A Hon's Duty

Visual Soundtrack at The Loop #8

Carole King, "Tapestry"

Tapestry Needles from Clover and Prym

Connexion: Tapestry

My Art Deco Sweater

I designed this using my Duct Tape Judy. I didn’t realise that she has broader shoulders than I.

photo courtesy NSCAD, Halifax

After months of depression I concluded that without the heart to reknit the arm and shoulder shaping, I would have to fiddle. Call it a nod to Make Do & Mend. The shoulders are cinched in using a twined length of the project yarn (Inca Gold from Berroco) tied in bows. I like it for now; it's so very period. I may try this trick on old cashmere sweaters that are maybe a little too big. No shoulder pads were used which was a bit of a disappointment as I'm writing a epic tutorial on puffs and padding.

The stitch pattern was found in Barbra Walker’s Second Treasury; “Fancy Chevrons”. The slip stitch pattern uses garter stitch bumps which really show off the yarn. It has a sheen to it and shows texture well.

Although I made up the body, the sleeve shape was lifted and reworked from “When Your Off Duty”, a jumper from the V&A’s war-time pattern collection.

photo courtesy Victoria & Albert Museum, originally published in Woman's Weekly July 1943

Reworking the '40s instructions from a 4ply jumper weight to a modern worsted weight yarn, with gauge given without a row gauge and for a lace stitch pattern, where I was using a ribbed section of the pattern made charting these sleeves a puzzle but, I have to admit, pretty fun.

A ribbed sleeve is a mysterious thing, especially when a puff or peak is intended. If I do re-knit the shoulder/armseye, then I will treat the head of the sleeve properly. It should be blocked and set into shape, perhaps over a lightbulb, and it may need to be supported by padding.

Yarn Bombing Challenge

Last summer we were tagged by mystery yarn bombers. We loved it!
Your new Challenge: Get us this summer with a romantic clue to your identity.




Are these our Bombers?

Visual Soundtrack at The Loop #7

"Gaite Parisienne"

Filatura, 'Opera D'arte'

Connexion: Thrilling Ruffles

Knitting With The Archies #2

La Ruota Della Fortuna

On the Ferris wheel of Zaub it's an up and down ride. We love Schoppel Wolle's Zauberballs. We carry all the types we can get in. Straight up Zauberball is the single ply fingering weight. Crazy (which does not mean that the other Zaubs are in any way sane) is the 2 ply fingering weight, plying two singles at different points in their colour sequence. We have also carried their lace weight which is akin to the non-crazy but still coo coo sock weight. We are now carrying their 6 ply (Stärke 6) which is a sport weight which uses the same plying technique as the Crazy sock weight.

Everyone loves Zauberballs and we have several customers who are on our books to receive 'Zaubalerts' when new colours come in. Trouble is it's hard to get. If you covet this yarn too, consider joining our Zaub Club, adding your name to our list of Zauberball lovers. You'll get a call as soon as it arrives and can have first pick of the colourways.

Knitting With The Archies #1

Visual Soundtrack at The Loop #6

Joe Jackson, "Look Sharp"

DMC and Clover Needles

Connexion: Sharp

Visual Soundtrack at The Loop #5

Miles Davis, "Kind of Blue"

Manos Del Uruguay yarns, Solids and Variegated

Connexion: Blue...kind of