This, That and the Other

1. THIS

Happy Boxing Day! I hope this finds you all resting comfortably after the exertions of the last couple of days, and, of course, knitting.

For my Thistlemakers, both prior and would-be, thank you so much for your response and interest in a Ravelry group for a knitalong and advice column! I’ve created one HERE for you and I hope you’ll join in the fun. In addition to providing help and guidance for your Thistle Stole journey, I’ll also be soliciting input and sharing tidbits on the creation of my new Thistle Cardigan there. I’m so excited about doing this with you.

2. THAT

Speaking of things you’ve asked me for, Gentle Readers, here’s another bit of flotsam I’ve been needing to attend to: The Flower of Nepal sample is all done, except to finalize and apply her ribbon trim. I’ve collected about 20 different candidates, but still haven’t landed on the combination I like best. Stay tuned for the final result, but in the meantime I thought my “minimalist” knitters would like to see this naked (sans trim) version.

The next step will be writing the actual pattern, then the grueling stamina-enhancing math challenge that is garment sizing, and then, finally, the technical editing process. This last, of course, is when the inimitable Karen takes my (terrifying?) pattern draft and distills it into knittable form. I have no idea how she achieves this, but it seems to me like equal parts solving for X and Witchcraft. Watch this space for updates on the kits and class.

3. THE OTHER

Last of all, I thought I’d finish out the year by showing you this little bit of fun I’ve been having: My BFF Sweater. It’s a 2-person knitalong I browbeat convinced my bestie to do with me. Mine’s just now done, and his is mid-way through. Please feel free to visit his website and offer encouragement/see his progress.

I’ll be wearing this as 2024 winds down, and I quietly reflect on the many blessings of my life in knitting, and on the love and joy you all bring.

A Whole Field of Thistles

Greetings, Gentle Readers! I think it’s happening again: Over the weekend, copies of my Thistle Stole pattern started to fly out the digital door at a prodigious rate!

First and foremost, please accept my sincerest gratitude. Your purchases, as you know, support an independent artist, and allow me to continue operating my website as the (rare as a Dodo) ad-free space it is. This windfall is particularly appreciated right now, as I’ve been searching for a new day job since June, and I was really wondering what the remainder of the holidays would look like around here. Many, many thanks.

For the uninitiated, the Thistle Stole is a luxurious rectangular piece which is worked in a big round of stranded colorwork, with knitted hems at the cast-on and bind-off edges. Once complete, the round is cut open along a designated steek (!) to become a rectangle. Then the cut edges are bound with more knitting, and big bougie thistle-shaped tassels are added. Because as you know, Gentle Readers: More is More.

I don’t yet know who this group of Thistle Knitters are. Maybe it’s an extraordinary coincidence. Maybe it’s a private knitalong. Or maybe it’s a well-publicized group project that I have failed to find online. It’s a tantalizing mystery, and one I hope you’ll help me solve.

In any case, I’m compelled to offer my knitters, both the new and the Repeat Offenders, my help in addition to my thanks.

If you would like to add yourselves to the Royal Order of the Thistle (which I totally just made up), I cordially invite you to join in the fun!

Here’s How: Grab your copy of the Thistle HERE. Then if you have a question, want to send a photo, or would just like to say hi, Drop me a line any time as you progress. Here’s my EMAIL, and here’s where you can reach me over on RAVELRY. I’d be honored to act as your mentor and guide you through the process.

Additionally, if you’d like, I’d be happy to create a special Ravelry group just for you. That way you can easily talk amongst yourselves, share your photos and let me know what’s going on with you. If this is something you would like, please contact me and I’ll post the link to such here on the blog.

Since the original yarn I used to create the Thistle is no longer available, I’m especially interested in what yarns you’re selecting for your projects. I’m glad to offer opinions/suggestions/enabling for your substitutions, and a Ravelry group would be great for that. Again, stay tuned here for details.

I’m so honored and delighted that you you still love this pattern, because it’s a favorite of mine. Who knows? Maybe I’ll join you in a Thistle Redux: I’ve long thought this motif would make a gorgeous sweater, and have been waiting for the right time…

Unbubblegumming

So there I was, Gentle Readers, with an armload of beautiful “New Old Stock” Plymouth Galway yarn. And by armload, I mean “Gimme-All-Ya-Got”, via a very nice seller on E Bay. I always was a girl with an eye for a bargain, and this one would have been wrong to leave behind. As you know, not every project has to begin with thousand-dollar-yarn. In fact, there’s a certain freedom in grabbing a pile of the budget-friendly variety because there’s less at stake, financially to experiment with.

6 of the 12 skeins I scored for $30

But it wasn’t exactly my dream color. It was full-on Bubblegum pink. Meh.

Not to worry. It was nothing a few packets of Kool-Aid couldn’t fix. 48 packets, as it turned out, in a combination of Black Cherry and Blue Raspberry, at a ratio of 3 to 1.

After soaking a sweater’s worth of my skeins in warm water, I popped them into this semi-transparent bin with some water I microwaved until just boiling. The amount of water used with Koolaid doesn’t matter; you just need enough to cover the yarn. Then I put the lid on the bin and let the hot sun do its magic for a couple of hours.

I used to dye yarn this way with my kids when they were little, so the process brought back lots of fond memories. The intoxicating scent of powdered drink mix always brings on a fit of Mommy Nostalgia.

This dye technique couldn’t be easier: Benign neglect is all you need. I wandered off to eat popsicles in front of a fan, confident in the yarn’s ability to absorb the pigment and leave nothing but colorless water behind. You can tell all the dye has been taken up when the water is just a bit cloudy, with no dye remaining in it.

You can gently stir the yarn around a bit during the process if you want the color to be more even, or you can leave it alone like I did for more of a kettle-dyed effect.

Another fun effect can be achieved by putting either end of the wet skein into different colored dye containers. The skein will wick dye from either container toward the center for a multicolor wave.

You can also get ombre by suspending one end of a skein into the dye, then gradually lowering it into the bath more and more at intervals. Super fun, whether you do it with smallies, or on your own.

I let it dry, happy with the Rhubarb color it turned. Witchcraft, I tell ya.

And here’s a peek at it, once knit. Tangy!

I’m now inspired to make a new class for you; on something I’ve never done before: Your First Sweater. Maybe you’re a newer knitter who’s made a few accessories and is ready to try a sweater? Or perhaps an experienced stitcher who has been around the world and back in shawls but never tackled a garment? I’ll show you how to measure and fit a real live body, with shaping and openings and everything! I’ll be teaching this in November, so stay tuned for more details.

Meanwhile, please join me for 2 Strings = Not Scary next Friday HERE. No homework, no stress, just a fun introduction to stranded colorwork with me.

Or how about dipping a toe into Entrelac? Sign up HERE to make a fun little project that magically changes colors.

Ready to tackle the most feared act in knitting? There’s safety in numbers when you join me and other thrill-seeking knitters HERE for Eeek! Steeks!

And there are still a few spots available HERE in my first-ever Stars and Stripes workshop. I’ll actually be knitting along with you for this one, which will be a hoot! I can’t wait to show you my zany idea for a modern take on the classic Fana cardigan.

Welcome, Knitting Weather. It’s gonna get colorful in here.