Riga Market Gloves and the Knitting Tour that Inspired Them

 

Okay, so I haven't blogged in - gasp - 5 years.  I admit, I gave up on it.  I am normally not comfortable in the spotlight, and a blog certainly puts you "out there."  So why am I here blogging again?  I recently designed these lovely Riga Market Gloves, and the story behind their conception and creation is unique and just has to be told.

In the Spring of  2019, I had the pleasure of attending a knitting tour / workshop in Latvia and Estonia through NordicKnitters.com. 5 days of instruction in traditional Estonian knitting techniques was preceded by pre and post tour time on my own to explore Tallinn, Estonia and Riga, Latvia.  It was a knitter's dream vacation!

First of all, Tallinn is a beautiful historic town, with perfectly preserved medieval town walls and an eclectic variety of buildings reflecting past occupations by Germans, Swedes and Russians.  But that of course, is not what is exciting to a knitter.  No, what is really exciting are the numerous craft and handiwork stores selling ethnic hand knits. Wait, there's more! You can even find yarn and kits!

Riga was even more knitter-friendly. My visit happened to coincide with the annual Craft Fair at the Ethnographic museum.  Stall after stall of mittens, hats, gloves, jewelry, and delicious food.  Authentic Latvian knitwear was the number 1 souvenir!  It was here that I found a vendor who seemed to specialize in mittens and gloves with knitted fringe.  I was fascinated.  I bought a pair of each and determined to some day figure out how it was done.  

Fast forward 3 years and one pandemic later, I have reverse engineered my Latvian souvenir gloves.  Okay, mine are a bit simplified.  The originals had 3 rows of fringe and used 3 colors of yarn, and mine just have one row of fringe and 2 colors, but they are authentic in technique and style, and I love them.

If you are interested in knitting tours to Estonia, I highly recommend NordicKnitters.com. 

Great tours, great value, and highly knowledgable.

Celebrate Differences

I confess, I've been more preoccupied than usual with politics this last year.  I've watched in dismay the increase in partisanship and decline in civility in politics and social media.  There have been days when I want to scream, "Can't we all get along?" On those days, I turn to my knitting to relax and forget about the latest political posturing or Facebook rant.

Usually, I prefer to knit technically challenging projects, but my need to knit for relaxation inspired me to design something simple and nearly mindless.  So here I am, modeling my newest design, the Celebrate Differences shawl. It's my easiest pattern to date, nothing more than garter stitch and stockinette--pure relaxation knitting.  The name reflects my wish that we might respect our differences and celebrate diversity, but it also is a nod to the wonderful properties of the recommended yarn, Halo Bundle.

Halo Bundle is a new offering from the folks at Handmaiden and Fleece Artist.  It is really 2 of their existing yarns, Merino Slim and Angel Hair, that have been dyed together and bundled together into one neat package.  The two fine yarns can be knit together to yield a worsted weight yarn with a soft halo, or they can be knit separately for a lighter fabric with interesting textural contrasts.  In the shawl, I tried a little bit of both.  The borders are knit with both yarns held together, and the body of the shawl alternates bands of Merino Slim in stockinette with bands of Angel Hair in garter stitch.

The Celebrate Differences pattern can be downloaded from Ravelry here.  You will find a great selection of colors of Halo Bundle on my website here.

Oh, Canada!

My newest design, the Butchart Gardens Shawl, was inspired by a beautiful Canadian yarn and a world-famous Canadian garden. When I travel, my favorite thing to do after visiting local yarn shops is to tour local public gardens.  I fondly remember Butchart Gardens near Victoria, Vancouver Island, BC as having the most spectacular colorful flower borders.  And so, it was only natural that Butchart Gardens came to mind when I was trying to think of a name for the spectacular flower bordered shawl that I just finished making.

The shawl is knit in Handmaiden Fine Yarns' Sea Silk, a fingering weight yarn that I just started carrying in my online store. The yarn has gorgeous drape and is a joy to work with.

