Style, Iceland Style

Last night I attended a Women's Foreign Policy Group reception for Iceland's Foreign Minister Ingibjorg Gisladottir at the home of Iceland's Ambassador to the US, Albert Jonsson. I noticed her when she arrived because she had on this fabulous outfit.

It may not be your style - I don't have the body type to pull it off, and despite this post's title I realize that not everyone in Iceland has adopted this style either, but she just stood out in the crowd of conservatively dressed Washington women. (Tim Gunn thinks we lack style and are overdue for makeovers. Read his Washington Flyer interview here.) In our defense, many of us work in offices where it's required to wear a conservative, standard issue suit, and most of us had arrived straight from the office. Many of us fear we won't be taken seriously if it's perceived that we care too much about how we look. Remember that New York Times article about how Nancy Pelosi has brought style to Capitol Hill? She practically refused to be interviewed for it and said her husband bought her clothes. Huh.

Ambassador Gisladottir is a serious woman. In her brief talk she described her efforts to secure Iceland a seat on the UN Security Council and her efforts to reach out to African countries. She described herself as a feminist who believes in the positive power of women, and also talked about her efforts to bring together a group of women from the Middle East to discuss that region's pressing issues. Gisladottir's sense of style does not detract from the work she's doing on behalf of her country. My pictures don't do her justice, but she looked great in this coat, cropped pants and heels. We're told to avoid horizontal stripes for the most part, but it worked for her. As Tim would say, she owned the look. Her makeup was subtle and emaculate, hair - perfectly highlighted. She also had on a funky three-stranded rubber and silver choker.

The ambassador's wife, Mrs. Jonsson also looked great in this little leopard print knit dress. It had a fuzzy little halo that must make it a very cozy dress for evening. It's hard to see the front of the belt, but it was about 8 inches wide. The slingbacks were a very subtle bronze metallic that matched the spots on the dress.

I asked her if she bought it Washington and she just said "yes." (I'm thinking, "where did you get that dress, woman?!!?" and immediately trying to figure out how to knit it. It is a very fine gauge that would require a knitting machine.) I didn't press it. Note to self: make sure that next time the first question is a more direct one and to the point. But you have to admit that most of the time, woman will eagerly to tell you where they got things. I hope that Icelanders do not consider this a gauche question.

It was not a gauche topic for the Spaniard and Italian participating in a project I closed in Seattle last week. Over dinner, Rosa, a Spanish judge and law enforcement official (also a serious professional woman), freely told us about her 70 pairs of shoes that she has neatly organized so that she can wear them all. And Roberto from Italy said his male friends all wanted him to bring back Abercrombie and Fitch t-shirts, now all the rage in Italy apparently. In his opinion, A&F t-shirts were not so great for women, so he shopped for his wife elsewhere. Then they got into this huge discussion about how American sizes are so confusing. I didn't take pictures of them and should have done, especially of Rosa hiking up the hilly streets of Seattle in the four inch heels she bought a Nine West!

Back to the reception, an attache from the Swedish Embassy had on a black pants suit with white blouse, accessorized with a black handbag with brightly colored tulips printed on it. Maybe wild accessories are a way to liven up that Washington uniform. We could knit some.

Philadelphia and Loop

Warning: Long post. Loop and Yarn at bottom.

A couple of weeks ago, some work colleagues and I took the train from Washington to spend the day with one of our program partners, the International Visitors Council of Philadelphia. I thought I would take note of any yarn shops I saw there, with the idea of visiting them later. We were met at the train station by Ben Franklin, Council President Nancy Gilboy, and Senior Program Officer Ron D'Alonzo, Senior Program Officer,

then taken on a tour of Philly. We toured Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed.

We also toured the new National Constitution Center, an interactive history museum of the American Constitution. There's a cool room of life size statues of the Constitutional Convention Delegates situated through out as if they were discussing the issues at hand.

The room is open for visitors to walk among the delegates and pose for pix.

Finally we went to see the Liberty Bell.

Independence Hall seen through the window.

We went back to the Council's offices for meetings, when Nancy saw my Habu Kusha Shawl on needles sticking out of my tote. Turns out she knows the owner of Loop! Nancy is one of those persons that Malcolm Gladwell describes in The Tipping Point as a "connector." With no hesitation at all she pulled out her Treo, made a couple of calls to find out if the owner was there, the store's hours and address, and the next thing I knew I was in a cab on my way there! That the shop was scheduled to close in 25 minutes did not deter her. Thank you, Nancy!

