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The Very Last First Time

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Somehow it’s become the middle of January, and I’m not quite sure how that happened!  It’s cold and rainy out today (as it seems to the the majority of the winter in the South), and it’s got me thinking
about a winter-themed book I loved as a child.

The book is not my own; I perhaps only read it a handful of times, as my first grade teacher had the book in her library.  But the concept and drawings stamped themselves on my memory.  The book is called Very Last First Time and is the story about a young Inuit girl named Eva.  Eva and her mother are going to the ocean.  They live in an area where the top of the ocean freezes during the winter, and at low tide a person can go under the ice and collect muscles and other seafood for eating.  This is her first time going under the ice alone.

Very Last First Time is a story full of wonder as Eva and the reader see wondrous and strange sights below the ice become something happens, and Eva must problem solve to get safely to her mother.

I love this story for so many reasons: it’s the story of an adult allowing a child independence so they can explore and problem solve themselves.  It’s a story of a very different way of life, and of things many people might not get to experience.  And it’s a story of first times and last times – and how things will never quite be like the very first time you do something, when it is all wondrous and new.

That tension between first and last times is why the story has stuck in my mind all these years (that, and the idea of being able to go beneath the surface of the ocean), and why I still think about it today.

So much of my work is helping people with their first times: their first time knitting, or crocheting, or learning a new skill.  I get to watch people’s faces light up with wonder as they master their first time, and as their first time transforms into their seventh and twelfth and twentieth, and the things which once were new become familiar.

This year is looking to be the year of many firsts – some I’ll be able to talk about soon, and some which will have to stay in my back pocket for a few more months.

Do you have a favorite book from childhood?

4 Ways to Warm Up Your Socks

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Like many people in the US today, I’m huddled indoors trying to stay away from the oppressive cold.  Now, living in VA, I know I don’t have it nearly as bad as my family that live up north.  Still, generally houses up north are better insulated than the lovely old home Mr. Turtle and I rent.  This morning, despite the heater’s efforts, I couldn’t get the upstairs above 62 degrees.  Now, with the space heater running and the sun finally shining in the front windows, I’ve gotten the upstairs to a balmy 68 degrees.  I’m still wearing a hat and long underwear today, though.  And my warmest pair of handknit socks.

Which brings me to a question an old friend and student, Holly, wrote to me just yesterday.  She asked,

I’ve knitted a few pairs of socks and really enjoy the technique. When I’ve worn them, they don’t keep my feet warm. My feet are cold all the time. I’ve spoken to other sock knitters and no one seems to have an answer or solution for me. In order for me to wear my lovely hand knitted socks, I have to still wear a “commercial cotton” sock under them and I think that defeats the purpose of making and wearing the hand knitted socks.

I thought this was an interesting question, because I have a mild form of Raynaud’s, which means I have to be diligent about keeping my hands and feet warm.  I know exactly what Holly means when only one pair of socks is not enough!

(As a side note, I’m not up to addressing issues of hand/feet being cold for reasons other than the socks not being up to the job.  If you have circulation issues, or simply have sweaty feet [damp=cold], I can’t help you.  When I went winter camping, we had a good rule: if you’re cold when you go into your sleeping bag, all you’re going to do is be cold in your sleeping bag.  The bag insulates you, which means any cold that’s in the bag with you?  Will stay there.  Same things with hands/feet.  If you put cold feet into a pair of socks, they’re still going to be cold.)

I thought it would be helpful to outline and expand my reply to Holly.

When it comes to hand-knit socks being warm enough, there’s a few different strategies and things I would look at to determine the cause of the socks being too cold.

1. First, I would check the gauge of the sock.  A lot of patterns are written for a sock to be made in sock weight yarn at 8-8.5 sts per inch (sts/in).  For me, that is much too loose of gauge with a sock weight yarn.  Normally, with sock weight yarn, I’m working my socks at 9.25-10 sts/in, depending on how lofty the yarn is.  Socks that are knit at a tighter gauge hold of to wear and tear longer.  More importantly, they close the “holes” between the stitches, keeping the cold on the outside and the warm on the inside.  If you somehow can’t reach a dense gauge in sock weight yarn (which for some people can be hard), think about sizing up the yarn you’re using.  Which brings me to my next point….


2. Look at using a denser gauge yarn – that is, a heavier weight.  Sometimes sock weight yarn isn’t thick enough to insulate your feet.  When it’s wintertime, many people wear thicker socks – so it doesn’t hurt to have some thicker handknit socks too.  Mr. Turtle’s two favorite pairs of handknit socks are made in a superwash wool and nylon blend.  One of them is made with a DK weight yarn, the other is made with a light worsted yarn.  Both of them are closer to hiking socks than anything else.  Thicker yarn means the fabric will be thicker, which means there’s a larger layer between you and the world.  It insulates you more.

