Now with More Thistling

Well, it’s happened again: The Knitters called, and I picked up!

It’s been a fairly brutal year in the making-ends-meet department, (and I know I’m not alone). So much so that I’ve barely had the heart to knit. I know: hard to believe, and pretty brutal, indeed.

But as always, my Knitters have pulled me down off the ledge. In the wee hours of this morning, a whole lot of you downloaded copies ot the Thistle Stole, for which I thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

This flurry of Thistle-buying reminded me that I have not followed through on my threat to create a Thistle Sweater. A while back, I even selected the winner after auditioning three different yarn lines/pallettes - I just never got off the ground desigining it. So thank you also, for this firm shove back into my Native Habitat/Happy Place. I Hereby Proclaim, it is time to visit an old friend! I give you:

A pink thistle this time! I’m going to start swatching right away, before the start-itis can dissipate. While I’m doing that, I need your help, Gentle Readers.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to vote on the following:

Would you prefer a cardigan silhouette in A) a circular yoke, or B) a drop-shoulder? Leave a comment with your vote, along with any other ideas/requests you have for the new design. Many thanks in advance for your input! Watch this space for the process…

Unventing the Flower of Nepal

Happy New Year, Gentle Readers! As promised, here is a look at the Flower of Nepal, and the process of (re) designing it for you.

Over the last year, I started several blog entries that I never finished (Digital UFOs, if you will). And then promptly forgot they were never posted. Here is one such entry, which will, give a bit of background to the project I mentioned last time.

I said a while back that (some of) the reasons I never published this pattern are that it has shortcomings which might limit its appeal/knitability/wearability.

Called out in the photo above are the things the new version would have to address in order for me to consider it ready for primetime; i.e., good enough for my knitters.

While I’m not exactly disparaging the design, it was experimental when I made it, so I made choices for my own edification/amusement that I would not make if I expected it to be replicable by you. Some things directly affect the way it fits, and others are unnecessarily fiddly, even by my standards.

Those noted, here are the things I like about it, and that knitters who have seen it pointed out as good:

1. The color combination is both weird and wonderful. Nuff said.

2. The colorwork is all contained on its knitted hems, which both hide the cut steek edges and add both visual and structural gravitas.

3. The buttons and trims are cohesive to the piece, but somehow manage to tell their own story.

4. It’s really versitile and wearable, worked in superwash sock yarn that’s not heavy. A piece like this makes it easy to regulate your temperature and still wear a handknit indoors. Adjust the layer(s) underneath to suit your conditions and stay comfortable.

5. It’s actually a quick knit, compared to some other stranded colorwork productions. Once that big ol’ hem at the bottom is done, its just straigt on till morning in stockinette. Then some fun cutting and binding; and adding the (optional) trims and closures. Bang, you’re done.

My new and improved Flower of Nepal addresses the faults, while keeping the charms ot the original. Or so I hope. Stay tuned for the big reveal…

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.