As I was finishing this shawl, news erupted of the terrible wildfires near Ft. McMurray. I was moved by the pictures on TV, and the idea came to me that perhaps my Canadian inspired shawl can help me do something to help Canada. I will be donating a portion of the proceeds from pattern sales to the Canadian Red Cross. I am also starting a knit along for this shawl in my Ravelry group, hoping that we can get a large group going and make a healthy donation.

Interestingly, and just by chance, the name of the
colorway that I used for my prototype is Phoenix.
Let us hope that is prophetic, and a sign that Ft. McMurray will soon rise from the ashes.

This link will take you to the Ravelry pattern page.

They Call Me the Great Pretender

Here is one of my favorite scarf patterns, The Pretender.  I designed this pattern in 2014, and I never got around to bragging (err, I mean blogging) about it.  In truth, while I love to show and tell my work, I am never quite comfortable with the shameless self-promotion of the blogosphere. However, such is the world we live in.  If I don't tell you about it, you will never know what a lovely little pattern it is. 

I called this pattern "The Pretender" because it pretends to be a cable pattern, but no cable needle was used.  On close inspection, you will see that the pattern is completely reversible, with cables on both the right and wrong sides.  What is even more amazing, that this pattern can metamorphose and pretend to be a delicate flowery lace stitch instead of cables with just a little blocking. Once you learn how to manipulate the stitches, the pattern is relatively simple and knits up quickly.  My original sample scarf (the grayish green picture below) was knit up in a DK weight on size 6 needles, but hey guys, it's a scarf.  It is easily adaptable to different weight yarns and gauges.  The top picture was knit in 3 Irish Girls Glenhaven sock in the very beautiful Floribunda colorway.  You can find the pattern here in my Ravelry store.

Spellcaster

Abracadabra, my newest design! 

I must have been channeling the late Severus Snape as I was knitting, because this pattern seemed to come about by magic and the resulting scarf has some bewitching characteristics. 

My original concept was to knit a cowl based on cast on / cast off cords. Even though I was making a cowl, I decided to knit it flat because that way it could be nearly all knit stitch, quick and easy.  I knit the blue and pink sample above, casting on just enough stitches for a cowl length.  As I was about to sew it together, I saw that I could slip the ends through the cords to create a self-tying pocket scarf. Voila!   I was enchanted by the look of the crossing cords and the way the bottom row of cords almost look like fringe.  By luck or by magic, the gradient yarn I used (Universal Yarn's Poems) worked up beautifully, beginning and ending with the lovely magenta shade on the outside edges.

While I love the way the ascot length prototype turned out, I decided to knit a longer version of this idea as well. For my second sample, I used Universal's Classic Shades Sequins Lite, a slightly lighter weight yarn. In addition to the change of length, I knit 6 cords instead of 5 just because I had enough yarn and I could see that the color repeat would be more balanced if I did so.   

I don't think I could be more pleased with a design. I have written it up for both the short and long versions, giving instructions for both the gauges I used.  While I love the stripes achieved by the gradient yarns, I think this would also look lovely in a wide variety of medium weight yarns and I hope to see some customer projects and variations on Ravelry!

Moving in a New Direction

Goodness! Can it be almost a year since I blogged? Life on the Internet speeds by quickly.  I haven't been standing still, I've just been posting more to my Facebook page and Ravelry group than here.  I've also been busy creating new designs, revamping the website, and updating my booth displays. In short, I am taking Knitter's Journey in a new direction.

When I first started Knitter's Journey more than 8 years ago, I carried only my own line of knit with wire jewelry kits.  While I still sell knit with wire kits, I have reduced the number of colors and styles and I've added lots of beautiful yarn and gifts for knitters. I have been carrying Blue Heron Rayon Metallic for several years, and I continue to have great color selection and great prices. (Check it out, we are cheaper than Webs!)  I now also carry 3 Irish Girls and Interlacements yarns -- hand dyed in my home state. I've added several new patterns for the new yarns including the Wingspan Shawl (center pic above) and M'Lady's Mittens (bottom right).  Last but not least, I have added a great selection of gifts for knitters that are all one of a kind and handmade in the USA, including knitting bags (made with great attention to detail by my very talented sister), knitting needle earrings, and shawl pins.  

