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Archive for the ‘Textiles’ Category

diane-and-carolyn-rebozoSeveral years ago Diane and I knit the Rebozo Shawl. Since our original showing/sharing mine was lost a few years ago at a fashion show where I was modeling my shawl. I have hated the loss of that shawl which I knit in memory of knitting friend Sandy. I knew that I wanted to knit it again but knew it would make me too sad to knit in the same color but I did knit it again in a different colorway…. in the memory of Sandy and the original shawl.

 

The beginnings of my replacement Rebozo inspired fellow knitter Susan from Saturday knitting workshop to knit one. We both used Elsbeth Lavold Silky Wool. Today we modeled the old and the new……Diane’s two renditions (modeled by Diane and Jan) and the latest from Susan and me. Susan is so happy with hers that she has already embarked on her second one. Note that each shawl has its own unique creativity…..besides colorway and yarn differences each shawl striping pattern is slightly different.

Even though there is/was a lot of knitting in these shawls…..each row on mine was 400 stitches on size 6 needle it is a pleasure to knit and so fun to have the finished results. I know you will see us about town in our shawls.

Below you can see from needles through blocking to finished garment. I generally do a wet block which means I wash (soak) on gentle cycle on my old washing machine in a non-detergent soap. I do not rinse but do spin it dry. Then the damp garment is taken to the studio table to be hand blocked….I literally use my hands to press the garment out. It is laid on towel(s) and covered with towel(s). Once dry….it’s done and looks so gently blocked. I love the results.

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Enjoy Spring Savings this week…..May 22 – May 29…..40% off Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece (must be in stock) and 30% off Brown Sheep’s Lamb Pride’s Superwash …sales price reflected in price @ Skeinlane.com

Many projects have been knitted with these two lovely yarns. I am thinking that I will start another Moderne Blanket.

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Front Drape

I have been dreaming about knitting Jody’s Modern Shawl since I saw her wearing it while she was working at Avenue Yarns. It’s simple but elegant with a lovely lattice edging. I was possessed to use yarn from my stash and not go shopping….well I did both. In my stash were two skeins of Silky and Plied from Knitted Wit (225 yds each) which I am sure I bought more than four years ago. What to add for that third skein? There was nothing in my enormous stash that was a satisfactory complement to the lavendar and rose pink skeins. Off to Avenue Yarns I went….came away with a lovely purple and then decided that I didn’t like it with this project…so back to Avenue Yarns. This time I really loved my choice….Malabrigo Rios color Plomo. This comp0limentary color has subtle gray color changes with just a hint of pink. I am now dreaming of the next project for the purple yarn.

The shawl was finished this past Wednesday and wet blocked on Thursday. I love the results.

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Yaza

I wasn’t looking and yet I discovered a new shop on Solano AveYaza. I popped into this shop while waiting for Bill to do banking across the street. I was intrigued by a blouse that I saw in the window….white, loose and reminiscence of my younger carefree days. Yaza 4

Namgyal and her sister create the ideas…..they have a cottage style industry based in Tibet that turns their ideas into reality.  I love this sentence from their website:

All Yaza garments are inspired by the diaspora roots of our family who lived nomadic lives in the faraway cultures of Tibet, Nepal and India.

I liked the clothing, jewelry and bag offerings. I think it’s more than worth checking out. If you stop and or/shop, be sure to mention that Skein Lane recommended Yaza. I know I will be going back!

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The Windsor Shawl

Recently Karen H came to knitting wearing her latest project off the needles….the Windsor Shawl. Karen always works diligently on completing the wonderful projects that she purchases at Stitches West (coming up again in a couple weeks). This time is no exception. I believe the Windsor Shawl (you can see Maggi on video showing more colorways) was of the most popular kits at Maggi’s booth last year. Can hardly wait to what Maggie has new for this year.

As for Karen….she will have a new showing very soon. Stay tuned.

p.s. I will be working at Maggi’s booth again this year….more news coming.

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Carolyn  - CSU Sophomore

Carolyn – CSU Sophomore

There are those of you who may not know that my high school years (in Eastern Colorado) were “consumed” with my home economic classes…I had a tremendous teacher, Dorothy Smith, who recently celebrated her 101st birthday. She taught us much more than how to stitch a seam or how to boil water. Her tutelage prepared me for my years as a Home Ec major while I was at Colorado State University (CSU) in Fort Collins,Co.  At the end of my sophomore year I moved back to the Greater San Francisco Bay Area with the idea of moving near my California family and attending UC Davis, CA. I was enrolled for just a few weeks but got side-tracked with working and life. It was 15 years before I returned to college….by then the Home Ec world had changed dramatically. But my life-long interest in “that world” has stayed with me.

As my sister Betty and I have been sorting through our stash of things, I came upon this “treasure” that I created in my 2nd year of college….it was in safe keeping to make a “story board” for the steps involved in making a welted button-hole, a welted pocket, an eased sleeve cap  and an evenly curved collar edge. Just in case you are possessed to welt a buttonhole or a pocket, here are the visual steps. Now on to a shadow box.

 

 

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Textiles at Monticello

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This quick glimpse into life on Mulberry Row at Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, shows that the art of craft has been with us throughout history and all walks of life. As with all new experiences….particularly history I find myself wanting to learn more. Now the search is on for period pieces of handwork made on Mulberry Row.

It was said that Mulberry Row was one of major commerce….textiles, produce, meats, blacksmithing, leather making, nail making……folks came from the surrounding valleys.

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