Freeforming for spring

I've been revisiting an old work in progress, this freeform crochet sweater. Joining the lace scrumbles is fun, and very satisfying. Since there's so much open space, it seems to grow quickly.







Before I started joining them, I made a paper pattern based on a sweater that fits me. Then, I laid out the scrumbles and started doodling to join. At this point I'm not sure if I'll do sleeves. It depends partially on whether I have enough yarn, of course. It's hard to estimate yardage requirements on a project like this. I'll wait and see what happens!

Freeform Workshop with Prudence in Philadelphia

Earlier this month I was able to attend the Freeform Workshop at the Nangellini yarn shop in Philadelphia, PA. Prudence Mapstone gives these workshops all over the world, but she is hardly ever on the US East Coast, so I was very excited to get a spot in the class. There just aren't that many opportunities to see Prudence this close to home! I drove up to Laura's house in DC on Thursday, then went to Philadelphia the next day for the workshop.

This picture shows the shop before the workshop began.



Many people at the workshop wanted to see how Prudence works the bullion stitch, a tricky crochet stitch that is so much fun to use in freeform projects. She grabbed some yarn, sat down on the floor so that everyone could see what she was doing, and started stitching.







It was really fun to see the freeform sample garments that she brought along. I had seen all of these on line and in her books, but seeing them in person was wonderful. Prudence was very generous about allowing people to touch, try on, and photograph. Seeing the projects up close made me realize how much of the yarn used is fairly fine gauge compared to what I have in my stash. For wearable freeform garments, this seems like a great idea. Finer gauge yarns will give a lighter weight garment. Also noticeable is that there is more negative space in the garments (except for the red and purple cardigan). Lots of open work gives the piece more drape, less weight.












After demonstrating the bullion stitch, she showed us her current bullion project. Nothing but beautifully formed bullions here. So much fun!



At the end of the workshop, I drove back to DC (to get snowed in at Laura's!) through their record-breaking snow storm. While that drive was particularly awful, I'm so glad that I went to the workshop. I have lots of ideas for freeform projects, now I just need to pick up the yarn, needles, and hooks!

Question: what to make as a small gift for a newly pregnant friend?
Answer: well, a tiny baby hat Christmas tree ornament, of course!

Freeform Knitted Lace

Last week I received Myra Wood's new book, Crazy Lace, which is focused on freeform knitted lace. It's fabulous! If you like lace and freeform, give it a look. She is selling it from her website, www.myrawood.com. I've started 2 projects.






The yarn is Jojoland Melody, and I really like the way this one is turning out. I went ahead and blocked what I had finished over the weekend so that I could see how the lace was going to look. Since the yarn has a slow color change, I decided that knitting it on the diagonal would make a fun design in the scarf.

This last one is actually my first attempt at freeform knitted lace. It's a light worsted weight wool, spun and hand-dyed by Ellen Hall, my friend Carole's sister. I've had this yarn a long time, waiting for an interesting project. I like the yarn in knitted lace, I'm just not sure I like what I've done with it so far. It's entirely possible that I'll rip this out and start fresh.

another fun scarf....

I seem to be drawn to scarves the past couple of years. Here's the first one of this season, made from a pattern on Ravelry called "10 Fingers Scarf." Mine is made with Purple Mystery Malabrigo worsted.





The pattern is for a traditional long scarf, but I thought I'd get sick of making all those little nubbins (and I did!) so this one is a keyhole scarf. Put a slit in one end, slide the opposite end through it to wear, and the scarf can be shorter. Stays put, too.

Mitered magic

I find mitered square projects very enticing, and I've admired this particular design for a while. Margaret at Cozy made one a year or so ago, and I've thought about making one since I saw it. A quick trip through the purple bin of the stash, and I was on my way. Yesterday was cool enough to wear a wrap, while today is warm and sunny enough to get good photos of a wrap. Worked out pretty well!

baby gift

This adorable hoodie goes to Luke, son of my friends Tom and Sherry.

stash project

Yesterday I posted things from my knitting basket. Today's project lives upstairs, it's not very portable. The mitered square wrap is fun to do in lots of different yarns, so it lives on my bed and I work on it before I go to sleep. It's easy enough that I can avoid mistakes late at night, hehe.





It will have 3 squares and a fun edging--little fingers.

a couple of small projects

A few things to post.....first a fun Malabrigo scarf in Purple Mystery. The pattern is the 10 Fingers Scarf found on Ravelry.





And this sock is turning out well, it's the Sam Sock from Cookie A's Sock Innovation. Yummy Trekking yarn.....





That's what's in my knitting basket these days!

Girasole!

Yesterday the Girasole dried as it rested on my bedroom floor. I was pleased to find that I did not need to use pins, I just spread it out and the carpet held on. When I got home last night, it was ready. Can't wait to snuggle up under this during cool weather!