and so it begins…
Of all things knitting, last year had to be the Year of the KAL. They were everywhere – I jumped in feet first on Alison’s February Fix-a-Thon and the Martha KAL over at Jessica’s Rose-Kim Knits…
Why KAL? I would say it all boils down to one word: ENERGY.
Being in a group of like-minded people, attempting a challenge to a finish is just the Ultimate Needle Team Sport. It motivates; it inspires; and it can bail your frilly fanny out (ahem, the LaceForAllSeasons that I lurked on to make my first shawl, hi Wendy, happy belated birthday!) when you get stuck. And, yes, I’ll admit it. I get stuck quite often. And people were always there to give me their individual/collective wisdom to grease my sticky needles along. Thank You! oooxxx
There is not one project that I’ve made that I didn’t benefit from the Feedback of others.
Ahhh… The Butterfly KAL: I spied this beautiful camisole fashioned by the lovely Eilene early on but just didn’t have the time to join in…
Little skeins of something called Kidsilk Haze snuck into my Stash whenever I wasn’t looking until finally, this posting by the Skinny Rabbit herself tipped the scales. She was wearing it the way I could envision myself wearing it – over another (long-sleeved) top.
I had to do it.
But I couldn’t. Just didn’t have the time – even though I’m determined to make more lace…
But I could make this, a little ChicKami, using the KSH. It wouldn’t have the lacy drama of the Butterfly, but it would have the *L@@K* – a sheer vest, a simple frosting effect.
I fired up the machine and made some swatches.
This, IMHO, is the most important part of the process ever. It is the Blue Print, the definition of the building blocks you use to fashion that *wall* that sheet of fiber that becomes your fabric. It probably comes as no surprise that I have a dressmaking background – and I usually approach knitting as a way to make fabric. Here you see the personality of the gauge (20/28) working with the strand itself – sheer but by nature of the mohair, dense enough to carry it off.. (The white borders are the waste yarn you use to start a piece when you machine knit.)
AH and what fabric a piece of knitting is.
It is alive. Not only is it shaped in progress, it has an inherent organic flexible quality that woven fabric never achieves, a quality that mimics the body shape it is worn on allowing us, if we pay it its proper homage will repay us in spades.
Up she goes on the dress form to see if it can really seal the deal. This is knit using Rowan Kidsilk Haze in the Spray version – color #572 Pebbles. The pooling is intriguingly different on the front and back pieces. I cannot describe how delicious this piece feels – but it is both substantial and gossamer…
What a lovely idea. I still haven’t even seen any of that Kidsilk Spray — nice to see it knit up. It looks soft and fuzzy and like it has a lot of interesting color depth.
I like the way it looks. I need to try this Kidsilk Spray.
I am ordering my knitting machine tonight. I can’t wait to give it a go. When you remove the waste yarn, will you be ready to graft?
Gorgeous. I finally get to see the Spray knit up. I bet that would look fab over a tight black shirt (too cold for it to go solo for me).
Heh. And I didn’t even know you were lurking on the lace list!
Is it a trick of the camera, or did the yarn pool in a weird stripe around the stomach?
I keep hearing rumors of this Kidsilk, but I’ve yet to get my fingers on any. It always seems so lovely…
OMG, I have got to get my knitting machine out. Time is never on my side, and it’s a shame to let such a useful piece of equipment gather dust in the garage.
Thanks for the inspiration. Again!
Oh…it is breathtaking!
Darn you, Ms B-M for making me want a knitting machine again. The gauziness of KSH knits up like a dream on it!
No trick, Imb – variegated yarn always pools somewhere – it’s a function of the stuff. I rather like the effect around the waist – although I will have it in the back – it will almost be like a faux belt…
No Grafting: the white yarn, once removed, leaves live stitches. I put these stitches back on a hand-knitting needle and finish with the edging of my choosing.
Wow that looks great! Are you going to add any beads? The beads are what are calling me to the butterfly, KSH and beads a magical combo. Hmm… must go fondle the stash now.
I love watching your knitting process and see them turn into gorgeous FOs. I’m still in love with this particular maroon cardi that you knitted last year and now I have a new love, that beautiful maroon Chinese collar top. Thanks for sharing your knitting, here’s to another good year of knits.
Happy New Year!! Very beautiful! Love your Knitting! I’m still a beginner knitter, been knitting since April 2005. You inspire me to learn more about knitting.
i like it too, except for those two puddles of non-color, I just can’t hang with those. But that is just me.
I knew it! Or, I was wondering anyway.
Your approach to knitting, to me, seamed like you had a background in dressmaking.
I love the fact that knitting kills two birds with one stone