I Love to Tell the Story

"In the tale, in the telling, we are all one blood. Take the tale in your teeth, then, and bite till the blood runs, hoping it's not poison; and we will all come to the end together, and even to the beginning: living, as we do, in the middle."

Ursula K. LeGuin

When I was young, my mother read Uncle Wiggly stories to me. He was an old gentleman rabbit with many friends & great adventures. And each story ended with something like this:

"And now boys & girls, if you are good, tomorrow we will hear the story of Uncle Wiggly and the "whatever...".

Inevitably, this left me wanting, "Just one more, Mommy. Please?" The writer knew how to whet the appetite of young children and keep them coming back for more.

A little later in my life, the Indiana Jones movies came out and revisited the format of the serial movies of old with their cliff hangers and potboilers. You always wanted to know what happened next.

Today, we eagerly await the next installment of the Harry Potter series, or the Hunger Games, or Twilight. Before that it was Star Wars.

Or my favorite: Lord of the Rings.

There is something in us that loves a good yarn, that keeps us turning the next page, reading well past our bedtimes, lining up for midnight shows at the cinema. We chafe at the bit, we drool over spoilers, we want - no - NEED to know how it turns out.

Why?

Maybe because our lives are such a mystery to us. We don't know what comes next. We plan, we ponder, but ultimately God laughs. Our lives are not our own. Call it fate if you aren't religious.

All I know is on most of the momentous days of my life, I didn't see them coming.

I will admit to falling prey to several exciting narratives recently. I have been burning the midnight oil most nights, working on my designs.

While I knit I have been watching Dexter on DVD. What has impressed me most is how well crafted the plot lines are. Nothing is wasted. Every episode ends with a little cliff hanger of its own and each season finale neatly gathers in all the little loose ends & ties them up in one thrilling package. That is very good writing.

After I have toddled off to bed, I have unwound from the day's stimulating work with a murder mystery: "What the Night Knows" by Dean Koontz. It too is a page turner, with a surprise around every new development. When you are reading till 2:00 in the morning, you know it's good.

But the narrative that has totally held me in thrall this month is the evolving design of In Dreams ( the mystery shawl that kicks off with the first clue on Friday)

I decided months ago that I wanted the design for this piece to feature large motifs, rather than repeating small ones. I wanted it to unfold, rather than repeat. I wanted the increases to flow from within the pattern rather than adding one stitch at the end of each row.

I am now moving into the final section of design elements and it has been a great challenge. If I increase too much in one area the shawl begins to ruffle or forms a point rather than a semicircle. If I increase too little, the stitches pull.

Putting all the pieces of the story together has been a greatly stimulating endeavor to me. I cannot wait to get back to it each day. There have been many changes and false starts. But I have learned so much and enjoyed the process so tremendously. It has been a page turner.

I only hope you enjoy knitting it as much as I have enjoyed designing it.

The downside of this fascination, is the languishing of Argonath & Mithril. And my lack of responsiveness the past 3 weeks. I have been on retreat these past few weeks as I worked my brain around and around the unique problems of this design, looking always to making her the very best I have to offer.

Crafting a well coordinated pattern is much like telling a story. All of the pieces must fit together neatly and arrive together at the end. Each element must contribute to the enjoyment of the whole experience and the well honed beauty of the finished product.

Today, with clue 4 completed, I have forced myself to put In Dreams down and use the day to set up the database for In Dreams clue dispersal (Hurry up, Friday!) and catch up on my huge backlog of correspondence, here on the blog, in my home email account, and on Ravelry.

After those housekeeping tasks are completed, I will devote my time to the completion of Argonath (finally!) and get the pattern out into your in-boxes by week's end.

In Dreams is calling to me. Soon, it says...soon... but not yet...

sigh...

Time Warp

It's just a jump to the left
And then a step to the right
With your hands on your hips
You bring your knees in tight
But it's the pelvic thrust
that really drives you insane,
Let's do the Time Warp again!

- Rocky Horror Picture Show

Again I must apologize for being an indifferent blogger. I have also been a sporadic plurker and a casual Ravelry ignorer - embarrassed look - sheesh!

But it is really not my fault, you see...

I have been ambushed by a time warp.

I returned from North Carolina at the end of September, rested, ready to begin my fall knitting projects, eager to get Argonath out, and with an additional skein of yarn I had Unique Sheep dye for Lothlorien.

And I realized that, while Argonath only needs one repeat and the end panel test knit (piece of cake) Lothlorien was going to require knitting the entire kit & caboodle. Cuz just the kit without the caboodle wouldn't test all of the pattern. besides, who wants a kit without a caboodle. It just wouldn't be proper...

So I cast on for Lothlorien and along the way, she morphed from a stole to a shawl to her final form as a cape.

TA-DA!

