Shawl Update

I’m still trying to knock out a persistent spring cold, so I’m going to keep this short and sweet before I fall asleep again. Thanks to your lovely poll votes (and the bride’s input, of course) I finally decided on a yarn for the shawl I’m going to make. I went with Gloss Lace in Sterling, a neutral grey color. I’ve worked with the Aran version of this yarn before,

Pole in Gloss HW

and it feels incredible, so I’m looking forward to working with its lace cousin. The yarn also has a nice subtle sheen, thanks to the 30% silk. I’m hoping that’ll contribute to making the shawl read more as “silver” and less as “grey”. Now to choose beads!

Warm Weather Knitting

Wow, I am impressed at how enthusiastic you guys were about yesterday’s contest! I will have to do another scavenger hunt in the future! I was a little worried there wouldn’t be much response since many people stop knitting as the weather warms, and my sales typically dip then too. Clearly I am not the only one who continues to knit voraciously in spring and summer! What do you like to knit this time of year? For me…

1. Shawls

 

Ironically, I don’t really wear shawls that much. I LOVE to knit them though. They’re lighter and more delicate than say, a cabled sweater, so they’re great for knitting when it’s warm out. If you’re a shawl-wearer, they’re also immediately wearable in the springtime. For me, unless I’m knitting for a special event (like the upcoming new design for a friend’s wedding), I tend to wind up giving my shawls to a friend or relative. They’re one of the only things I knit that are more about process than product.

2. Tank Tops

For a while I was seriously skeptical about knitted summer shirts. Something about knitwear and summer just seemed mutually exclusive. Then I discovered linen. From there it progressed to cotton, silk, bamboo…there’s just no stopping me! Sleeveless tops knit up fast, even with thin, light-weight yarns. They don’t weigh much or make you sweat as they sit in your lap mid-project. AND…instant wearability! While central air-conditioning does allow me to knit long-sleeved pullovers and blankets in the summer, there’s nothing quite like the reward of putting on a piece fresh from the blocking board.

3. Socks

 

No, I’m not going to wear these right away. In fact, I try to wear as little on my feet as possible, for as much of the year as possible. However, the cold weather will return eventually, and it’s always nice to have a fresh new pile of socks waiting for me when that happens. Socks are fast, light, and easy to stuff in a purse or carry-on when I’m traveling (as I tend to in the summer). Again, they’re small and not going to make me sweaty while I knit them.

I’ve also very recently discovered a serious affection for summery cardigans, thanks to a phenomenon I call the Summer Deep Freeze. Sometimes American businesses are just a little too enthusiastic about air conditioning for my taste. My school seems to be especially guilty of this, so look for a lot of new cardigans to come from me!

P.S. If you can’t tell from the photos, yes, the seasons do influence my color cravings. Spring means greeeeeeeeeen!

Leonardtown

I know it’s only been a couple weeks since I released Misty Morning, but I am too excited by the return of Spring to hold off on this one! So, I am very happy to introduce Leonardtown!

Leonardtown, by Christina Loman

The rectangular lace shawl is absolutely perfect for this time of year, when it can be so sunny and gorgeous out you can’t even think of staying inside, but there’s still just enough chill in the air that bare shoulders just won’t work.

A bit of cozy merino is just what the doctor (Mother Nature?) called for. The size of the repeat on the Vine Lace may look intimidating at first, but it’s actually quite memorizable and surprisingly intuitive. It becomes almost meditative after a while. I’m sure it’ll impress the idle viewer though!

The simple garter edging and picot cast-on and bind-off also add interest and stability to the shawl. No monotony here! So be sure to check out Leonardtown, and join in the fun! I’ve chosen to knit the sample in green because, well, Spring. In my mind, there is no greater color than green this time of year. What color will you choose?

Messy Blocking

 

There is a lace shawl blocking under that blanket. Again. I suspect from this picture you can guess exactly why it’s blocking under a blanket this time.

A Mission

I have a mission for my readers (and myself). My best friend is getting married in September, and since we will likely be outside for at least part of her evening reception, I’d like to make myself a nice, lacy shawl. The catch is it needs to go with my bridesmaid dress. I already have the perfect beads to use as an accent, but I think I want the actual yarn to be as close to the color of the dress as possible. We’re wearing David’s Bridal’s Regency color, and satin, if anyone’s ever seen it in person before. For anyone who hasn’t, it’s roughly royal purple. There are lots of royal purple yarns out there, but I don’t even begin to know what yarn is closest in color, except that it’s none of the ones at my LYS. I’m not sure I’m quite confident enough in my dyeing abilities to make that shade of purple myself. Anyone have any experience here?

The Summer Deep Freeze

Summer is upon us, and for a lot of knitters that means putting away the knitting and the knitwear for the next 3 months. For some of us, though, the deep freeze is only just beginning.

I love my sweaters in the winter, and certainly have a go-to stash of them I wear all winter long. I also have several extra-warm pullovers for the rare day I get to spend mostly outside. Those sweaters do go away once the weather warms up in March or so. However, American businesses really love their air conditioning, so summer around here is also known as the Season of the Cardigan.

(Pattern Mythos by Laura Nelkin)

Whether I’m spending the day at work and need something professional, as above, or just going out to play, as below, I spend almost as much of the summer in long sleeves as I do the winter.

(Pattern Indigo Playmate by Wendy Bernard)

I prefer cardigans over other alternatives because they’re easier to remove than say, pullovers, but more likely to stay put when I’m moving around than say, shawls. The “easy to remove” part is vital because while I may be shivering at my desk, the second I step outside it’s over 90 again. Factor in East Coast humidity, and the quick-change is an absolute must.

(Pattern Vine Lance Shrug by Cindy DiDonato)

For fancier occasions (indoor weddings; dinner at a nice restaurant) shawls are also a good choice.

(Pattern April Showers by Christina Loman)

As a bonus, a lace shawl can usually be crunched down to fit in my purse when we go outside.

(Pattern Swallowtail Shawl by Evelyn A. Clark)

It’s cold out (in) there folks. Be prepared!

(Pattern Sea Spray by Christina Loman)

April Showers

Spring has sprung! Around here, that means plenty of flowers and luscious greens. Unfortunately, it also means rain. 

This is the kind of rain I don’t mind though. In winter, I hate the cold, cold rain with a fiery passion. Well, as much fiery passion as that much dark and dreary will allow. Warm-month rain is different though. The mild, gentle rains of spring and steamy, explosive storms of summer seem happier and more friendly, somehow. Maybe it’s the knowledge that when it’s over, there will be warm, glorious sun on my shoulders. Maybe it’s the knowledge that all this rain feeds the lovely dogwood and magnolias, or that the alternating rain and hot sun leads to fat, juicy berries come summer. But whatever it is, I love warm month rain.

Warm, spring rain is what inspired my latest design – the aptly named “April Showers“. 

I think the rain-like streaks of the body and the bright, sunny daisies at the end do a good job of emulating Spring in Virginia. When the rain here gets just a little too chilly and winter-like, I can wrap this shawl tight around my shoulders and it’s like wrapping myself in a little bit of Spring. I love it!