The pic above is just a teaser, see more in the store.

Announcing the New Me

I am very excited to announce I have launched a totally new look to my website.  You will still find me in the same place at Knittersjourney.com but it's a very different look with a new secure shopping cart.  New products are still being added, but you will be able to find Knitter's Journey Knit with Wire Jewelry Kits, Blue Heron and 3 Irish Girls yarn, and gifts for knitters. 

To my many fans of my Knitting Vacations Link List, I am very sorry, but the page did not fit into the online store format, so I had to let it go.  I will do my best to recreate it here, perhaps in bits and pieces at first.  Watch for more news and coming events in the near future.

How I Spent My Summer Vacation

Well, now that summer is over and I am back to school,  I thought perhaps I should write an essay about how I spent my summer vacation.  Although I love to travel, I did not set off on exotic knitting adventure this summer. I prefer to stay close to home in the summer because summers here are so pleasant. The Lakefront, bike paths, festivals, and free concerts in the parks make it easy to entertain oneself or out of town guests.  I spent much of my time knitting, making jewelry, designing new patterns, working on Knitter's Journey -- activities that are all my idea of fun. I spent a lot of my time this summer vending at our downtown artist's market-- a new venue for me, and very fun! I was surprised to see how many tourists we have in my hometown, but that is as it should be, because we really do have a great place on a Great Lake!

I am very pleased with my summer design project, the Evening Paseo Shawl. This shawl was inspired by my past travels in Spain, where there is a tradition of going for an evening stroll or "paseo."  Whether you are in Barcelona or Madrid, you will find the sidewalks teaming with people in the early evening. Families stroll with young children, lovers walk hand in hand, and young people flirt with each other as everyone is walking and talking, trying to see each other and be seen.  Even though it is just an evening stroll, one tries to look one's best.

This little shawlette would be the perfect accessory for a paseo.  It is knit from a single skein of Blue Heron Rayon Metallic, one of my favorite yarns because of its beautiful colors and lovely drape.  The shawl will be making its debut at Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival this weekend, and you will soon find the pattern on Ravelry.

New Orleans Jazz and Jazzy Cables

French Quarter Architecture

My husband and I enjoyed a recent vacation to New Orleans.  There is so much to see and do there! We explored the city's unique history with an architectural tour of the French Quarter and a fascinating tour of one of the city's old cemeteries.  We took a riverboat cruise, visited the Aquarium and the National World War II Museum, and toured a nearby plantation.

St. Louis Cemetery

Oak Alley Plantation

But we both agreed that our favorite part was the multicultural ambiance and jazz heritage that we found everywhere.

Second Line on St. Anne Street

Street musicians in Jackson Square 

Battle of the Mardi Gras Indians in Congo Square

Of course, I never go on vacation without somehow making it a knitting vacation, so I
sought out a yarn shop and very easily found The Quarter Stitch, just off Jackson Square.

Outside The Quarter Stitch

And of course, I brought a knitting project with me.  I wanted to design a cowl using 3 Irish Girls Springvale Worsted, which I just started carrying in my online store.  I swatched several stitches from one of my stitch dictionaries, but I wasn't satisfied.  Finally, inspired by the jazz musicians that I saw on the streets, I decided to improvise.  I played with a basic rhythm of knits and purls, bending and twisting until I arrived at something new and original.

Jazzy Cables Cowl

The cable construction is a bit different - more of a twist than a true cable, it creates a totally reversible fabric, which was my goal at the outset.  I'm excited about the technique I devised; it opens up possibilities for endless variation. Sort of jazzy, don't you think?

Wire-ology

Wire-ology  (noun) Definition: 1. The study of knitting with wire  2. Knitting with wire as practiced at Yarnology in Winona, Minnesota.  

