I Have a (Bohus) Dream

Ever since I bought Wendy Keele’s “Poems of Color, Knitting in the Bohus Tradition”, I’ve hankered after a ‘Blue Shimmer’.  Pullover or cardigan, it doesn’t matter!

The book was released in ’95, so that’s a long time to wait on a sweater, but the kit is expensive, and I need my luxuries to be frugal.

What quelled this Bohus desire (actually the desire to knit *any* sweaters) was discovering secondhand cashmere sweaters years ago at Goodwill and on Ebay.  Every other year or 2, I would spend $45 to $60 and get 3 new-to-me cashmere sweaters, to replace the ones that were falling to bits.  I still kept the bits going with patches and mending, and would relegate them to wearing to bed.  If you’ve never worn a cashmere sweater to bed, instead of a cotton or cotton blend top, you’re definitely missing out!  

The only way to get sweaters as soft as cashmere, is with baby alpaca or angora, both of which are pricey, so I put sweaters out of my mind.

What made me think of Bohus again was reading Meg’s blog post recently about the new-ish “Bohus Stickning på nytt, The Revival”, by Viveka Overland.

Yes, an 8-yr old book isn’t new, but it is, compared to the books in my library!  It seems, though, that the first edition is sold out – I can’t find it anywhere.  I can only hope they are planning to reprint it.

But, it got me thinking.  Specifically about the leftover skeins of Yarn Undyed’s (non-superwash) superfine merino DK and baby alpaca DK in a natural white, which I bought to weave a couple batches of winter scarves, along with Valley Yarns’ Becket, Sunderland, and Hampden - all beautiful yarns, the latter two of which are especially soft, and purchased during one of Web’s 30% off sales.  I was saving them for more weaving projects, that iss, until now.

I have a few skeins of lt. grey, med. grey, a deep blue, and charcoal in the Sunderland and Hampden, which get the same 6.5 sts/1” gauge as the 100% baby alpaca DK.  I may need to add more lt. grey or perhaps a fawn/sand – I won’t know until I swatch a few ideas to see what the final design needs in order to sing.  

The majority of the sweater, however, would be in 100% baby alpaca, and, of course, I’m questioning the wisdom of doing this, unless knit snugly enough.  All this softness, though, is yummy, so, I may go for it, regardless.  

As it turns out, the superfine merino DK works best at 5.5 sts/1”, where the baby alpaca (with the same yardage) is denser/thinner and knits at 6.5 sts/1”, as would a sport wt.

If I was just knitting stockinette, the gauge difference would be an issue, but, all the finer yarns will be in the stranded yoke pattern, so the overall fabric thickness of the yoke and the body will be similar, so long as the st count is adjusted at the transition.  

As I don’t have the lovely blues and teals needed for the “Shimmer”, my eye then turned to “The Large Swan”, another beautiful design, where the colors I have might work better, although I have less colors in total.  Part of what makes Bohus designs so beautiful is the total # of colors used.

But I also really like “Regnmoln - Rain Clouds Pullover”, which looks similar to the “Red Palm”, or “The Mists”.  I’m especially fond of that effect, as no matter the color used, the simple pattern just *glows* – it’s so striking!

So, I have a fair bit of configuring to do. If I do decide to rework a Bohus into a DK wt. gauge, it will also be affected by having less colors to shade, and the fact that i never work top down, only bottom up, so I’ll need to reconfigure where the purl sts go, as the (adjusted) yoke chart will be worked upside down from the usual Bohus top-down method for yoke sweaters.

All in all, it will be a good mental exercise, if not actually mental, although we knitters are used to adjusting designs, right?!  

And, it will still be special.  LOL, if I actually stick with making an adjusted Bohus, instead of doing what I am usually inclined to do, and that is design my own pattern, in the Bohus genre.   Which I have already embarked on!  It is a genre in which I have, thus far, only made 2 designs, so there is much more exploration that can be done.

I’ll re-post when I get these niggly details worked out.  In the meantime, i can dream of a lovely, super soft, yoke-patterned sweater!