3. Speaking of insulation, take a look at what the yarns the socks you are making are made of.  I’ve talked before about how important fiber content in yarn is to the finished project, and this is especially true when you need something warm. You may want to look at yarns that have some cashmere, mohair, angora or mohair blended with them.  The 5-15% of a warmer fiber can make a big difference.  I love Mountain Color’s Bearfoot, which has 60 % Wash wool, 25% Mohair, 15% Nylon.  I think it’s the perfect blend of warm and durable – the nylon and the mohair make a big difference.  My mother, when I made a pair, put them on and went “Oh, they’re warm.”  She kept those, I made another pair for myself.  Often, warmer fibers like those stated above can be a bit more delicate (with the exception of some mohairs), so make sure there’s some nylon blended in, both for durability and to prevent felting.

4. My final solution would be to look at the type of patterns you work on your socks.  Lacework, obviously, is going to be less warm.  You’re adding holes to the work!  Stranded colorwork (or some slip stitch patterns), are your best bet for a warmer fabric.  Stranded colorwork makes two layers of fabric: the stockinette layer, and the layer that’s in the back, where the yarns are floating.  If you keep the floats short (under ½”), you can get a very dense fabric.  You sacrifice some flexibility, but the socks end up being quite a bit warmer.

Love socks? Check out my sock patterns on Ravelry!

Marlinspike Seamanship – A Sailor’s Craft

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Marlinspike. [mar-lin-spyk] noun: the tool utilized by a sailor to manipulate rope for splicing ropes and working out touch knots.

Marlinspike seamanship is a catch-phrase for a level of proficiency a sailor has achieved in knowing their knots, splices, and uses of various lines, traditionally on a sailing vessel.  By utilizing these techniques, skilled sailors are able to transcend the operational use of their lines, and generate beautiful knotwork that can be both functional and art.

With a strong sailing background, marlinspike seamanship was a craft in which I have dabbled in on and off for many years now.  While nowhere near the level of proficiency of experts in the craft like Des Pawson, I’ve crafted a variety of items like door mats/block mats, and smaller knick knack crafts.  As an art, I’ve found that this type of use of rope is in many ways similar to that of crochet: the marlinspike is akin to a crochet hook, and you only have one running piece of line while you’re creating the item.  Unlike crochet, however, many of these ropework patters are planned out from start to finish before you even start, as they are worked from the end of the rope, in a way more like weaving as the rope is threaded over and under and around itself.


As a craft which as been around in its’ traditional form for centuries, there are any number of resources available to the budding seaman, from the lore of weathered sailors on vessels in a marina, to countless websites available in the craft.  There are also a good number of well written books that are worth checking our or purchasing as well.  Two that I highly recommend are written by Harvey Garrett Smith: The Marlinspike Sailor and The Arts of the Sailor: Knotting, Spicing and Ropework.  In Sailor, Smith provides plenty of detailed, full-page diagrams for complicated knots, splices, and patterns, and easily outlines the movements of the sometimes plethora of lines that are required to turn a jumbled mass of hemp into a beautiful finished product.  In Arts, Smith weaves a tale of how practical elements of knotwork on a sailing vessel because the decorative elements we see today, interspersing the story with diagrams, tips, and patterns for making some of the items he refers to.

Not commonly thought of in the fiber arts community, marlinspike seamanship is an age-old tradition with many parallels in history to it’s more domestic peers of knit, crochet, and weaving.  Certainly a facet of crafting worth exploring for it’s own beauty.

Last Pattern of the New Year; Sneak Peek at 2015 Suprpries

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Lights Burn Blue

As the last days are rolling out of this year, I’ve got one last pattern to celebrate the New Year.  Lights Burn Blue is a mitten pattern with a buttoned cuff.  Wear the cuff up to keep out the cold, or wear it
down for a more fashionable statement.

Lights Burn Blue

Lights Burn Blue, and it’s sister pattern, Rosemary & Bay, are two patterns that are a collaboration between two of my favorite craft-related companies. (Also, both named after lines in Shakespeare, to keep with my naming scheme.)  Both patterns are worked with Dragonfly Fibers’ Traveller yarn, and both feature ceramic buttons from My Garage Art.  I’m a big believer in supporting other small businesses, and I believe very strongly in supporting businesses that have quality products.  Dragonfly Fibers makes beautiful yarn in stunning combinations, and My Garage Art makes gorgeous buttons.  Every time I go on their website, I find another set of buttons I just have to have.