I had a great time at Yarnology on Saturday.  I taught 10 lovely ladies and 1 intrepid young man (age 14) to knit with wire. As is usual when I teach knitted bracelets, almost everyone walked away with a completed project.  Here are pics of some of the class members and their finished projects.  Aren't they lovely?

I love getting out and about to yarn shops with my Knitter's Journey Trunk Show.  It's so fun to see all the shops and see how each has their own personality.  I was very impressed by Yarnology.  I couldn't believe they've only been in business 3 years!  They have a large and lovely space, filled with yarn and inspiring projects.  The owners have succeeded in creating not just a shop, but a community.  While we were busy with our class in our spacious classroom space, the front of the shop was bustling with shoppers and drop in knitters who were shopping, chatting and doing what knitters do.  Kudos to Kelly and Gaby for creating such a great LYS. 

Out There with Sir Paul

My husband and I were Out There at the stadium last night with friends Karen and Dale and 43,996 other fans of Sir Paul.  It was a once in a lifetime experience that I might sum up as the best concert of my life with what were probably the worst seats. But mind you I am not complaining.  Far from it!  Our terrace level side view seats were just $39.50! We were up in the rafters, but we had binoculars and the jumbo screen to enhance the view, and we caught a light breeze that I'm sure they couldn't feel out in center field. 

What a show! McCartney sang hit after hit from the early days of the Beatles through the Wings years and up through today.  I was amazed that his voice held strong despite his age and the heat. He tackled a demanding repertoire from lullaby love songs to rocking and wailing.  He played 30 songs and then came back for 2 encores. 3 hours of nearly non-stop concert!  I knew all but 2 of the songs well enough to sing along, as did the rest of the crowd.  One of the 2 songs that I did not know was a touching tribute to John Lennon. He wrote it in the style of a conversation he wished he could have had with his friend, and tears tried to make their way out of the corners of my eyes as I listened to the words.

What was my favorite part? It's hard to say. Perhaps hearing certain songs, but there were so many--A Day in The Life (oobla dee, oobla dah), Back in the U.S.S.R, Hey Jude. Perhaps it was just being part of the singing crowd.  Of course, I have to say I also loved the drama and the fireworks of Live and Let Die.  That was quite dramatic! You can watch it on this clip taken by someone with much better seats:

McCartney at Miller Park July 16

I am so grateful to have had this experience.  Thank you Karen and Dale for scoring the tickets. Thank you Milwaukee, for having so many great concert venues that we can attract superstars like Paul McCartney, and most of all, thank you Sir Paul for the poetry, the rhythms, the songs and the sweet, sweet memories.

A Knitter's Journey to Provence

The view from Le Jardin Exotique in Eze

Springtime in St. Paul de Vence

I am back from a wonderful vacation to Provence and the Cote D'Azure.  This wasn't strictly a knitting trip. I was vacationing with Mon Cheri, and we had a full itinerary of sightseeing, wine tasting and good eating to do. But I am first and foremost une vrais tricoteuse and it is impossible for me to vacation without doing a little knitting and seeking out yarn shops.

Our hotel in Nice- Hotel de la Tour 

The first part of our trip was spent in Nice.  Our hotel was well located in the Old Town and was walking distance to many sights, including the park at the top of Castle Hill, the Flower Market, and the Promenade des Anglais.

The Flower Market in Nice

Locally made yarns at La Droguerie - Nice

Our hotel was also just a 5 minute walk from La Droguerie, a large yarn shop that is affiliated with La Droguerie in Paris.  Like the Paris store of the same name, the shop sells only its own line of yarns, but they are all wonderful natural fibers in vibrant colors. They also have an extensive collection of unique buttons and patterns of their own design.



This store is well worth the visit. It's centre-ville location at 29 Rue de L'Hotel des Postes is easy to find (2 very short blocks south of the main post office). The store is obviously popular with the locals. We arrived just 5 minutes after they opened and there were already 2 other customers in the store.