Onward!
Dawn

Applied/BO I-Cord Methods

I’ve been knitting a lot of I-cord edges and straps lately, for my new collection of cell phone/eyeglass cases, and thought I’d post on the various ways to knit applied/BO I-cord, as well as ways to deal with the dreaded color blip!

I’ve knit some samples to demonstrate each method, knit in 2 contrasting colors of Bartlettyarns Fisherman Bulky on size 11 ndls.

The way I used to knit a 3-st I-cord
With the body sts still live on either dpns or a circular ndl, CO 3 sts in the I-cord color onto a separate ndl.
K2, ssk (the last CO st and the first body st) = 3 sts rem.
Slip sts to other end of dpn.
Rep last row, until all sts are BO.

With this method, the blip shows through the center of the first *row* of I-cord sts.

I have used this method with live sts to BO, but I have also just picked up an edge st (as with a cardigan front edge) and worked it into the I-cord.  One of the blips is rather large, as that edge st was a bit looser than the others.  It also shows *between* the first and 2nd I-cord sts.

However, unless the last row or rnd of the body is the same (or close in color) as the I-cord color, this method will cause color blips, either in the center of the first *row*, or between the first and 2nd *rows* of I-cord sts.

Here's the I-cord worked in the same white yarn as the swatch – no special treatment is needed, as there's no color to show through.

The way I knit I-cord now
With the body sts still live on either dpns or a circular ndl, CO 3 sts in the I-cord color.
Knit 1 st from the body edge = 4 sts.
Slide sts to other end of dpn.
K2, k2togtbl = 3 sts.
Rep until all sts are BO. 

Even though a st is knit up in the I-cord color, before dec’g on the next row, a blip can still occur, even if less obviously.

3 ways to deal with the color blip
A color blip can occur when the color of the last row of the knitting (that the I-cord is worked onto) varies in color from the I-cord yarn color, as is clear with these red on white swatches.

This blip of color can peak through between the 1st and 2nd I-cord sts, along the front of the work, or through the center of the first I-cord sts, depending on which way the cord was attached.

Fix #1
I have seen some mention that by working the I-cord from the WS, that *row* of blips will land towards the WS of the work, instead of the RS.  I haven’t used this method, but, in swatching, the blips do indeed fall to the WS of the work, as expected.

And here's the crisp RS:

The 2 fixes I *have* used before follow.

Fix #2
The simplest fix is to knit 1 row/rnd in the color that will be the I-cord color.  As the I-cord curls around the edge, this extra row/rnd visually becomes part of the I-cord.

Fix #3
This fix is more fiddly (and time consuming), especially when working snugly.  This method was un-vented by Joyce Williams, mentioned in Schoolhouse Press’ “The Opinionated Knitter”, pg. 55, in their “Knitting Glossary” DVD, and I’m sure also in many articles.

Her method adds a yo to Elizabeth Zimmermann’s I-cord method of k2, sl 1, k1 edge st, psso.

With live (un-BO sts):
CO 3 sts in the I-cord color.
Slide sts to other end of the dpn.
K2, sl 1, yo, slip 1 body edge st, pass the yo and sl 1 over this last slipped st = 3 sts.  
Slide sts to other end of dpn. 
Rep until all sts are BO.

If the body sts aren’t live, as with a cardigan’s front edge:
CO 3 sts in the I-cord color.  
Slide sts to other end of dpn.
K2, sl 1, yo, knit up 1 st along body edge, pass the yo and sl 1 over the knit up st = 3 sts.
Slide sts to other end of dpn. 
Rep until all edge sts are incorporated into the I-cord.

 

I have also seen the yo coming before the sl 1, as follows:
K2, yo, sl 1, knit up 1 st along body edge, pass the yo and sl 1 over the knit up st = 3 sts.  
Slide sts to other end of dpn.  

BUT, I do not think this method makes the neatest looking edge.  There’s no color blip, but it messes up the appearance of the first *row* of I-cord sts.

I find the sl 1 and yo business, then passing the 2 sts over, slows down the I-cord process enough that I’d do almost anything *not* to work the I-cord this way!

