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Traveling Sock visits the Library of Congress

I am back from a very long day trip down to Washington, DC, with the student group from my alma mater (and I am not at all used to calling school that yet!). We toured the Library of Congress, getting a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on and meeting several of the librarians and catalogers. It was great fun and very inspiring.

Since the bus ride was over four hours each way, I brought a sock to cast on, and then I took what I’d knit on my tour with me. The Sock found the tour boring and was happy to hide in my bag, but the Great Hall woke it right up:

Sock visits the Great Hall of the Library of Congress

The Sock was also intrigued by the display of Jefferson’s original library, which Congress purchased to renew the collection after someone (naming no names, but they wore red coats and drank tea) burned the first one to the ground during the war of 1812. We were not supposed to take any pictures there, so I can’t show you how it looked, but I promise you it was very interesting. Sock was also very taken by the Gutenberg Bible on display, and asked to see the Main Reading Room. Unfortunately, by then it was close to closing so we only had a chance to peek inside quickly. We agreed to put it on the list of things to do when we go back.

The Library of Congress is right across the street from the Capital building, which makes researching for Representatives and Senators (its primary purpose) nice and efficient, but it has the side benefit of a Very Nice View:

Sock checking out the view

The Sock liked that view very much. (I did too). You can even see the Washington Monument, just past the Capital building.

Before we left, the Sock checked out the Poseidon Fountain in front of the Library of Congress’s main building:

Sock visits the Posidon Fountain

and then we got to ride the DC Metro back to catch our bus home, which was another loooooooooong drive. The Sock and I were both very tired so we rested and tried not to think mean thoughts about the traffic jam on the MD/DE border, but we might not have been successful.

Sock wants to go back once it’s done being knit up and let me wear it around DC, which I think is a most excellent idea.

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May Wrap-up

Are we really done with May already? Yikes. At this rate it’ll be Rhinebeck season before I’m ready!

May was a busy month. I had two sisters graduate from college, one with a bachelor’s in nursing, one with a master’s in education. And then? I graduated! Behold, one Master of Library Science:

Graduation

As you can see, it was pouring. Absolutely soaked, and I spent most of the day doing my best impression of a cat fallen in a well. It put a bit of a damper on my plans to take some traveling sock pictures — it was just too wet. But I walked, and I got to wear my fancy robes, so I am sure you will all bear up under the disappointment.

LETTUCE SOCKS
Lettuce Socks
Pattern: Thuja Socks
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock in Lettuce Knits
Needles: US 1/2.25mm
Notes: Sadly, I finished these too late to wear for Easter, because the colors are perfect for that, don’t you think? This particular skein of STR came from Lettuce Knits in Toronto, which I visited when I flew up to see my best friend J last summer. The color is named for the shop, so it seemed like a very good souvenir to me. I knit it up in my standby Thuja broken-rib stitch that I gravitate to for and promptly packed it away with the other socks for the summer. I did take this lovely picture of the eye-of-partridge heel first:
Lettuce Socks

MOM’S SHETLAND SHAWL
Shetland Triangle
Pattern: Shetland Triangle
Yarn: Malabrigo Lace in Cactus Flower
Needles: US 5/3.75 mm
Notes: Written up here.

VINTAGE VELVET KNOCK OFF
Vintage Velvet Knock-off
Pattern: Vintage Velvet
Yarn: Muench Touch Me in Burnt Orange, 3 skeins
Needles: US 8/5.0 mm
Notes: Written up here. So excited to finally have this done for myself!

There’s a few other mostly-finished May projects: namely a tank top in a linen/cotton/rayon blend I picked up at Maryland last year, and a beautiful pair of Selbuvotter gloves for my dad. But the tank top isn’t quite satisfying me yet, and the Selbuvotter are a Father’s Day gift, so you’ll see both of those later.

I’m taking a tour tomorrow of the Library of Congress, so I will try to get a few traveling socks to make up for the rainy fail of my graduation day. We will make no mention of the fact that tomorrow’s forecast for DC is… rainy.

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Out of Season

Memorial Day Weekend: parades, barbecues, sales. All very traditional. Me? I’m a rebel. I spent it washing and packing away for the summer all of my woolen knitwear. Hats, gloves, scarves, all washed and clean and smelling of lavender and tucked away from those little winged menaces until the chill returns. Socks are packed separately in case I want to pull out a pair on a cool night, and because I have so many of them they need their own container. I didn’t realize how prolific a sock knitter I’ve become until I started gathering them up!

Since it’s now summer (if you ignore the solar calendar) that’s the perfect time to finish up another scarf, right? Right!