Loop is beautiful little shop with yarn from inexpensive to tres chere displayed in bookshelves on both side walls from front to back. It's all white, light woods, and bright, which really shows off the yarn to full advantage. The yarn is neatly shelved, and arranged so that when you are standing away from the shelves all you see is end balls of color, no ball bands. There two inviting sofas facing each other with a coffee table in the middle of the store with the latest knitting magazines and yarn.

Love the little wall installations!

The very friendly and helpful Kathy and Laurie greeted me.

We had a nice chat about yarn and patterns in the few minutes I was there, and I bought some Koigu and some DB Cashmerino to play with.

I hope to go back soon.

I made back to the reception held in our honor at the Marriot.

Thanks Nancy, Ron, and IVC staff for our informative and enjoyable day in Philadelphia, and thanks to Kathy and Laurie for your warm help at Loop!

WIP Wednesday: Merlot Vine Socks

Socktoberfest means it's time for another pair of socks for me. Haven't made many this year. This one is Yarn4Socks' October offering, Merlot Vine, designed by Anne Hanson, author of the Knitspot blog. The nice thing about this sock "club" is that one doesn't need to subscribe. I just bought this single kit. I fell in love with the yarn when I saw it on Anne's site several months ago. The colorway is "Arial," 100 percent superwash merino, fingering weight from Twisted Fiber Arts.

I love knitting with this yarn. It's the tiniest bit splitty, but I can easily live with it. More importantly, the dye completely saturated the base yarn, so there are none of those white spots or pale areas one finds in some other skeins. The pattern is lovely too, though a bit obscured by the yarn.

This is the first time I've done a short row toe that begins with a provisional cast on. I used a splitty waste yarn on the first sock - a mistake. A very irritating mistake. I kept picking up the yarn through the bump instead of under and it was impossible to unravel the waste yarn. Curses! The green yarn in the background is my "Seattle yarn." I'll blog about it later. I was on the plane back home when I started the second sock. All I had was this "Seattle yarn" to use as waste yarn and no crochet hook. First I tried to do a turkish cast on for the required 34 stitches and discovered quickly that it doesn't work. I used a seaming needle with a crooked tip in place of the crochet hook to make the crochet chain from the "Seattle yarn," and once I got the hang of it, it worked well.

It's hard to see the crochet chain in these pix because the waste yarn and working yarn are similar color.

I've had lots of left over yarn from other socks, so in an attempt to avoid this, I put the first sock on waste yarn without cutting the working yarn after the required number of leg repeats and cast on the second sock from the center pull. I can add more leg repeats with whatever remaining yarn there is.

Barbara flattered me enormously by nominating me a Rockin' Girl Blogger. Thanks Barbara! I haven't rocked much this spring and summer because I've traveled almost every month since May, mostly for work. I haven't kept up with your blogs or mine, or anything else it seems. I haven't kept up with knitting either. I have a gizillion almost finished pieces that, frankly, I just don't feel like working on. I've been to Lansing, Michigan, including a quick trip to Detroit; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Tucson, Arizona; San Francisco; twice to El Paso, Texas and Las Cruces, New Mexico; and twice to Seattle, Washington, and managed to visit yarn shops almost everywhere. I bought "souvenirs," of course. I wrote about Woven Arts, Unravel and Artfibers. I've also visited Loop in Philly, and So Much Yarn in Seattle, City Knits in Detroit - I will write about those later. They are beautiful shops with lovely, friendly staff. I should also write about El Paso's little yarn/shop cleaners, but it needs to be seen to be believed and I don't have pix. I guess it doesn't really look funny, but it's a strange concept.

My laptop crashed before my trip to Seattle last week, so that didn't help! I turned the dang thing on one morning and the screen stayed black. I totally panicked! I hate to admit it but a good portion of my life is online: I telecommute one day week, pay bills, read newspapers, shop, read and send e-mail, I take it with me on all my trips, and there's my online knitting life too, of course. I just sat and stared at the black screen for about 5 minutes before I summoned the presence of mind to call Dell. They are going to replace the motherboard, and I've borrowed a laptop from work in the meantime. They say that I won't lose any data, and I pray this is true. I swear I'll throw a fit if I have to reload my music and postcasts on iTunes. I don't throw fits. I usually roll with most things, but just the thought of it...I'm going to start looking for those hacks that allow one to transfer data from an iPod back to a computer. I hear they work. I'll give the laptop another 18 months after the motherboard replacement, then it will probably be time for a new one. It's only 3 years old. Don't any of these machines last longer than that?

Yarn Pr0n Friday: Sprinkles

For baby stuff.

Have you all seen this?

