stitch ya neck out: November 2005

Wednesday, November 30, 2005

I'm late, I'm late

I'm still plugging away on Forbes Forest for my dear exchange partner. I feel terrible that it's taking me so long to finish.
The light is at the end of the tunnel and I can see it. I am into the last ball of yarn and should DEFINITELY be able to finish in time for her to have it as a christmas present.
I just need to make sure it gets brought along with me even when bringing it will make me need to pack a bigger bag. That's the real problem currently, it no longer fits in my purse.
It's been a wonderful pattern to work and the yarn a joy to knit with... If only I had more time to knit.

posted by Bethieee @ 9:16 pm   0 comments

Pinku Rocks Turtle Neck Shrug for Twiss

It was a gloomy day but the snow was drifting down to the ground and it was the first of the season. I had the day off, working in my studio at home and I could have stayed in my pajamas all day long, but I had a parcel at the post office to pick up. I decided I would reward myself for working so hard and go out for some fresh air and see what awaited me.

It was perfect! A light box I brought back home and unpacked to reveal this:

Inside that pretty bag, hand stitched with fabric fishes dangling from a pocket contained my Turtleneck Shrug that Pinku knit. Also in the parcel are beautiful vintage Kimono fabrics. Those Japanese are lovely textile designers and I get so much pleasure looking and touching and admiring these fabrics.

Thank you Kat for knitting my shrug for me. It is the best item in my wardrobe this season! Thanks for the treats too, oh and the wee card is a nice touch.

Here is my friend Tatiana wearing the TNS. She is a gorgeous girl and a great model. She went out of her mind when she saw me in this and needed to try it on. I wear it at work often and people always ask me about it.


A great comment I've heard, "Hey Twiss, was it the tenth of a sweater you were wearing or the fire the other night that made me hot?" I really didn't know what to say, except to all you galls, "Hooray for the shrug!"

I had such a great time participating in this swap. Necking with friends all over the world was fun.

Great thanks goes out to Jacqueline, Serendipitous knitter slash Melbourne landmark informant and Kris, s t r i k k e r slash r o c k i n ' r o c k e r .

edited: Dec 1

posted by Twiss And Weber @ 3:52 pm   1 comments

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

vintage velvet on the road



Finally, a photo of Vintage Velvet, as knit for me by Kiri. Here I am, finally having gotten my husband to take a take a (barely) daylight photo, outside of Marfa, Texas... where it's actually cold enough to wear handknits.

I LOVE this scarf. It is perfectly knit, supersoft, and even a little sophisticated. The name Touch Me is accurate... everyone wants to pet this scarf.

Kiri was also generous enough to send along some sari silk yarn and some corn silk (ingeo) yarn. Who knew they made yarn out of corn silk? Well, I'm sure a lot of people, but not me. Ha.

Thank you Kiri! And thanks to Jacqueline and Kris for organizing this swap. It's been hard to explain to non-knitters ("you're knitting a scarf for a stranger?"), but it's been pure knit-geek fun.

posted by gina @ 2:13 am   2 comments

Monday, November 28, 2005

Here and There Cables has arrived

... and I love it! The yarn has turned into a yummy thick fabric, just perfect - all the scarves I have are really lightweight. And it's not scratchy at all, Mary! Thank you so much!! It's a pattern I didn't dare try myself, I'm thrilled that you made it for me :-)




(Miserable weather here ...)

The fabric is like a heavy, dense tweed or something, and I love the colours :-)



If I knew that the scarf I made for Leanne has arrived as well, I'd be really happy - I'm a bit worried it might have disapparead in the mail :-( I sent it out on 26 October, and I haven't heard from Leanne at all. She hasn't replied to my email yet either. Is anyone in touch with her?

posted by T. @ 3:41 pm   3 comments

Thursday, November 24, 2005

All Done

Here & There Cables is finished, blocked and on its way to Tatjana. The dull, grey weather doesn't make for the best photos, but this should give you some idea of the finished product.



I found the yarn a little scratchy to knit with and was worried it might not be too comfortable for a scarf but after a Eucalan bath it has softened nicely. The pattern is great to knit - easy to memorise and a very nice texture. I hope you like the finished product Tatjana.

A big thank you to Kris and Jacqueline for organising such a fun swap. Here's hoping for round 2 next year.

posted by Mary @ 9:45 am   0 comments

Finally!

It's done. Midwest Moonlight for Rosa.