I finished her up last week and she is into the test knitting process. Now I can time warp back to Argonath, which is the next release in the Fellowship Series. Argonath heads into testing this week, but, because of its repetitive nature, will be out in a couple weeks.

My test knitter for Galadriel's Mirror was also caught in a time warp, as work demands, home renovation, & illness set her back on her heels temporarily. But I remain hopeful, GM will see market by the end of the month.

Another thing adding to the time warp factor, is the fast approaching holidays with their attendant knitting. I try to get a few free patterns out in November as my gift to y'all. Things that aren't too complicated or knit in a looser gauge so you can make gifts.

Today, in the spirit of this post, because it jumps to the left, & looks like the warp of a woven object, I present...

TIME WARP

This little 4 st, 4 row slip stitch pattern has become my favorite discovery this autumn. The yarn is Berroco Jasper in Mohica Blue, a very affordable and widely available self striping single ply worsted. It gives a closely knit fabric that feels and looks woven. No need to block. No curling. No fancy stitches, beyond knitting, purling, & slipping. Just perfection.

I was going to make a cowl with 2 skeins, but loved it so much I went back and purchased 12 more skeins for a large wrap. I think it looks like the colors of the sea & shore (I call it my "Surf N Turf - giggle)

I am letting the yarn do all the work, not even bothering to match up the skeins' differing start places on the color run.

I'm making mine 24 inches wide by 72 inches long - that takes 14 skeins. If you want, you can easily make it shorter or narrower. Just think in multiples of 4 plus 2 for the stitch count and multiples of 4 for the rows.

The pattern results in the slipped stitches migrating to the left on a diagonal line. So easy & cool.

It's just a jump to the left...

So... here are the directions:

Using size 11 needles, cast on 126 st (or any multiple of 4 plus 2 st).

Row 1: *k2, slip 2 w/ yarn in front; rep from * to last 2 st, k2
Row 2: p1, *slip 2 w/ yarn in back, p2; rep from * to last st, p1
Row 3: *slip 2 w/ yarn in front, k2; rep from * to last 2 st, slip 2 w/ yarn in front
Row 4: p3, *slip 2 w/ yarn in back, p2; rep from * to last 3 st, slip 2 w/ yarn in back, p1

Repeat these four rows until desired length & bind off.

That's all there is to it - easy, huh?

If you want to make a cowl, simply join after cast on & work in the round. In this case, your 2nd & 4th rows will be:

Row 2: k3, slip 2 w/ yarn in front; rep from * to last st, k1
Row 4: k1, *slip 2 w/ yarn in front, k2; rep from * to last 3 st, k3

Make a scarf, make a cowl, make place mats or a table runner. Whatever you make, you won;t be disappointed.

Let's do the Time Warp again....

and again...

and again...

and again...

You know you want to...

Ba-a-a-d Blogger

"A little neglect may breed great mischief."
- Benjamin Franklin

My goodness, it has been a long time since I have talked to y'all! I am so sorry to have been MIA for the last month.

We had a lovely vacation and an eventful labor day weekend, becoming grandparents for a second time. I hope you have been enjoying your summer as well.

Not a lot of time this morning, but I wanted to share a few things with you.

First up is what I did on my summer vacation!

The next pattern in the FotR series is complete & awaiting an October release: the Bag End mushroom bag

This mosaic knitting rectangle, through the magic of folding & felting turned into...

this colorful tote bag! I have a lovely little mushroom charm on order to add to the bag, for a little extra punch.

I am teaching a class in mosaic knitting at the Unique Sheep retreat at the end of September, and so developed a couple smaller projects that I am calling "There" and "Back Again"

I turned my squares into an eyeglass case & a change purse, but the same techniques could be used for an ipod, cell phone, or laptop case.

before felting

and after

Galadriel's Mirror is crawling through test knit - the written directions for this one are a b&$%h! So voluminous, I am considering offering written directions "upon request" rather than in the body of the pattern. My test knitter has also been knitting this triangular shawl as a square tablecloth, by doubling the pattern. I will include both versions in the final pattern.

Last, but certainly not least, Argonath was frogged back & redesigned to make it wider - I think a cabled wrap should be capacious enough to snuggle up in and now she is heading out to test knitters next week, while I continue to work on the sample.

!!SATURDAY STASH SALE TOMORROW!!

Y'all come back now, y'hear?

Random Acts of Knitting

In complex situations, we may rely too heavily on planning and forecasting and underestimate the importance of random factors in the environment. That reliance can also lead to delusions of control.

-Hillel J. Einhorn

My thoughts are scattered today - not good for a writer. I don't know if it is due to the heat which has suddenly struck hard at the midsection of our country, the many patterns I have in the pipeline at the moment, or the push-me-pull-you nature of balancing the demands on my time.