Which brings me to an exciting thing I’ll be offering in the New Year: kits, featuring coordinating Dragonfly Fibers Yarns and My Garage Art buttons, to make Rosemary & Bay dresses or Lights Burn Blue patterns.

Now, the kits won’t be coming out on the very first day of New Year: I have a website that is also getting an overhaul.  But I will be offering them in a few different venues, which will be announced!

Rosemary & Bay

Keep tuned, as I’ll be posting some pictures of the gorgeous buttons in the upcoming days.

Just in Time – a personal pair of socks.

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Today the weather is grey and foggy – it is not raining, but it is close.  I’m supposed to get a bike ride in, because I’m not sure what the rest of the week will bring, and I’m doing everything in my power to avoid it – including the final edits on Lights Burn Blue, the last pattern I’ll be releasing in this year.  All I have left is the yardage calculations, which I hate.

Yardage calculations are hard. Overestimate, and people are unhappy because they didn’t use the extra ball. Underestimate, and it’s really bad.  And hitting it just right – well, there’s a reason that yardage estimates are normally prefaced with, approximately or about… because it’s really hard to get right.  How long of a tail do you use? How much wiggle room do you build in?

This time around, I’m working with a new-to-me tech editor, who has been great.  She’s super detail oriented, which is good. Sometimes I can let the details slide.  In the moment, the little details drive me bonkers. But it’s the same reason my good editors in college drove me crazy – because they cared enough to sweat the details.  Which are important, when people are going to be working your patterns.

On a more personal front, last night I got back from knit night (where I showed off my finished socks).  I finished the socks while we ran our party on Saturday, and in a fit of productivity, wove in the ends quickly, so I could slip them on.  I’ve named them Just in Time, as I made them out of Father Time yarn that was in my stash.  In a sprint to the end of the year, I’m trying to work through a bit of my stash yarn in limited colorways, as it’s not suited to design in… because it isn’t widely available.  I have a bunch of Three Irish Girls from many years ago in my stash, so I’m working through that.

I used Cat Bordhi’s Sweet Tomato Heel, which I’ve only ever worked on samples to teach from.  I didn’t want to work the heel over 1/3 of the stitches like the pattern calls for, (because I didn’t want to do the math to figure out how to make that work in pattern), so instead I made a mini gusset, adding 10 sts, which brought my sole count up so that I ended up working the heel over 2 sts shy of 2/3 the total sts.  I worked 3 wedges, and I like how they look.  It seems to work well. It’s a bit less “huggy” in the heel than I’m used to, but that’s because the heel added a bit more length to the sock than I was expecting.  It may also be because I added a gusset and Cat didn’t call for one.  I don’t regret adding the gusset, but I might make the heel a bit less deep next time.  I’m thinking the first time I wash them they might “tighten up” a bit, which I wouldn’t be upset about.  May run them through the dryer once to tighten them up.  Not quite sure.

The stitch pattern is a simple k1, sl 1 in front every 3rd row, and ofset by one.  It’s quickly becoming my go-to pattern for my own personal socks, the same pattern I used for Crayon Box (you remember, the socks that were beautiful, then bled all over, and now I have a rather ambivalent relationship with, but still wear anyway?  Yeah, those).  Which probably means I need to get around to writing them up as a pattern.  They’re simple enough that I keep wondering if it’d be a good idea to write them up with different heel styles, which would be fun, but a lot of work.  And every time I decide that I’ll just keep them in my own personal stash.

Anyway, the pattern creates a bit of waffle-like texture, which remind me of the texture of my long underwear, and thus, make me think that the pattern has special warming properties.  I actually think that they are warm because of the content of the yarn, but still, I like them.

If you do like the pattern, let me know in the comments!  I’d be much more likely to write this one up (and work it in a more sell-able yarn), if I knew there was interest, and perhaps some test knitters.

And in case I don’t get another blog post in before Christmas, Merry Christmas to those of you who celebrate.

I’ll be having the family over, so it will be wonderful chaos.

My Pattern is On TV! And it’s currently Free!

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Stained Glass Rug recently came out in the Interweave Crochet Home 2015, which is a simply gorgeous issue of the magazine.  I’ve recently been interested in padded crochet.  It’s a technique most commonly used in Irish Crochet Lace, but I’ve been fascinated with it’s potential on a larger scale, hence the rug.

Well, the producers at KDTV were interested in the pattern too, and decided to feature it on an episode of the show.  Take a peek:


Marcy Smith, the editor of Interweave Crochet, demonstrates the technique beautifully in Episode 1409!  I simply can’t say enough how well Interweave photographed the pattern and showed off the rug.

