Just got a new book in the mail. This one is by Alison Jeppson Hyde and is titled "Wrapped in Comfort" She has some lovely circular shawls as well as scarf patterns using larger sized needles (US 9 or US 10 on average) and the shawls are very graceful and pretty. They are designed so they will stay on the shoulders and the instructions are both written and charted for those who have a preference. The patterns are graded from beginner lace to experienced and most all the patterns have a "story" attached to them explaining how they came to be. Though I'm currently knitting on smaller needles, these pattern are very appealing and I'm guessing the larger gage would make the knitting go pretty quickly. I just have to go look at my stash. I'm going to refrain from buying more yarn for now and "shop" from my stash for yarns for projects instead as suggested on the podcast "Stash and Burn" (see sidebar). Besides. I'm spinning yarn too. I almost have one bobbin filled with a single in the green merino/silk. It's not too bad so far. Let's hope I have developed the patience to ply the way I should.
16 comments:
You are showing off with the dime, Jane. Nobody should be able to spin that fine :) It certainly looks gorgeous though! Miss Alice will be your slave forever after she gets her yarn.
don't think I can handle needles larger than size 5 anymore. But I'll take a peek when I get to a US bookstore.
That's a very inspiring book. At least the pictures you've shown of it are, anyway.
ooh! another shawl pattern book! just what i need. ha!
where did you get your copy? amazon still has it on pre-order even though the release date is 6/11.
Dear fleegle,
I don't think I can actually knit them on size US 9 or US 10 eiteher but I might try them on US 6 and just make adjustments to the patterns so I can use the smaller gage. Lace is very forgiving:-)
Dear Carol,
It is has some nice patterns inside as well. I only photographed the cover shots for the blog. I don't know if it is OK to reproduce shots from inside the book or not. I still have to finish stuff before I start anything new and I know what my next few shawls will be so it will be awhile before I can do anything from the book.
Dear Opal,
I pre-ordered from Amazon and it came on Friday! It may say pre-order, but they are shipping now. I think it's a good idea to see one in person if you can wait. I bought it because I've checked out her blog and felt that the book would be something I would like. It definately has things I would knit for others and they would not be as time consuming as some of my other shawls.
ooooh--the yarn looks soooo pretty!!!
Your singles always amaze me. Even plied, I bet that yarn will still be microscopic. ;-)
Dear missalicefaye,
I hope this yarn is not too uneven for you to use. I almost have enough to do the two ply for you.
Dear beth s,
Not microscopic in the least. Remember, once I ply, it will loosen up and once I wash it it will fluff up so not so very thin after all of that :-) But thanks for the encouragement!
I've knitted the Bigfoot and the Nina shawls in there using one skein each of Fino, 70/30 baby alpaca/silk on size 7s. I got a wedding ring shawl out of those, even with the circular shape! Much smaller in all dimensions, but those shawls for the most part have that kind of leeway built into the pattern.
And I've done them with doubled strands of fine laceweight, which lays flatter than an equivalent fingering weight.
Meantime, thank you for the kind words on the book, and your yarn is absolutely gorgeous. I spin, and have for years, but I really can't do anything remotely like that. Wow.
Dear alisonh,
Thank you for the additional information on what you have used to knit these lovely shawl patterns. I have wonderful glass circular needles frim Sheila and Michale Ernest in size US 4-5 and I think I will be using those. I may be spinning thinner these days but I think I might trade if I could write lace patterns :-)
One of these days, I intend to do the Constance shawl in superfine laceweight and maybe size 4 needles, doubling the stitch count so that it works (it's got one of the smallest stitch counts in the main body.) I'm again wishing I could spin as fine as you do. Lovely stuff you've got there.
Dear alisonh,
I think the Constance shawl would be really beautiful in superfine laceweight but I have to say that your shawls would be lovely in any weight yarn at all. I think this would be a wonderful book for people who might be a little concerned about knitting lace for the first time. Maybe I will just knit one in a heavier weight yarn so everyone can see just how terrific it would be without having to resort to a gossamer weight yarn! Thanks for your comment. It's always welcomed. Hope the book is doing really really well :-)
Thank you very much! That's very kind of you. As for the book, Amazon and all the chains sold out the first week and had to re-order, so it seems to be doing pretty well. Yay!
Dear alisonh,
Yay! Selling out is very good for you but sad for those still waiting to get their copy. Wonder when the "powers that be" will get that people knit? I hope it sells out again!
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