If working the cord along a vertical edge, I’d still likely knit up sts along that edge in the I-cord color first, and of course, in the proper st to row ratio, before working the I-cord.

Happy Knitting!
Dawn

Meg's Blog

I should have done this ages ago – add Schoolhouse Press’ blog to my sidebar.  My oversight has now been corrected!

I taught myself to knit by reading EZ’s “Knitting Workshop” in the late ’80’s.  Actually, I just read the first few chapters, then walked to the local dime store to buy circulars, and CO for a color pattern pullover in my handspun wool.  

Up until that point, I was knee deep in washing fleece, picking, carding, spinning, naturally dyeing it, then weaving it.  No, we didn’t live on a farm!, just a small house in a village.  I’d lay washed fleece out on the grass and skeins of yarn would hang from the wash line, to dry.  The neighbors had never seen anyone do what I did.

Later, when we sold that house, I also had to sell all my equipment - the picker, the carder that hubby had motorized, and the floor loom.  

But the knitting needles stayed, although I replaced the cheap dime store ones with Addi Turbos and Bryspun’s previous style of dpns with the blunt tips – both still my favorite needles.

When all else is lost, there is still knitting.  I have a floor loom again, though I don’t get to weave as often as I’d like.  I no longer want to process fleece, and although I *think* about dyeing yarn, I never seem to have the time and real motivation to carry through with this thought.  Maybe one day.

Knitting, though, is a permanent fixture.   Most of my ideas involve the endless hours of enjoyment in making those hundreds to thousands of loops of yarn.

Blogging, however, I know I am not as good at!  Ideally, it would be like Meg’s blog, which is a delight!, but there is only one EZ and Meg, with Cully’s video skills.

On my rather long to-do list is to one day redo the videos I have, and add more.  Mine were done decades ago, with a camera of low resolution, as was typical then.  Even the camera I’ve had since is out of date, resolution-wise.  Hence, its place on the list.

Meg’s videos are excellent, clear, and charming.  I find myself clicking on topic after topic is the tag list, eager to read and see more, even with topics I know.  So, I defer to their excellent presentation of knitting info!

Happy Knitting, Happy Spring!
Dawn

Ticking off the List!

My posts lately are few and far between, but, for the usual good reasons – work and life.

That’s always the way, isn’t it!?  Things crop up which demand all our time, energy, and attention.  

For me, it’s turning 65 in April, which means reading the 180 pg. Medicare manual several times, and sorting through plans online several times before choosing plans, at least for this year.  

I’m still not done, though.  I still need to work on choosing a pharmacy.  My heart meds are very expensive (if and until they come up with generics), so, trying to save $$ is as important, if not more so, than earning $, especially as patterns don’t earn a lot!

But I’m working on that situation, as well.  I’ve released 5 new patterns since February, one more is coming soon, and several more are in the knitting stage.   I'm also considering creating weaving patterns for my rigid heddle designs.

I’d like to get at least a dozen new patterns released this year, as I’ve had a few years, recently, when I released little to no new work, due to illness.  

Thankfully, the heart meds do a great job of keeping me from quickly sliding into crap (and ending up in the hospital). All the hormones I’ve been replacing for many years also help me to function much better than if I didn’t replace them.  BTDT, so I well remember how non-functioning I was after chemo, radiation, and menopause occurred all at the same time.

I’m also working on a Payhip store, not the least because I had to close down my WP store over a year ago.  The hosting costs were more than sales, and I never liked the WP/Woo interface.

The new store is several weeks in progress, and several more are still needed, but it will give knitters yet another source for my designs, besides Ravelry, Etsy, and Lovecrafts.  Etsy interest and sales have slumped a lot this winter compared to previous winters, despite new listings.  I don't want to judge it yet, but in the back of my mind, I know it's a good idea to create an independent site.

I’m almost halfway through this year’s list of major To-Do’s.  I’m not ready to rest on any imaginary laurels, though, as one never knows what hiccups are around the corner, to slow progress down, like the surgeries hubby has been needing more frequently the past 5 years, so I need to allow for sometimes not having much time to work. 

