Capelet Conundrum

The last few projects for Nihon Vogue Year 2 are bearing down on me.  I've had to spend a lot of time figuring out what to do, hence there hasn't been as much actual knitting going on. Very frustrating to not "get off the blocks" so to speak.  The capelet is a project that, surprisingly, I was excited about.  The concept being that the pattern is decreased from the bottom edge to the neck edge, forming a conical shape.  I envisioned using some lovely charcoal black wool-silk yarn with shimmering beads in a lacy pattern on size 3.75 mm US 5 needles.  Wrong!  Once I drafted the pattern I realized that the vertical lacy pattern I wanted to use would be dwarfed by the amount of reverse  garter stitches I would have had to insert between each pattern in order to get the width I needed at the bottom edge.  Definitely not the look I had envisioned!  I wanted to incorporate beads somehow but discovered that the yarns I initially chose were not amenable to having hundreds of beads pushed along while knitting.  The yarns basically were not strong enough and shredded in places.  Rather messy...   Then I got myself stuck worrying about how a conical shape would actually fit on my body given I have shoulders.  It seems as though the angle from a lower pivot point above the back neck of the capelet should be a fairly wide.  How else does one  accommodate the width of the shoulders and then go to a much narrower width for the neck? My original drafted pattern seemed way too narrow at the shoulder and bottom edge. Arlene's drafted measurements were approximately the same as mine and her capelet fit fine.  She kept telling me that knitted fabric had 'give" and would fit but I was still worried that if the width to depth of the capelet wasn't enough to fit over the shoulders at the right place, a lot of knitted fabric could be bunched up at the neck.  I have heard some feedback that another student's project was encountering that exact issue.  Yikers. I just don't have enough time to knit something as an "experiment".  What to do?  Ask the expert!  Naomi and I went to Suzanne's while Jean was teaching a Year 1 class 2 weeks ago and we got our burning questions answered on the capelet/skirt and design project.  It was also fun to see Jan, Leslie and other Year Oner's while there.  Such amazing friends I have made while in Nihon Vogue! 
With my capelet conundrum finally solved, I am moving right along.  Knitting with a soft baby llama yarn by Mirasol on size 5.0 mm US 8 needles.  The stitch pattern is an extremely simple chevron pattern that I am decreasing for each of the 22 vertical repeats in segments as I go from the bottom edge to the neck.  The beaded edge is a technique I learned in a "Bead Knitting On The Edge" class by Betsy Hershberg when she taught at Madrona Fiber Arts last year.  The capelet will be open in the front rather than go over my head.  Finishing it off will be buttons with matching edge beads sewn between the center holes, and crocheted edging on front and neck.  My only fear is wondering how much the llama will "grow" over time since I don't believe that type of fiber has "memory" like wool.  Oh well.  Time will tell.  My goal is to get the capelet done before class on November 7th.  With daylight saving time there will be one more hour to knit this weekend!

Wonderful weekend diversions

Seahawks football!  I was invited to the game by one of my oldest and dearest friends, Kathryn.  She has season tickets on the club level at Qwest Field and what a view we had!  It was a spectacular game for the Seahawks. They crushed the Jacksonville Jaguars 41-0.  Rob was in Leavenworth all weekend - mountain biking and helping some friends with the construction on their cabin.  On Saturday Whimsy and I took an early morning ferry from Edmonds to Kingston and then drove to Port Angeles for the Dungeness Crab and Seafood Festival.  There were approximately 50 artists' booths on the pier and I purchased some brilliantly colored tile trivets and small print reproductions by Kate Larsson.  Whimsy and I also explored Port Gamble, Port Townsend and Port Ludlow during our long one day excursion.  The leaves on the trees were changing into brilliant shades of yellow, orange and red, the skies were clear, the water was blue - what a wonderful day.  Alas, I didn't get any Nihon Vogue or any other knitting for that matter done, but the weekend was exactly what I needed.

Adding to the stash

Gulp.  After my public disclosure to family, friends and the world, I can't believe I bought more yarn!  Actually, yes I can.  My excuse is that, well, it was one of those once in a lifetime moments.  Really.  Trust me.  It's true. Sarah Dimond of The Plucky Knitter was having a trunk show of luscious, yummy, beautiful hand dyed cashmere, silk and merino beauties at Churchmouse Yarns and Tea on Bainbridge Island.  I drove to downtown Seattle and parked at our empty, wanting to be rented soon condo in Belltown.  I walked down 1st Avenue past Pike Place Market, down Harbor Steps and then along the waterfront to the Colman Dock.  It was interesting to see the shops and merchandise for tourists along my route.  It was so energizing to be outside and walking through the Emerald City early in the morning.  People walking dogs, joggers running through the park, farmers putting up produce at the market, coffee drinkers and Sunday paper readers at sidewalk cafes. I met up with Naomi, Ellen and Amy at the Ferry Terminal.  We boarded for the quick half hour crossing from Seattle to Winslow.  On the ferry we saw Sarah and also had the pleasure of meeting her friend Nicole who had come out from Michigan with her.  I was impressed they had ventured to Mt. Rainier for sightseeing and hiking the day before!  On the other side of Elliot Bay, we ate breakfast at Streamliner Diner and then went to nearby Blackbird Bakery to wait for the yarn store to open.  Once there, I indulged in some cashmere in lavender and eggplant colors (no surprise there!) and then some other silk-merino blends in teal, green, brown and dreamy aqua-gray called "The Light Side of the Moon".  Fun, fun, fun day with my fiber friends!

Dog Tired

 

Met my sweet son and his foster dog up at a park on Cougar Mountain.  Alas, old lady Whimsy dog wasn't very social with the younger dog but at least they had an opportunity to chase balls, run, jump and play.  A tired dog is a happy dog!  Isn't that the truth?