La Droguerie - Nice

Beads and buttons at La Droguerie

Lovely mohair - "plumette" at La Droguerie

La Boite a Tricot - Avignon

For the second half of our trip, my husband and I stationed ourselves in Avignon, visiting the medieval sights in Avignon and the ancient Roman sights at nearby Nimes and the Pont du Gard.
With a new project already on my needles and a full itinerary of tourism, I wasn't planning on taking any time to seek out yarn shops or knitting groups while in Avignon, but this one just fell into my lap.  We spotted La Boite a Tricot (44 rue de Fourbisseurs) as we were strolling the streets of the old town, just a few blocks from our hotel. This store carries well-known commercial yarns--
Anny Blatt, Bergere de France, Bouton d'Or, Phildar and Katia.
While all these yarns are available in the U.S. or on the Internet, they are all very, very French and a purchase here would make an appropriate and memorable souvenir for any knitter.

Show and Share

Once again I had a great time at the Madison Knitting Guild's Knit In.  Thank you guild members! It was nice to see many familiar faces.  I love doing shows and having a chance to meet and chat with my customers.  And I must admit, it is the customer compliments that keep me going.

This last weekend, not one, not two, not three, but four customers stopped by to show me their recently finished projects or tell me how happy they were with the kits that they had purchased from me. Here is one of my happy customers modeling her Chips and Stones necklace.

My photo doesn't do it justice. I took this pic with my phone.  I'm not that great at focusing with my phone camera. Since I normally have a digital camera with me, I tend to forget that I can take pictures with my phone. That also explains my surprise to find I had year old pictures from Wisconsin Spin In that I had never downloaded.  This one was so cute, I had to share.

I do not remember the name of my furry friend, but he certainly is an eyeful (and an armful)!

Blue Heron Bliss

I'll admit it.  When it comes to yarn, I play favorites.  My hands down favorite yarn for the last few years has been Blue Heron's Rayon Metallic.  It is a lovely lightweight handpainted rayon, spun together with fine metallic thread.  Eye candy for any knitter, I can't resist it.  I designed 3 patterns for it so far, and I have at least 3 more pattern ideas in my head, ready to be put to the needles. Here is a sample of some of the beautiful colorways I will be taking with me to the Madison Knitter's Guild Knit In, March 8th and 9th and to Yarncon in Chicago, April 6th and 7th.

Tornado Hats and A Whirlwind of Knitting

It's snowing outside.  The temperature is plummeting from unseasonably warm to uncommonly cold.  The wind is whipping up.  It is a good day to stay in and knit.  I think I will cast on for another Tornado Hat.  I've already knit 4 of these, but I don't mind making another, as they are so fun to knit.

My first tornado hat was made with an oddball skein of a discontinued yarn that I had in my stash.  I made it for the Mitten Tree Charity at my school. When I cast on,  I had no preconceived notion of the ultimate design. I thought I would make a simple beanie with a foldover brim suitable for a boy or girl.  However, the creative side of me just couldn't stand making a totally plain hat, so as I decreased for the crown, I decided I needed to add a bit of whimsy at the top, and the traveling stitch braid was born.

While I was pleased with that first hat, I gave it away as intended. (This photo was a quick snap before I tossed it into the donation bin).  I needed to start another hat as a prototype for the pattern that I had yet to write up, and I wanted to tweak the design a little bit. I changed the cuff from 2 by 2 ribbing to garter stitch and added traveling stitches to the body of the hat.  My second tornado hat was made with another oddball skein of yarn, this time from a yarn that is still available--Manos del Uruguay Classico.  Here it is:

By the time my second hat was finished, Christmas had come and gone.  Santa gave me a new coat, so of course, I needed a new hat to go with it. Here is the hat that I made to go with my new coat, made with Classic Shades:

Let me just say that not only did I enjoy making it, I love wearing it!  I have short, baby fine hair, and the braid hangs and feels like a ponytail.  Realizing that I enjoy wearing my tornado hat because it makes me feel like I have a real head of hair, I decided it would make a great chemo-cap for someone struggling with hair loss.  And so, I cast on for a fourth hat. Here is the hat that I made for a colleague at work who is currently battling breast cancer.  It is my favorite of all. I hope it makes her feel pretty!