All I know is that I am having difficulty settling down to any one thing right now. I work on Evenstar's beaded border until my eyes and brain give out (which comes sooner on some days than on others) then pick up Dwarrowdelf to finish the second side. When that feels stale, I knit on Strider which is already in test knit and about 10 rows from sample completion.

When all else fails to interest, I work on another design which I have had in mind for Fellowship since it's inception, but had not finalized in time for the initial offering. This one is low on the priority list as it is not part of the original series, but I hope to have it ready for publication in August, just in time for you to complete it before the cold winds of winter strike again.

Evenstar's release has been pushed back from June 1st to the 4th (next Friday) in consideration of the holiday weekend and the many festivities surrounding it. I have learned (to our detriment) the consequences of premature release (now that sounds a lot racier than it should-lol) and want to make sure the final product is thoroughly proofed by several people since it has only been tested in its clue format.

Those errata are sneaky little suckers - they and their ugly cousins: the typos!

Now some random acts of knitting for your enjoyment...

close up shot of back panel of Dwarrowdelf showing the center graft & the pick up along the side edge (the diagonal line) with the side panels knit out from the back.

beauty shot of Dwarrowdelf on the artist's chair

!!SPOILER ALERT!!
Evenstar Pic ahead

Almost done with beaded border - next time you see her, she'll be blocked
so excited!!!


Galadriel's Mirror triangular shawl - mid-way through 3rd chart

close up of center back divide showing mirroring

close up of twisted stitch/bobbled lace pattern

Elven-ish motifs ripple out in mirror fashion from center of shawl before radiating out into an overlapping lattice with half round motifs on the edge. The yarn is the yummiest color - String Theory Blue Stocking in Alexandrite - a real joy to work with! I have almost used up the first skein, but have 2 more if I need them.

And I think that's about it for today. Not up to my usual standards, but as much as I can manage today. My knitting awaits...

A Little Knowledge Goes a Long Way

Be curious always! For knowledge will not acquire you: you must acquire it.

- Sudie Back

I remember when my youngest brother lived at home for a while when he was in college. My mom was fit to be tied, because he went out so much.

She called me one morning, practically in tears, to tell me he had not come home the night before. She said (and I quote) "YOU never did anything like that.

"Actually Mom", I said, " I did exactly that. You just never knew about it because I was away from home living in the dorm."

Some things you are just better off NOT knowing. I try to remember that when I am tempted to delve too deeply into my offspring's business.

DH calls it, "ostridging." I call it stress prevention. I figure what I don't know can't hurt me and if it gets to the point where I need to know, it will become readily apparent. In fact, it will blow up so big that I trip over it, on my way to the bathroom, or the confessional, or the bank where they've run out of funds.

Not that knowledge is bad, but sometimes it is unnecessary. Do I really want to know what my adult kids are fighting over? Do I want to know what goes on behind closed doors? Do I want to know if they think I am fat, old & irrelevant? Do I look like I'm crazy?

Sufficient unto each day are the problems thereof.

At times, knowledge can be frustrating. Sometimes, you know something that others don't. Sometimes you feel you will fairly burst if you do not tell someone, anyone. Sometimes you wish they hadn't told you.

But they did.

I have been keeping a secret for my DIL and eldest son. They are going to have a baby in September, their first! We are so excited and the happy couple is really looking forward to becoming a family.

Speaking of knowledge...

Nope, sorry, can't show you pics of Evenstar, but I can fill you in on what has been happening with the Fellowship of the Ring patterns (over there on the sidebar, if you are looking to sign up)





The Dwarrowdelf stole is shaping up nicely. I have completed the back strip & am working my way down the length now. I just blocked what I have so far to ensure the crosswise piece was going to line up with the lengthwise ones.


Lothlorien is awaiting additional yarn from the fine folks at Unique Sheep - came up a little short when I got the design in place


And yesterday I cast on for a Rivendell Smoke Ring (surprise!) Not sure if this will be offered as an add on for the Fellowship or the Two Towers


I think that brings y'all up to date. Hope that is enough to satisfy your curiosity today.

A little knowledge goes a long way...

Drive-By...

"Hasten slowly and ye shall soon arrive."

-Latin proverb

Things have been a bit busy today, so not a lot of time...

But I wanted to share progress pics of Dwarrowdelf with you. I have finished the back strip and am beginning to knit down from it. The yarn continues to delight me. Will let you know as soon as I have firm amounts.



Third clue for Evenstar comes out tomorrow at 3:00 EST.

Back to the salt mines...

Change It Up

"The most fatal illusion is the settled point of view. Since life is growth and motion, a fixed point of view kills anybody who has one."

-Brooks Atkinson

Hope no one will be too disappointed in a change that happened over the last week.

I do my best, when selling subscriptions to stick to the released plan. People don't like it when you change things too much. Especially if they have paid for it.

