I just got this book, Reversible Knitting by Lynne Barr, from Barnes and Noble here in Chicago, and I immediately fell in love with it. I haven't attempted any stitch yet, but there are 50 reversible stitches are simply irresistible! Plus, at the end of the book there are also some designer's patterns. Lovely!
I'll try immediately to make a scarf with the Norah Gaugan sweather reversible pattern on the cover!
I Love this book. It's beautiful and full of challenges. One, my personal defy, is the "Driftin Pleats" scarf on page 30. I LOVE the look of this scarpe and I've been trying to make one since last winter. The set up pleats explanation isn't that easy to get, and the DP needles are always turning.
Yesterday, though, I tried for the third time, this time I was knitting on my bed, and it was maybe the positon maybe the concentration, maybe the cotton yarn (instead of wool) but I did complete the setup pleats!! I am so proud! Now unfortunately the yarn I choose this thime is a bit thinn and the scarf will be a bit small, but if I make it, maybe next time I will be able to make one in wool to, I hope pretty as this one by bluegarter.knits
The author has a lovely sense of humour. I wouldn't define this book a pattern book, it's more a philosophy book of knitting. I love Zimmerman's way of saying things and the fact that she didn't like to seam either, makes me love her even more.
I think I'll buy her other oeuvres as soon as i get to the US ;-)
Yesterday I finally received the lovely book 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders I've ordered on Amazon.com a month ago!
The book is as good as I expected, though most of the patterns use 100 gr skeins and sometimes even cones (isn't it cheating a bit?), and I have loads of 50 gr singles. Anyway I'm sure I'll find a way.
I've just started a lovely lacy hat, I'll post pics as soon as is finished.
On the Clapotis front, I'm progressing and happy with the pattern that is definitely longer that i expected, but right now is pretty promising I hope the result will pay :-)
Hi everybody, I realize today that almost a month passed since I last wrote on this blog, lazy me! I must admit that I haven't progressed a lot while working from beautiful Umbria.
Instead of knitting and crocheting I've been using my free time to read and I definitely discovered that reading and knitting don't get along easily when you just have evenings to dedicate to yourself.
Anyway I don't complain, I've been discovering some authors that I really enjoyed: the French Fred Vargas, the Italian Gianrico Carofiglio and the British Eric Ambler.
Now that I'm back in Milan, though, I went back to my favorite hobby and hope to have soon progresses to show you here!
This winter is pretty bizarre. Since December I've traveled a bit around Europe always finding sunny days and warm weather. Last month, passing the Alps I couldn't see a bit of snow. How weird. I mean it's pretty cool, because the weather is really mild, but very strange.
Anyway all this warm weather makes me want to make plenty of ponchos!
And once again I go back to Viva Poncho looking for inspiration. What about the pinky one? And the beige with a collar? It's so hard to choose!!!
Thanks to the marvelous creativity of Nekoyama, and the gentle translation of her amigurumi cat pattern from Japanese to English I could finally make my Amineko too! :-D
I fell in love with this great amigurumi last year, I even tried to make my cat from the Japanese pattern,without success. But recently, checking out the website for new pics I saw that the pattern was translated and, hurray, I could finally try to make an Amineko too!
The pics the author takes of the Aminekos are simply awesome, I'm seriously thinking of buying the book, it must be great. In the meanwhile I'm taking some pics of my new kitty-friend and I'm making another one for my sister.
I named my new friend NAMI, which means "wave", because he was born by the sea ;-)
"Hello" says Nami to all of you!
Looking inside the book "Viva Poncho", that I often use as inspiration, I found the lovely "Desiree Poncho" (in the pic in pink), and I found this Brioche stitch pattern very very nice, perfect of a scarf made with the new Rowan Polar yarn I just bought on eBay. So I tried.
The pattern looked very easy:
Co multiples of 3 sts
Found Row: *yo, sl 1, k1*
1st Row: *yo, sl 1, k2tog*
Repeat 1st row for pattern.
Simple isn't it? Well it is SO elementary that it's impossible to figure it out. How do you start a row with a yarn over? And how do you yarn over? When it says Slip 1, it is knitwise or purlwise? The number of sts will double from found row and row 1?