LOL, the only time I ever procrastinate is when I really need a rest, then I detach from all computer, knitting, weaving, and spinning work, and veg out for a week watching a long mystery or legal series.  It’s the closest I ever get to a vacation, and much cheaper!

Along the way, I’ve needed to do some computer file maintenance/clearing out.  In prepping the Payhip store, I’ve noticed that all my pattern files have extraneous and/or old files taking up space.  Everything is saved on a zip drive, so there’s no need for all this fluff.  That’s also the way – start one project, which then balloons into multiple projects!

Onward!
Dawn

Who Did Do It?

In a recent post, I mentioned my January mini veg out, watching whodunits. To be specific, they’re mostly British mystery series.  I’m not an Anglofile, per se, but there’s just something about British productions.

Maybe it’s the real-looking people, who aren’t forced to be a size 0, and are pulled and lip-plumped to within an inch of their lives.  These same actors I’ve seen over and over in various series since the ‘80s.  Maybe it’s the acting.  I really think, though, good acting is only half the job – it’s the writing and directing that make for a really good series.  If only Hollywood was more British in their approach to television!

I’m sure you all know about these, but I just thought I’d list all the mysteries I so love to watch.  Maybe you do too, and will see something new to enjoy.

Inspector Morse.  I’ve loved, and watched the series *so many* times since 1987, and used to hum the entire Barrington Pheloung Morse theme song, to my husband’s amazement.

Then came, in more or less descending order:
Poirot, another long-time fav
Foyle’s War
Marple
Midsomer Murders
Father Brown
Inspector Lewis
Inspector Lynley
Endeavour
Sherlock
Death in Paradise
Zen (because Rufus Sewell is just so handsome!)
Rosemary & Thyme
Pie in the Sky
Murder in Provence
Shakespeare & Hathaway
Hetty Wainthropp Investigates
Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries

and very recently added these:
Magpie Murders
Vienna Blood
Unforgotten
Professor T
Annika
Miss Scarlet and the Duke

In scanning my Watchlist, it’s amazing how many *other* British productions I also return to again and again.

If you’re also into legal shows, I recently re-watched The Good Wife, which I hadn’t seen in years, and the sequel, The Good Fight - both excellent!

Happy Viewing!
Dawn

Need More Hands, and Honey Mustard Chicken!

I’ve been remiss in my blogging, but that’s only because I’ve been SO busy designing, charting, knitting up samples, then writing patterns.  

No time to spin or weave, and barely enough time for housework!  I figure if the bathroom and kitchen are kept clean, the rest can wait until one of us can get to it.  

Cooking, however, I don’t take shortcuts on, as we have been eating only home cooked meals for many years, esp. as I need a very low salt diet, but also, eating out is pricey, and neither of us is into eating junk food.  Today’s dinner recipe is below.

Just yesterday, we were out doing a few errands and trying to find hubby a new easy chair, as his is worn down enough to make him uncomfortable, and as he has enough pains, it’s important to alleviate body stresses where we can.  

As he’s driving, and we’re chatting, I mentioned how much I love to chart new color designs, which he likened to being a kid who loved to color.  Perhaps, although charting software means we can create many versions until we find the one(s) we like best, without ever having to erase anything.   I never tire of it!

So, as soon as I got dinner on a simmer and took photos, it’s back to the computer, until I need to rest and get my feet up, then I knit on new design samples.

Honey Mustard Chicken
This has become our new favorite chicken dish.  One day I was trying to think of something new to cook, as although shake and bake chicken is easy, I am now needing my chicken ro be softer. What came to mind is the honey mustard viniagrette I make for summer green salads, even on chopped salads, and I thought, “why not?”

The recipe is easily adjusted to a smaller or larger # of chicken thighs.