So, you might ask, when and where can I watch the episode live? Knitting Daily TV runs on may PBS stations, though it’s scheduling is different depending on where you live. Which is the long way of saying, I have absolutely no clue.

 BUT! I did find a search tool so you can find out when the episode airs!  You can look up the air date here: Listing For Knitting Daily TV.

If you do have Knitting Daily TV, let me know, so I can put the times it airs up here! I’d love to be able to catch the episode if possible. The 14th season’s 9th episode is when Stained Glass Rug will be featured!

Finally, while the show is running, Stained Glass Rug will be offered as a free download here: http://www.knittingdaily.com/media/p/131342.aspx!

Updates, Holidays, Naughty Numbers

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I’ve been sucked into plans for Christmas, but today I find myself with another rainy day and a pot of warm tea to keep me going through the afternoon.

Mr. Turtle and I pulled out the Christmas decorations out of the attic over the weekend, put up the tree, and decorated the living room and dining room.  I have extra fir branches to make into a wreath later this week, and perhaps some garlands to hang from the walls.  Last night I rubbed my hands in the branches of the tree, and enjoyed the scent that permeated my hands.

I have two super secret projects I’m working on for Mr. Turtle and my mother-in-law, and a couple of other hand-knits I made over the year to give as gifts.  A full post will have to go up after Christmas, when I’m not in danger of giving things away.  Meanwhile, presents that we ordered online are rolling in, and things are shaping up to finish nearly on-time, as far as I can tell.

Business – wise things have been a mixed bag.  I have a glove pattern that should be done, except my tech editor keeps catching numbers problems that aren’t working.  She’s doing exactly what she’s supposed to do – which is to catch problems before they make it into a publication.  BUT!  I just want this darn glove pattern done!  I want to wave my magic wand and just will the numbers to work!

… I’m told it doesn’t quite work that way.

Still, several other projects are in the works that will reach fruition come the new year, so I’m trying not to get discouraged.

I’ll leave you a picture of the naughty gloves, which I’m determined to get right!

Two Designs Today: Rosemary & Bay and Barber Pole Cowl

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I’m busy preparing to take off for a weekend in DC, to visit family, friends, and teach a little, but I had a quick note I wanted to drop.  I’ve got 2 (count that – two!) designs out today, and I wanted to share them with you.

The first, Barber Pole Cowl, is out with Interweave Crochet’s Winter 2015 issue.  It’s just in the nick of time, being that cowl weather is descending quite quickly.  I love this cowl for a bunch of reasons: it’s stretchy fabric, it’s double-warm fabric from carrying the yarn stranded, and the opportunity for holiday colors.  I’m thinking of doing a crochet-a-long!  Let me know if you’re interested!

The second pattern out today follows my Shakespeare Naming Trend for my self-published designs (because, like I mentioned, I’m a geek).  Rosemary & Bay is a sweet and versatile child dress sized up to 2 yrs old.  It’s a simple and approachable pattern, and completely workable in a quick amount of time – like before Christmas!

I love the little details that make this dress: the slightly ruffled hem, the ribbon around the waist, the buttons by My Garage Art that close the back (or the front: the dress is completely reversible)!  I’ll leave you with a picture:

Monthly Theme: Mysig

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Sweetness, snuggled up against the cold in Silva Shawl

It’s a dreary rainy day out today.  I was supposed to meet up with a college student from Randolph Macon to photograph some knitwear.  We’re rescheduling for later in the week.

Days like today remind me of a word I learned while I was in Sweden: Mysig.  It means, roughly, an activity/place that is comfy, agreeable, snugly, brings comfort and has a relaxing vibe.  Most often I heard it used in contrast: that is, it’s nice to go home after a hard day of work and mysig; a place that has mysig might be warm and cushy after being out in the dark and the cold.  It’s a word that encapsulates that feeling of holing up and relaxing when it’s rainy/snowy and cold outside.

Mysig is particularly appropriate, I feel, for the month of December.  It’s been fall really winds down and winter sets in: it’s a time for handknits, truly.  I find I finished with a pair of socks only to launch into another pair: I feel a need to make things both warming and comforting.  I want my tried and true sock pattern, and none of that new-fangled stuff.

I was working on a design submission this week, and I found myself struggling to come up with transitional pieces like the call was asking for: all I wanted to work was warm and snuggly things in bulky and lofty yarns.  Meanwhile, my recovering cat Watson is a drugged and warm and oozy kitty in my lap (in that way only cats and small children can go boneless).