Cable Lux Pattern by Lion Brand. There are two patterns, one for the tunic and one for the dress.

In Progress

Sometimes after a big project I just want to do a bunch of little things. Or relatively little things, like the EZ's Baby Sweaters on Two Needles aka the February Sweater from the Knitter's Almanac. Yes, I jumped on the bandwagon. This was the first one made with Laines Du Nord Maxi.



As everyone has already said, EZ's instructions aren't explicit. For example she assumes the knitter will start the button holes at the top of band, and not 2 or 3 inches down which is where they will appear if you follow her instructions. (Given my propensity not to follow instructions, you'd think I would have placed them at the top anyway!) I also didn't get that the body is knit all in one piece, so this version has side seams running from the end of the sleeve to the hem, creating odd little 1" extensions on each side under the armpit and on the inside of each sleeve. They're tucked in - you can't see them in the photo. Still I think the sweater came out fine. I will sew on snaps at the top and attach a button.

The second version is made from bulkier Jo-Ann Sensations Bellezza Collection Dolcetto, and therefore several sizes larger. Did the body in one piece this time. The knitter has to figure out how the seams should work as EZ doesn't tell you that either. I think I did it right since there are no little one inch extensions on this one!


Both sweaters need buttons and ends woven in. I love these sweaters and will knit more as gifts when I'm able to make them with fewer errors. They were fun to knit.

Since there's a bit of chill in the evening air, I'm beginning to think about Fall. Nona's I-Cord Gloves have been weighing heavily on my mind lately so I started a pair. You make the fingers first as you can see below.

I thought that making the fingers first would make knitting gloves less fidley, but maybe not. We'll see. I'm using some Elann Peruvian Baby Cashmere I had stashed.

There's been a Ravelry-related blog death recently: Isis Rising is closing. Felicia said that the main purpose of her blog was keep a record of her WIPs and FOs, and that it's much easier to do that on Ravelry. It's the first one I've heard of. I'm sure it won't be the last. Have you heard others?

Ask and You Shall Receive an Indigo Ripples Skirt!

Mom asked for this skirt so I gave it to her. Actually, she said "You could give me that skirt if you decide you don't want to wear it." LOL! Anyway, it fits her and looks good on her too.


The specs:
Pattern: Indigo Ripples Skirt designed by Kat Coyle, Interweave Knits, Spring 2007
Yarn: Elsebeth Lavold "Hempathy," 5-6 skeins in navy (I can only find five ball bands, but I can't believe I only used five.) I found Hempathy tough to work with at first, I had a little callous on my right index finger where the yarn continually slid across it (I'm a thrower). In the end, I got used to working with the yarn and the callous is gone.
Needles: US4 circular
Modifications: I knit the stockinette section longer so that I could wear it to work; knit the lace section according to Kat's instructions, which makes the hem strike below the knee. Mom says she plans to replace the drawstring at the waist with a length of narrow elastic. And wear a slip underneath of course!

I started Indigo Ripples before going on vacation Aug. 31st. It was great plane knitting, including the lace section. I used Knit Picks' nifty little chart keeper to keep the pattern propped up on the seat in front of me, and on top of my luggage during layovers. I usually travel with small projects, but my list of large projects is so long that I've started to take larger projects with me wherever I go. I also get lots of interested looks and smiles these days - people seem to be more interested in what I'm knitting rather than the fact that I am knitting. That's a nice change. During my Chicago layover on the way home, a woman sat down next to me with a big smile and said "Let's see the lace you're knitting!" Turns out she had just returned from Scotland where she bought wool to knit. We started chatting as if we'd known each other for years. Keep on KIPing people!

Indigo Ripples is truly a beautiful skirt. I've already purchased more Hempathy to make another one for myself next season. The lace pattern and ruffly bottom flatter everyone. Kudos to Kat!

WIP Wednesday: Rosetta Skirt

The second half of the Rosetta skirt is almost done; I only have the ribbing for waist left to do. I've been curious about how the seams would look so decided to start. The photo below shows the "right side" of linen stitch, the seam at the top is stitched between the slipped stitches on the edge, the bottom is the invisible mattress stitch.

This picture shows the reverse side. The top is the reverse side of the traditional mattress stitch (invisible on the "right side"). You can see that it is a thicker seam. The bottom is the reverse side of the seam stitched between the slipped stitches.

If I stitch in the middle of the slipped stitches I can wear Rosetta as a reversible skirt, making the seam visible on both sides. However, after seeing Del's beautiful Dolman Pullover that has the seams on the outside, I'm tempted to do the regular mattress stitch making the seam invisible on the right side, with a bulkier seam on the reverse. What do you think?