I hope you like it Rosa.

Thanks to Jac and Kris for organising a fab swap.

posted by nikkishell @ 6:06 am   0 comments

Thursday, November 17, 2005

Backyard leaves!


Backyard leaves arrived last week from Carolyn - here's the proof (please ignore my shiny face and messy room) It would have made plenty of outings had the weather not decided to do "summer in November." The detail on this scarf is beautiful, and Carolyn did a great job on it. Thanks so much!

posted by K8 @ 12:02 pm   0 comments

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Forbes Forest--fini!

[no title]

After weeks of squeezing every possible knitting minute out of every possible day, Miri's Forbes Forest came out complete this past weekend. I wasn't sure I was ever going to see the end of this scarf, but to no avail, billions of bobbles, cables, and popcorn stitches came together here to make this scarf complete. 

 
After a long haul--Forbes Forest is complete

I wasn't convinced at first.  The cables and bobbles looked weak when I started in, and I wondered if alpaca could do this pattern justice.  But, as I worked through and gave it a test block with some steam, the stitches opened up, and the pattern bloomed  through to the end. 

Without a doubt, this is a scarf I would have never picked myself.  Before this swap, I'd not even remotely considered making this scarf, not even for a second.  But, now that I've made it, and I see first-hand what this pattern's got to offer, for sure I'd make it again.  I'm even considering one for myself. 

 
Forbes Forest in Blue Sky Alpaca

The Forbes Forest pattern is genius, and kept me interested right to the end.  Casting off was bittersweet; happy to be finished, and sad to say goodbye to the pattern.  I already miss working on this, and am sad to see it go.

Miri, I hope this scarf finds you well, it's certainly cold enough in these parts for this super warm scarf.  It should arrive with you shortly! Loads of thanks to Kris and Jacqueline for hosting the SYNO swap--great idea, fabulous hosts!

posted by Anna @ 1:40 am   0 comments

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

No pictures, just an update!

Just an update for Carolyn since I'm running behind on completing her capelet! The knitting is all finished, I'm on to the last bits (involving crocheting around the edges and completing the ties). It does need some blocking, so that will come next, then it will be off and in the post, winging it's way to you. My apologies for this taking so long - believe me that was not my plan. Thanks for your patience - and a big thanks to our swap hostesses, because it's been such fun!

Miri

posted by JinxedMinx @ 4:15 am   0 comments

Saturday, November 05, 2005

Velvety Goodness

Here's a sneak preview, Gina:
I was trying to make an artsy shot there - no dice. ;)

Here it is closeup:
Finished dimensions: 5" wide by 67" long
It looked very pretty before felting and I was worried that the hot water technique in the book might be too much for it, but it worked out very well and V V is softer than ever... Hope you enjoy it, Gina! My apologies for taking a little longer to finish it up.

posted by Kiri @ 5:18 am   1 comments

Red ruffles!!

Guess who arrived yesterday!? Red ruffles from New York City - just between you and me she's been bragging about the knitty cruise in NYC ever since she got here. I must admit though she's really beautiful.



Cassie you did a fantastic job with the Manos Cotton Stria. I loved the colour when I bought it but I love it even more now. I was really worried about the flimsy-ness of the yarn, but the ruffles are exquisite.




Thanks to Jac and Kris for organizing such a clever swap - it really is amazing as a knitter to recieve a hand-knitted piece from the other side of the world.

ps To Miss Twiss - your turtleneck shrug is in the box to be sent out Monday. I can't believe that I finished the knitting so long ago but never managed to get it in the mail. Big slap on the wrist for me!

pps You can't tell but I had just had my last wisdom tooth pulled out (seriously like half an hour earlier) in that photo. Actually it has started to ache as I type. Off to down some painkillers!!

posted by kat @ 2:34 am   1 comments

Thursday, November 03, 2005

Thank you Alana!

I received my Midwest Moonlight yesterday but for some reason hotlinking to my pictures wasn't working then. Let's try again because Alana did such a beautiful job on it!





Neither of these quite capture the yarn's goodness, or just how nicely the stitch pattern highlights the colors. It's Tintagel Farms yarn in color "Forest Floor" which I believe is only sold at fiber festivals.

Alana of course included a wonderful note, treats, and even a hat for our baby who is due next spring. More details here.

I love my SYNO scarf! Thanks again to Alana, and loads of thanks to the organizers too.

posted by Heidi @ 8:21 pm   0 comments