The yarn I intended to use for Dwarrowdelf just wasn't working for me. It was too variegated and too blue, where I wanted something darker.

I have however ordered it in a DK weight and am hoping to use it for a Misty Mountain piece.

Here is the final design element for Dwarrowdelf.


The yarn is Madelinetosh sock in Thicket, a lovely dusky, earthy eggplant type color. I looked at black & charcoal, but it was too stark. Dwarrowdelf isn't an evil place. Yes, the Balrog lives there, yes, it has been overrun by cave trolls. But is was once the great hall of the Dwarven Kings of Old. It has been forgotten & neglected.

I think this color perfectly captures the essence of that feeling - faded out to a dusty echo of what was once royal purple.

The stole is knit in an interesting fashion. A back strip is knit in two pieces & grafted at center to form a pattern like this: <<<>>>. then the ends are knit down from the sides of that strip. turning the pattern upside down results in a repeating arched pattern reminiscent of the great hall itself.

I have been told I over-think things, but this just seems right to me. I have ever used an intuitive process when it comes to design, and my gut tells me when the knitting is right.

I also swatched over the weekend for the front bands of the mithril vest.



Change is the only constant in our lives. We do well to embrace it...

Endings & Beginnings

In my beginning is my end.
-T.S. Eliot

This coming weekend marks both an end and a beginning here on the sunflower farm.

On Monday we say goodbye to your opportunity to sign up for the Evenstar Mystery Shawl KAL. The pattern will not be available for purchase again until after the KAL is completed in May. The pattern will be sold in it's entirety beginning June 1st.

Over 900 have signed up for this journey, which never ceases to amaze me. The second clue comes out this afternoon, but there is still time for you to catch up, should you choose to join our merry band of latecomers. The more, the merrier...

Of course, though sign-ups are closing, we are but a little way along our path. There are seven clues, taking us through April and into early May.

I am so pleased with this design. I have worked hard to make it worthy of so many people's investment of time and talent. I pray I have succeeded; time will tell...

Also on March 1st, sign-ups open for the next phase of our adventure together: The Fellowship of the Ring series. As previously announced, the series is composed of seven patterns (I forgot one earlier - d'oh!) , taken from the first book/movie of the trilogy.

Argonath
cabled stole in String Theory DK - Labradorite
The pattern features wavy patterns to evoke the river Anduin's course, and is framed on both ends by columnar patterns reminiscent of the statues outstretched arms.






Dwarrowdelf
lace shawl in Tanis Fibre Arts Fingering - Stormy

Design features arched lace -angular like the dwarves design for the great hall in the mines of Moria




Lothlorien
cabled scarf or stole in custom dyed Tamsie Gradience from Unique Sheep
color taken from Tolkien's description of the golden woods, rather than the night time palette suggested by the movie



Strider
unisex cowl in Blue Moon Fiber Arts Peru - Ravenscroft
less greasy than Aragorn when we first behold him, but just as yummy!




Bombadil
hat with fair isle band & twisted stitch top in String Theory Caper Sock - Blue Hill, Cobalt, & Melon
colors taken from Tom's daring fashion choices - blue & yellow - Fierce! (snap)



Mithril
beaded lace vest in Handmaiden Silk Twist - silver & straw
silver lace vest with drawstring and golden trim in a beautiful leaf motif
(and no teeshirt backing, unlike the costume picutured above)




Bag End
mosaic felted bag in Unique Sheep Gradience - Brew Pub
12 by 12 inch felted tote bag, similar in construction to bag pictured

These seven patterns will be available for individual purchase at $8 a piece, but I am offering a discount for those who subscribe to the entire series up front:$45 for the entire series. That is $11 in savings.

I do not have a firm schedule for the patterns, beyond a commitment to thee first coming out May 1st and the others following every 6-8 weeks. Some will obviously take longer than others.

I want to be flexible - if a pattern is ready to release in four weeks, I don't want to hold it until a certain date. Conversely, if a pattern takes eight weeks to complete, I don't want to be pushed into release before it is truly ready. I hope you will understand my reluctance to place firm dates upon the series. Creativity is hard to structure.

I can promise you we will be done within the year (or sooner) and then we will move on to the next installment - The Two Towers - and the next mystery shawl pattern.

Sign ups begin Monday, March 1st, 2010.

And....just because I don't think anyone should have to wait till May to get their Elf on...

All sign ups will get immediately upon sign up, a little surprise I've been working on.

Legolas

a quick little weekend project done with sport/dk weight yarn on size 6 needles. The kerchief features an elvish twining leaf pattern that falls in lovely folds around the wearer's neck, and has lovely twisty ends to pull around to the front of your shoulders.

This pattern is not available for individual sale; it is my gift to subscribers only.

OK - I think that about covers it (whew!) Look for sign-ups over on the sidebar, come Monday morning.

Anybody wanna play?