VINTAGE VELVET KNOCK-OFF

Vintage Velvet Knock-off
Pattern: Vintage Velvet by Lisa Daniels, from Interweave’s Scarf Style — sort of. See the notes
Yarn: Muench Touch Me in Burnt Orange, 3 skeins, picked up in a Ravelry destash
Needles: US 8/5.0 mm
Notes: I have been coveting this scarf for a long time. I acquired Scarf Style ages ago, and the Vintage Velvet scarf leapt out at me immediately both for its appearance and the description of the yarn’s properties after felting — like crushed velvet, hence the name. Then I found out how expensive the yarn is, so it went on the backburner for a few years. During those few years got the chance to gladhand skeins of Touch Me in various and sundry yarn shops, and oh wow does it live up to its name. Actual velvet fabric has always made the skin on the back of my neck stand up when I touch it, but this yarn feels to me like velvet ought to — soft and cushy and rich. When I found someone destashing three skeins of the stuff on Ravelry for half price, I jumped on it heedless of the color. I’d always envisioned a scarf in a chocolately brown or victorian rose shade, but the available skeins were burnt orange.

It’s grown on me:
Vintage Velvet Knock-off
especially now that I’ve felted the finished object, which brought out a richness and depth that I really love.

The original pattern called for five skeins of Touch Me, and I only had three. I found a lot of modifications and ideas on Ravelry and I ended up abandoning the original pattern entirely. I swiped the double-sided cable from the Palindrome scarf and did an 8 stitch border on each side in seed stitch. (I am one of those few knitters who enjoys seed stitch.) The center cable gives a nice spine to the scarf, while the seed stitch relaxed — adding almost eight inches in length! — after felting and developed a beautiful drape. It’s a dream to wear, and I’m already looking forward to next winter so I can show it off properly.

And, because Memorial Day is more than parades or barbecues and sales or knitwear: if you’re a soldier or sailor reading this, thank you for your service, and come home safe to your families.

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Wool Sightings

I got a surprise in my inbox this week, an email from my old coworker Kate. She shared with me some pictures of her beautiful baby Sameera, who is one of my Lawyer Babies — my personal nickname for the layette sets I knit for some of my old coworkers.

Look at this beautiful baby. I dare you to not smile at this picture:

Baby Sameera in her sweater

You smiled, didn’t you? Don’t lie, we all are. Sameera is decked out in a Baby Surprise Jacket and matching hat and Christine’s Stay On Booties, knit in Koigu PPPM and Dale Baby Ull. (And look at how well those booties have held up!) Kate told me in her email that Sameera’s grandmother thinks she has a kingly air in this outfit, and I have to agree, don’t you?

Baby Sameera shows off her natural fibers

The life of royalty is clearly difficult, having to put up with all this paparazzi, but Sameera is tolerating it in order to show all of all the beautiful natural fibers she’s wearing — that’s a cotton diaper to go with her wool couture.

It’s always a real treat for me, as a knitter, to get to see things I’ve made out in the world being worn and loved, and there’s something extra special to me when it’s for a baby. Thanks, Kate, for these pictures and letting me share them here!

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Shetland

I’ve been up in Vermont quite a bit these last few weeks, although this past weekend was my little sister’s graduation, so I was too distracted to bother with traveling sock pictures. (Sorry!) On my last visit, though, I dragged my traveling companion (Mom) to yarn shops, because that’s how I roll.

Mom doesn’t knit but she gets a kick out of the different fibers and colors — and as a quilter, she has a crafter’s appreciation for raw material. I react much the same way when I go to quilting shops. We’re like a team. So when I noticed her peeking over my shoulder as I examined a shelf full of Malabrigo Lace, I stepped aside and told her to pick a color.


She did: Cactus Flower. “What are you making with it?” she asked me, and I just shrugged, which she took to mean I didn’t know yet.

That was not a lie, really. More like a sin of omission. I totally had a plan:

Shetland Triangle
Pattern: Shetland Triangle by Evelyn A. Clark, from Wrap Style
Yarn: Malabrigo Lace in Cactus Flower
Needles: US 5/3.75 mm
Notes: Wow, was this a fast knit! I cast this on on a Saturday and had it finished by the following Friday. The pattern is easy and has a nice meditative repetition to it.
I picked this pattern mostly for the name — Shetland is a region in Scotland, and as I have mentioned previously in these pages, my mom is of Scottish descent and fiercely proud of it. Something in the traditional fir cone pattern seemed to be just the ticket. I’ve also seen this project beautifully knit up by Rebecca, so I knew what to expect — and I wasn’t disappointed.
The pattern calls for a fingering weight, so I threw in a couple of extra repeats before starting the edging. I had plenty of yarn leftover and could have easily continued on if not for the Mother’s Day deadline looming. It came out beautifully in the laceweight and blocked into a light, airy wrap.