Ingredients
4 chicken thighs, skin removed and trimmed of fat
1/2 lg sweet onion, like Vidalia, rough chopped
a handful of flour with S/P mixed in
olive oil
honey
mustard - we tend to have spicy brown mustard on hand, although I prefer Dijon
no-salt or low-salt chicken stock, almost a quart, bought or made
lemon juice - bottled is fine
white wine - optional, we can sometimes have a semi-sweet Riesling on hand
thyme, chives, parsley, garlic powder
cornstarch

Easy Homemade Vegetable/Chicken Stock
We always have a gallon Ziploc on the freezer door, to hold fresh or already cooked chicken bones, and veg scraps, always onion skins, carrot ends, and celery trimmings, sometimes also zucchini and mushroom trimmings.  When the bag is at least half full, into a stock pot they go, then cover with filtered water.  Bring to a boil, then simmer at least 30 mins.  Strain.  If I’m not using it all that day, it gets refrigerated until the next day, then  poured into ice cube trays to freeze, then into a freezer bag.

Toss the chicken in the flour mix, shake off excess and sauté in a generous amount of olive oil. (A splatter screen helps.)  Brown both sides.  Remove temporarily to a clean bowl.

Add the chopped onion, lower the heat a bit and sauté until somewhat softer and browned.

Pour in the stock - stand back as you pour into a hot pan!  Add a good squirt of lemon juice and a splash of white wine.

Scrape up any brown pan bits, add the honey and mustard - several TBLs of each, and the herbs and garlic powder, all to taste.  Don’t add the cornstarch.  Stir to blend.

I like a lot of flavor in the sauce, especially when pouring it over egg noodles, which soak up the flavor!

Add the chicken back to the pan, replace the splatter screen or a lid if you prefer, and simmer for 30-40 mins.

To thicken the sauce - put 1 heaping TBL cornstarch into a cup or small bowl, add a little filtered water (not hot water), then stir into a slurry.  Drizzle it into the pan a bit at a time while bringing the pan to a boil. Stop when it’s thickened to your liking.

Bon Appétit!

How EZ Always Brings Me to My Senses!

For the past couple of weeks I’ve been knitting up samples and beginning the pattern writing for a new collection, then I got stuck with one design.  

Three pattern reps (of 2 cable stitch patterns) worked well enough at a larger gauge, but then I wanted a 2nd sample in a thinner yarn and spent a couple days fighting with it.  I tried 4 reps with this thinner yarn.  Of course, it works, but the resultant size would be too large for the intended purpose, and 3 reps would be too small.  I then substituted a different cable for one that I used in the first sample, but I didn’t like the look of it.

No matter how much I wanted to use this particular yarn with these particular stitch patterns, it would not work.

Finally, I remembered an anecdote by Elizabeth Zimmermann, in her Spun Out #11 “Fisherman’s Guernseys”, where she talks about how she admired Mrs. Laidlaw’s guernsey pattern in Gladys Thompson’s book, “Patterns for Guernseys, Jerseys, & Arans”, except whatever yarn Gladys had used allowed her to get 10 sts/1” in pattern.  Elizabeth picked up size 0 ndls and Homespun wool, and, naturally, couldn’t get any tighter than 6 sts/1”.   Gladys must have been using fingering wt. wool, not worsted wt.

LOL, this reminded me that yarn can not always do what we want it to do, just because we wish it to do so!   Of course, after 3 decades knitting and designing, I do know this, but even seasoned knitters can fall into the trap of fruitlessly trying to make a yarn fit the bill.

In the end, I acknowledged that if I wish to make a 2nd design sample with 4 reps in that particular pair of stitch patterns, I will need to use a sport wt. or, possibly, a DK wt yarn.  

I put that design temporarily on hold and CO another color work design, which always soothes me and flies off the ndls!

Which reminds me of another of Elizabeth’s anecdotes about being in a boat knitting, whilst her Gaffer fished, making the first ever Aran sweater, for Vogue, if I remember correctly, and how it felt to her like her hands had done it before, long ago, in another life, on another shore.  I know that feeling well.  I feel it when I weave, spin, and when I knit, especially color patterns.  The hands remember, even if we don’t.

May your yarn always give the correct gauge, and suit its desired purpose!
Dawn