It took me a whole day of research on the web, I've found 1000 explanation but none clear and understandable. So I tried every possible combination, knitting and undoing what I had knitted, over and over again. The pattern was always a mess... until now!
I finally got it!!! I am so happy that I want to share my experience with you, so that from now on if you find a brioche stitch (or brioche rib) pattern you'll know how to do it without going crazy :-)
Here some tips I figured out:
1. YO = Yarn over in this pattern does not mean a usual yarn over, as if to make 1. But it means bring yarn forward, toward you. And keep it in front of you as if to purl. So you'll always start your row with the yarn in front of you. Then you'll slip one stitch as follows.
2. Sl 1 = Because the Brioche stitch is a rib pattern, which usually alternates knits and purls, I figured that slip 1, meant slip 1 as if to purl, because after that you always knit.
3. K2tog = Because the yarn is in front of you as if to purl, when you'll knit the next 2 sts tog (or k1 in found row) you'll bring naturally the yarn back, making a new st crossed above the slipped st (you'll knit them tog on the next row). You always knit together 2 crossed sts (a slipped one from precedent row and the stitch you made bringing the yarn back to knit). After knitting the sts, bring anew the yarn toward you (yo in the pattern) and restart.
3. Foundation row = Begin as it follows (this tip comes from Viva Poncho): Bring Yarn forward (yo), slip 1 (purlwise), k2tog, then continue as in pattern, *yo (=bring yarn forward), sl 1 (purlwise), k1*. If you follow this tip count one more stitch to the multiples of 3 sts.
So, after all this tying change the pattern as it follows:
yo -> Yf= Bring yarn forward as if to purl
sl1 -> Sl1p= Slip 1 purlwise
Cast on multiple of 3 sts (+1 if you follow the Viva Poncho Tip on foundation row)
Foundation row: (Yf, Sl1p, k2tog;) *yf, sl1p, k1*. Repeat ** till the end of row
Row 1: *yf, sl1p, k2tog*. Repeat **
Repeat row 1 for pattern
I hope I've helped some of you to figure this pattern out, because now that I got it, it goes really fast and the texture of the ribs obtained is fluffy and exquisite. Here's an example of the Brioche rib in Polar Combat (click to enlarge).
Happy Knitting!
ITALIAN UPDATE:
A grande richiesta aggiungo la spiegazione anche in italiano. Con un'avvertenza, prima di iniziare uno schema impratichitevi un po' con il punto. E' molto bello e veloce, ma difficilissimo da recuperare in caso di errore. Per cui meglio fare 2-3 prove prima di partire con la sciarpa o il poncho.
Monta maglie multiple di 3
Primo rigo di fondazione: *porta il filo verso di te (come se dovessi fare un rovescio), fai scivolare 1 maglia come se dovessi lavorarla a rovescio, lavora 1 maglia al dritto**. Ripeti da * a **
NB: quando lavori la maglia al dritto crei un incrocio col filo che hai precedentemente portato in avanti.
Rigo 1: *porta il filo verso di te (come se dovessi fare un rovescio), fai scivolare 1 maglia come se dovessi lavorarla a rovescio, lavora 2 maglie insieme al dritto*. Ripeti da * a **.
NB: Le due maglie che lavori insieme sono incrociate, perché una delle due è quella che hai creato all'andata.
Ripeti il rigo 1
This could be my codename in a few years ;-)
I'm coming back, after all the stress and pressure I've decided to take a break, just focusing on me and my healt. Of course crocheting and knitting are part of the ure, and I've started crocheting a pillow, using the 200 Crochet Blocks book, once again. But this time I'mm make it very fast, I feel motovated :-))) I'll post a pic asap, I'using the "Granny with a twist" square pattern.
Best wishes!
Here's the pics I promised:
Here it comes, along with summertime and holidays: my blanket for the 200 squares CAL (it's never too late isn't it?!). I have chosen the orange/red/blue one at the beginning of the book, because is the only one I can make with the odd skeins that I have inherited from my friend's grandma. I have started with the centerpiece:
and I'm making (very very slowly) my way up to the rest... I'll keep you posted. 
In the meantime I came back to France to spend summer with my recovering mum, who's doing great. My boyfriend and I have left California for good and we'll be back in NY in September, right on time to enjoy the falling leaves... And the first snowstorm!!!