Shetland Triangle

I decided not to block this before presenting it: partially because I knew Mom would get a kick out of seeing the transformation from unblocked lump to crisp lace, but mostly because Mom and I live together and the only good surface to pin this out on… is the room she uses for her quilting. There’s no way to keep a blocking shawl hidden, so I didn’t try. My plan worked, and it’s now blocked and beautiful.

In fact, I’m so taken with it…I think I’ll make myself one.

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Maryland Sheep & Wool ’09

This was my second year attending MDSW. It was not anywhere near as hot as last year.

It was, however, much rainier, so I didn’t have the camera out much. I spotted some fun things, though:

MDSW 09

1. Model sheep – literally; he posed when he saw me pick up my camera 2. Natural dyes, waiting for yarn 3. If you cross it, they will make a sign 4. Losing battle 5. Charlotte would be proud! 6. Please touch everything? OK!

I also (almost literally) bumped into Casey, Jess, and MH from Ravelry, but I didn’t want to interrupt, as they were deep in conversation with… Ysolda Teague! To prove it, I kinneared her:

MDSW 2009

Those are her socks. Please note my awesome kinnearing abilities.

But the best part? BOOTY.
Golding drop spindle
This is my new Golding drop spindle, which I have already spun a wee mini-skein with (the skein is soso, the spindle divine). I’m in love, and I want more. Perhaps I could set up a charity?

The Haul
And the yarn and fiber, including a bag of discontinued Soft Angora from Cherry Tree Hill, several different kinds of fiber to play with, some indy sock yarn, more STR and Touch of Twist, and a few more Koigu mill ends for a project. I am very very pleased. Also under budget… really!

Despite the rain I had a ton of fun with Melissa and Snarfy, even when they mocked me for my affection for Wawa.

Now the next question is, can I knit this all up before Rhinebeck?

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April Wrap-Up

Ah, April. April went a little crazy this year. Temperatures jumping from 40 F to 90 F in a day, sunny (and then pouring all over May instead)… I think I’m glad it’s May, despite the rain.

JO’S BRIDAL SHOWER SET
Bridal Shower Gift
Pattern: Felted Oven Mitt and Trivet from Felted Knits by Bev Galaskas; washclothes in single crochet and seed stitch
Yarn: Knitpicks Wool of the Andes in White and Forest Heather; Sugar’n’Cream Cotton in Countryside and Summer Splash
Needles: US 11/8mm and US 13/9mm for the oven mitts and potholders; 5.5mm crochet hook and US 8/5.0mm for the washclothes
Notes: Exhaustive write-up here

EASTER EGGIES
Chickie Egg Cozy

Pattern: Chick Egg Cozies by Derya Davenport
Yarn: Knitpicks Wool of the Andes in… yellow scrap
Needles: US 5/3.75 mmm
Notes: These were a quick little throwaway that I threw together for Easter. The pattern calls for using orange felt to make beaks. I did not have any orange felt to hand, but I had orange yarn, so I figured I’d just embroider beaks. I now have a pair of rather dementedly evil-looking egg cozies.

COCHIINEAL SOCKS
Cochineal Socks

Pattern: Basic stockinette.
Yarn: Knitpicks Felici in Cochineal
Needles: US 1 / 2.25 mm
Notes: I bought the yarn solely for the name, cast on 62, did 2×2 rib til I got bored, and then just went to town til it was time for the heel flap. They are exceedingly pink, but that’s what you get when you name your yarn after little dye-bugs.
Side note: I miss the old Felici with the different-sized stripes.

BUSINESS CARD HOLDER
Business Card Holder

Pattern: Mine, all mine! [maniacal laughter]
Yarn: Knitpicks Dancing, from the stash.
Needles: US 1 / 2.25 mm
Notes: This was a quick little thing I knocked out in one night and promptly bragged about to the entire internet. At a event I was at a few weeks ago, someone suggested that you have two pockets or holders or whatnots for business cards — one for your own, and one for your collection from other people. That way you don’t get them mixed up and accidentally hand out someone else’s card. I had nothing like that. But I did have some free time and some stash yarn, so I made one to fit.
I’m super happy with how the little thing came out, and I am writing the pattern up because I can’t be the only person with an out-of-control business card collection.

May highlights cannot yet be discussed because it will ruin Mother’s Day birthdays things. Once all those things pass by then I can sing like a canary.