I am particularly enamored of this set of design submissions: if they don’t get chosen I’m afraid I’ll just have to make them all myself.

So in the tradition of Mysig, I’m going to try something a little bit different this month – all my posts will somehow tie back to that theme of cozy, comforting and warming.

Indie GAL Interview with Nancy Whitman

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Tomorrow is the last day of the Indie Design GAL sale: have you gotten your patterns yet?  Get on it!  But you know, even when the sale is over, the fun is just beginning!  Join us in the Ravelry group for great contests, prizes, and one of the most epic KAL/CAL ever!

Today I’m interviewing Nancy, who is the creative presence behind whitknitsdotcom.  Like myself, she learned to knit at the age of eight.  She’s a crafty individual who’s worked with quilting, woodworking and stained glass (gee, can you see influences in her designs?), who also runs her own online shot at whitknits.com.  Please welcome her to the blog (and finish reading to the bottom for a surprise)!

Eden Prairie

Nancy, it’s nice to have you to interview today!  First off, I want to ask you about your body of designs.  I noticed that you tend to favor shawls filled with color blocks and geographic forms. Looking at the page for Eden Prairie, the finished items almost look unreal with their geometric lines. What interests you about that style of designing? 
All of my color-blocked shawls are made with modular knitting. That means there is nothing to sew together, your knitting can go in any direction at any time, and you only use one color at a time. I really like graphic images and blocks of color surrounded by borders. All these things mesh well with how my brain works so using it as an approach to design makes sense to me.

I totally understand!  So kind of jumping off from that, when you approach designing, how do you go about the process?  Can you outline some of the questions or problems you are trying to solve? 
I am probably the most undisciplined designer on the planet! I tend to have a very broad idea of what I want and the form it will go into – cowl, shawl, hat, etc. For a modular shawl, I will have to decide on the order of construction. After that, most of the designing is on the needle. I don’t recommend this method for efficiency, but it does work for me.

Piet on Point

You mentioned you like graphic images and color surrounded by borders.  What, if anything, do you draw from?
 If you look at my newer designs, I am really drawn to the look of stained glass as in Eden Prairie. Most recently, I was inspired by the work of Dutch painter Piet Mondrian. You can see this in Piet on Point.

Piet Mondrian Abstract Cubes

You mentioned that you are a rather undisciplined designer, but that you plot out the order of construction.  Do you have a favorite way of sketching out your ideas?  Do you use pencils, watercolor or something else?
I use GIMP, which is a shareware image manipulation program. If I have an idea, I will try to draw it there to see if it looks right. I try to knit at or near the computer so I can type up the pattern at the same time. The first time anything is on paper or I use a pencil is to proof the pattern.

What about other tools?  Do you have a favorite type of needle?
I always disliked circular needles, preferring double pointed instead. I tried some addi needles and was hooked. No pun intended. I hold my needles pretty far from the points so most circs made my wrists hurt. The addi long lace interchangeable set is long enough for me to use comfortably. I now knit with them exclusively and even started to carry them at Whitknits.com.

Now for some silly questions! If you were a knitting/crochet notion, what would you be? 
A row counter! They are really useful and make for even knitting. I like that.

What’s one knitting technique that you wish that you could share with every knitter you met? 
Three needle bind off. It helps me to avoid sewing or grafting. I even use it to close the toe on all my socks and to join modular pieces.

Bocce

What’s the last book you read that you absolutely loved? 
The Book Thief. My 20-year-old son raved about it. I waited to see the movie so I could finish the book first, which I did about a month ago. Coincidentally, the movie was on HBO last week. Now my 14-year-old son is reading it.

Do you have a favorite heel style you like to work? 
A traditional top-down hell flap. And I always get a kick out of turning the heel!

Do you have a designer crush?  Who is it?  Why? 
Yes I do. Heidi Kirrmaier. Her knits are classic and effortless, but not boring. There is always a design detail that speaks to me.

Gardener’s Shawl

How do you define success in your career? 
I read a Ravelry post about Bocce. The poster said she saw someone wearing it at Stitches. That to me is success – someone wants to knit one of my patterns and someone else recognizes it. What more could I ask for?

Thank you Nancy for taking the time to talk with me!  If you’d like to learn more about Nancy, you can find her on Ravelry or on her website.  Check out her Gift-A-Long patterns!  I, in particular, like her Gardener’s Shawl.


As a fun little reward, Nancy’s generously offered up one of her self-published patterns, winner’s pick.  Nancy will be choosing a winner, and we’ll make an announcement on Monday.  Make a comment below telling us your favorite one of Nancy’s patterns.

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