Since I got the book 200 Crochet Blocks I've started crocheting like crazy using all the small amounts of leftover yarn that I had, thinking about making some squares for a pillow cover. I chose the squares patterns randomly, just for fun, and here are the results.
As you can see, the single squares are pretty, but they don't really get along one with the other. So now I have 8 squares and I don't know what to do with them!!! :-/ Maybe some potholders...?
If I haven't been wise with my crochet squares, luckily the knitting is going a bit better. I've been progressing a lot with my mom's poncho. While I was knitting it, I've realized why I never star big projects and I usually prefer to work on smaller item. I love to switch from one type of yarn to the other. I'm a single-skein crocheter/knitter. I love changing continuously gauge, hooks, and patterns. With such a big project the creative part is soon over and the rest of the work is just the same, every row... Kind of boring. Said that, I LOVE how the poncho is proceeding. It will be so rich, soft and warm! :-)
That's it I wanted to try felting so long, and finally I did it. I don't have a washing machine so I tried by hand. At the end of the process my hands were way more ruined than the little purse I was trying to felt, or I should say full (see difference here), but in the end something happened. I'm not sure I should redo the process to shrink it more, but I guess I won't. 
I used Cascade 220 yarn in pink (col 7805), Dawn dish soap, ultra hot water and a bowl of very cold water. Passing from one to the other for at least 15-20 mins. This was my rehearsal before starting the "booga bag" I'm planning to knit. What do you think? Should I re-felt it to have a more compact texture?
I've also progressed a little with my mom's poncho, I've finished the collar and now started the body. I hope I'll make it in time for Easter!!! Hopefully I can count on my cat's help... as usual ;-) This reminds me I have to finish my sister's Amigurumi dog!! I'm running so late in all the projects!!!
Finally, on e-Bay I bought the "Amigurumi Collection vol. 1" book, and to be sincere I was expecting something more. I mean all the amigurumi are made using the same technique (rounds increased 6 sts per row), so the book is kind of superfluous, anyway the pictures are cute and the animals in it definitely nice.
Finally all my bidding on e-Bay gave some results. I've received the fantastic, marvelous, wonderful, outstanding Boyle Needle master. Yooohoooo! I LOOOVE it, and even if I'm a very bad knitter, I don't care I wanna knit the world with my needlemaster!!!
I already started to knit a pillow cover, and I already can see that the results will be very poor... But who cares!? My next step will be knitting a poncho from the lovely book "Viva Poncho", I've chosen this one, it's called ELEANOR. Isn't it lovely? I'll do it for my mom. 
My only problem now is buying the Rowan Polar yarn necessary for the project, and apparently is not easy, not even on e-Bay. I thought I made it today, but at the very last 20 sec on the auction someone bided 1 dollar more than me and got the yarn :-(
I guess, I'll try again... or I'll go to Article Pract in Oakland and ask for a substitute yarn...
Yesterday I was in one of my missions at Barnes and Noble to have a sneaky look at a few crochet and knitting patterns from various (too expensive) books... In this wandering I bumped into "200 Crochet Blocks" by Jan Eaton. It was love at first sight! I LOVE this book and I bought it even if it costs a fortune, but, hey, it's totally worth!
I immediately started to use all my leftover yarns, finally. And I'll be making a pretty ton-sur-ton pillow. Look at this, I'm using all the blue yarns that I had in small amounts. I love this first two squares that I've made, aren't they nice?
I've also progressed a little with the Amigurumi bull terrier that I'm making for my sister. Since then I've made the head, the small body and one ear. Little by little I'll go on. Sure I've been distracted lately by the Olympic games, I'm so crazy about Figure Ice Skating that I spend a big part of my day looking for videos online. I've also worked a little (finally) so I'm running late on some projects.
Online I have also found a Gadget for you crochet-geek girlfriends. Look at these "felted icons" they are so cute you have to download it. This icons are perfect for my crochet folders!!!
Oh yes, St. Valentine is approaching, and because I live very far from my friends I always have to think about presents with a lot of anticipation.
In Italy St. Valentine is not a big deal, we just expect some chocolates or small presents coming from our boyfriends (things that never come...) but we don't really send cards to friends and stuff.