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Skills

You know what’s awesome about being a knitter?

You can look at your pile of business cards, and think about the networking event you’re attending the next day, and say, “Self, I think I need something to keep these organized.”

And Self answers back, “You’ve got scads of leftover sock yarn, go to town.”

So you do.

Business Card Holder

That’s what’s awesome about being a knitter.

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Weekend Update

(I surely can’t be the only person whose first thought upon hearing the words “weekend update” is Norm MacDonald. Or am I just showing how long it’s been since I last watched SNL?)

Anyway, to business! I had the occasion to attend a bridal shower for my cousin — the occasion, of course, being that she is engaged — and as has become tradition, I made her gift.

BRIDAL SHOWER MITT & POTHOLDER SET
Bridal Shower Gift
Pattern: Felted Oven Mitt and Trivet from Felted Knits by Bev Galaskas; washclothes in single crochet and seed stitch
Yarn: Knitpicks Wool of the Andes in White and Forest Heather; Sugar’n’Cream Cotton in Countryside and Summer Splash
Needles: US 11/8mm and US 13/9mm for the oven mitts and potholders; 5.5mm crochet hook and US 8/5.0mm for the washclothes
Notes:
I picked the colors to match the color scheme in the bride’s registry, completely forgetting that white never, ever felts as well as darker colors. The end result (which i attempted to skillfull hide with my artful arranging for the photograph) is a his-and-hers set. I think it adds to the charm and uniqueness of this set, of course, and there will be no mention of the adjectives I used when I was reminded of this fact of felting.

The oven mitt and coaster/trivet (what I call a potholder) patterns are my most used patterns out of Bev Galaskas’s marvelous Felted Knits book. I don’t do a lot of felting, but it just clicks for me in this pattern. You want a good, sturdy, waterproof layer between you and a hot pan, and felted wool is ideal for the task. I’ve used them for about a half-dozen wedding presents now, and it always goes over well — potholders and mitts seem to be one of those things that everyone needs but nobody thinks of until they’ve grabbed that hot pot with a bare hand. It’s an quick and easy pattern, and it’s satisfying to shrink it down. I tried a few yarns before settling on Wool of the Andes held doubled. It felts up very evenly and smoothly and has a nice heft. (Keep this in mind if choosing it for sweaters, as well, to avoid heartbreak.) It’s also economical, especially in a project like this where you’re going to wash the stitches into invisibility.

Crocheted Washcloth

I also felt comfortable with crochet to actually try a real project with it! This little washcloth is just a simple single crochet. Nothing fancy, no tricks. Just single crochet over and over and over. It went a lot faster than the other washcloth, which was in seed stitch, and came out with some very interesting patterns when it pooled. This crochet thing is starting to grow on me. I might even try it again!

Prior to all this showering, I spent a few days up in Vermont with my mom, visiting my sister. She’s about to graduate college, has a job all lined up and is staying up there — I’m very proud of her, if I might just mention that. We took in the beauty of Lake Champlain and the mighty Green Mountains:

Traveling Sock

and I might have visited a few yarn stores (o hai thar Kaleidoscope and Northeast Fiber Arts Center). My mom, who is a quilter, then got her revenge by dragging me with her to several quilt shops. We are a very multi-craftual family. I am really fond of Vermont, and I’m glad my sister is staying up there so I can keep visiting the yarn shops her. Hi, Sis! Thanks for humoring the yarn habit!

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March Wrap-Up

March was a pretty simple month for me: one crazy all-encompassing pattern of doom = startitis everywhere else.

HEDWIG SOCKS
Hedwig Socks
Pattern: Basic Stockinette Sock with heel flap
Yarn: Opal Harry Potter sock yarn in Hedwig
Needles: US1/2.25mm bamboos
Notes: Written up here for your perusal.

VIPER PILOTS
BSG Socks of Cracktastic Doom
Pattern: Viper Pilots by Glenna C
Yarn: Dream in Color Smooshy in the Chinatown Apple Colorway
Needles: US 2/2.75mm
Notes: Extensive write-up here.

Other than that, I cast on a few things (bridal shower gift for cousin, some vanilla socks), worked on stuff already cast on (February Lady Sweater, Dad’s Selbuvotter, a wrap), and tootled around the East Coast taking my socks on tours of fancy estates and to hockey games. Oh, and winning stuff! Winning stuff is fun, too. (Thanks, Philly Burbs Stitch’n’Bitch!)

April, I hope, will be a finish-em-up-and-get-em-out month. I have big plans. Big plans, mmhmm. (Can we say Maryland? Yes we can!)

Big plans.