). From start to finish, the movie set me at ease in its telling of its story. Even though there is use of profane words, the use had its place…it was not random cussing but used as a means of obtaining verbal fluency. The movie exemplified a MODEL of Human Perseverance and I whole-heartedly applaud the movie, its creators and the actors who so wonderfully told the story.
Take care. Keep Calm and Knit ON. With love, light and laughter always,
Mary Ellen aka TheHumanLoom and Summit Yarn Studio
Will Work For Yarn 