Because I'm here in the US, though, I thought: "this year I will send a couple of St valentine's cards". But I didn't want to send just a card so I made this scarf for my dear friend Sabina, in Rome. Hope she gets it in time!
I also sent this book to my friend Puli, who lives in London, and wants lo learn crochet. I hope that she gets into it, because once you start crocheting it's so funny!!
I have decided to face a new challenge: Filet Crochet. Basically I wanted to make a little curtain for the kitchen window. So I went to Lacis, in Berkeley, and spent there like 2 hours asking thousands of questions, to a very very nice and patient young lady. After all the talking I felt discouraged by the tiny tiny sizes of filet hooks (so small I almost couldn't see the hook!) and the yarns. So I bought a very nice curtain and thought about it a little bit.
I didn't want to give up, though, so the day after I went to Barnes & Noble and found this book: A Creative Guide to Crochet, full of nice and easy projects for filet crochet. So I said to myself: you can do it! And I came back to Lacis, bought some yarn and a US 7/1,5mm hook and started a filet traycloth with snowflakes motif... So far I already made a big mistake, but I will go on until it's done!!!
Winter is approaching and scarves are always welcome. I love making scarves, it's fast, easy and in the end you have an item that you'll use a lot!
Recently I've made 5, for me, my family and friends.
The first one was made with this Superfine baby alpaca beautiful orange yarn, named Mammoth, that I've found at Artfibers in San Francisco. I worked a Diagonal Rib pattern, found on About.com using knitting needles n.15/10.00 mm and casting on 8 stitches. The result is a very long, extra-soft and extra-warm scarf, which became immediately one of my favorites.
I wasn't totally satisfied of the pattern, though, so I've used the second skein of Mammoth, in dark red, to make my mother a slightly different Christmas scarf. I've casted on 8 stitches and modified the pattern this way:
Row 1: *k2 p2*
Row 2: p1, *k2 p2*, p1
Row 3: *p2 k2*
Row 4: k1, *p2 k2*, k1
Rep rows 1-4
Obtaining more horizontal diagonal stripes. I've finished the scarf crocheting the edges with a beautiful purple extrafine merino wool. The result is simply elegant and fashion. I should have taken a picture but I had to send the scarf very fast as my mom could get it for Christmas.
For one of my most beloved best friends I have crocheted a very simple yet showy Mohair scarf. I've found the pattern on the book "Cozy Crochet". Unfortunately the picture couldn't capture the beauty of the pattern and all the colors of this great Di.Ve Mohair with nuances that go from dark red to purple.
After that I've also finished my boyfriend scarf made in beautiful baby alpaca. I've worked a very simple vertical rib "k3, p3", and I'm very happy with the results.
To finish, I've made this holiday cachecol white and red. I've used the Fuzzy Galore's V-ery easy scarf pattern. Adding a single-crochet red edge and closing the short scarf with a red button. Isn't it fancy? :-)
My work is progressing a little bit. I'm almost done with all the Christmas presents. 
I've done a couple of flowers pins, a playing ball for my dad's cats (my kitty seems to enjoy it), a really lovely mohair scarf, a sunflower potholder and even a pair of baby boots for the newborn of a couple of friends in Chicago. 
I hope They'll like it, it's a sort of Robin Hood style! I have used a nice pattern in the book Cozy Crochet.
I've also bought 2 skeins of incredibly soft baby alpaca bulky yarn at Artfibers, it's called Mammoth and it is incredibly soft and warm. 
I made a brim hat this morning but somehow the yarn is too thick and it didn't look right, so I undid it (I should have taken a pic...) and now I'm using the same yarn to make a purse.
I like the "felted" effect that this soft yarn has, but at the same time it seems a bit silly using baby alpaca for a purse... Anyway. This is how the texture looks like. Very thick and messy.
I made this three baskets using some ideas I found in "Simple Crochet". I combined kitchen twine and cotton or wool yarn.
The first one is worked all in single crochet, starting with a circular base, increased every 2 rows. Isn't it great? I cannot believe I did a basket with a crochet!!! 
The white and orange is a mini-basket for my ponytail holders. I made it with kitchen twine and Gjestal Wood (got it in elan.com. Not very soft but great texture)
And the last one is an experiment. Made with hemp and cotton yarn is worked in double crochet.
I am so proud of myself!! :-D