Olga and Jason's Murka.

Zitron Unikat, Blues

I had the bright idea of using my leftover yarn to make baby clothes. I'm never ready when I find out that a friend or colleague is preggers. Last year this time, I dropped my WIPs to knit baby gifts, now I've dropped everything again to knit for two pregnant co-workers. Turns out that very little that I have is suitable: it's handwash, machine-washable but not dryable, or scratchy wool, or I don't have enough of whatever is suitable.

So I bought some kid-friendly yarn to make baby clothes, but I also bought this from someone on Ravelry:

It's Zitron Unikat in Blue. It's not washable, but I want to make this, and maybe this. These little knitted jean jackets are so cute that it doesn't matter. I will give them to someone who doesn't mind handwashing. They'll be the first FOs for the "unknown baby boom," as Amanda put it!

Jaeger is going out of business! Of course by the time I found out about it most of the Matchmaker DK and Extra Fine Merino DK in the colors I wanted were gone. Some places are still selling it at full price, but there isn't much left of that either. It may sadden one knitter friend, who just tossed her fun fur, that Jaeger "Fur" is especially hard to find! There's some here. She may want to knit these Prada items:

Harper's Bazaar, July 2007

Hmmm, well, though I come around some fashions years later, right now these knitted suits are more my style: Vogue, August 2007

Kinda.

Yarn Pron Friday: Habu Bamboo - All Wound Up

Habu Bamboo, XS-24 20/12

Thanks to everyone for your more than kind words about the Shapely Tank. Wish that I could thank you all individually, but you all know that Blogger can make that difficult.

Have fun with all your knits this weekend!

Rosetta Skirt and Swatching

Half of the "Rosetta" skirt is done. It's the big piece on the bottom. I knit half of it on the flight to Texas a week ago, and the other half while I was there. I've accounted for shrinkage and gauge is spot on, but before washing, it looks alarmingly big. I'll think about that later.

There are several swatches lying on top of it. Every time I get new yarn, I have the urge to cast on for a new project, no matter how many WIPs I have. I think swatching will be a way to satisfy that urge. I've really needed swatches recently to account for gauge of course, but also to observe shrinkage; how the yarn survives washing and drying; and testing for color fastness. I know you all know that, but I've been hard headed about swatching, knitting one once after the project is completed. Why have I had to do that? Well, my Orangina, which I never photographed after completing, is stained with some blue substance. I made it with Rowan Linen Drape and have no idea how it will hold up to various stain treatments. Notice the little lacy holes in the top swatch: I learned from someone's blog to knit a number of holes to correspond to the needle size used to knit the swatch. Clever.

Be sure to read this interesting Tim Gunn interview about fashion, Tim's new book, and the new season of Project Runway. I can't wait for it to come back.

Shapely Tank Finished!

Another finished object!

Started: June 2006
Finished: July 2007
Pattern: Shapely Tank, White Lies Designs
Yarn: School Products Natural Fantasy Cashmere
Needles: US 5 and 6 circulars
Modification: None


Love the fit! But next time I will make the shoulders narrower. I joined them with a three needle bind off. I like the garter stitch around the around the neckline, arm holes, and hem. It's hard to see, but there are short row darts where the side seam and hem meet, creating a shirt-tail effect. There are also short row bust darts, which I am not certain that I actually needed, but there they are. Olga kindly offered to show me how to mattress stitch the side seams, then just did them herself! Thanks, Olga! But I did learn, and later mattress stitched the white sleeveless turtleneck. It wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be, i.e. I didn't have to lay the pieces side-by-side on the floor and carefully stitch it. Instead, I matched up the seams on my propped up knees, then began. Once I got the rhythm of it, it was fairly easy. I hope to finish it next week.

WIP Wednesday: "Kusha" Shawl

I finished the Shapely Tank - pictures will follow. I've finished the white turtleneck too. I tried it on again and, oddly, it was longer than it was when I first tried it on! I don't know if I had on different under garments or what, but I may not cut it afterall. In the meantime I couldn't resist casting on for a new project and joining the new Habu KAL. So what else is new?!!?

I bought some Habu spiral slub at Stitches East last year and had no idea what I'd do with this green thread of a yarn flecked with tiny pink fuzzy stuff.

So when I saw all the Kusha Kusha scarves and shawls out there, I knew I wanted to knit this thread with wool stainless steel yarn to make a shawl like this one.

I'm knitting it on US 6 Addi Lace Turbos and I can feel the stainless steel lightly, but ominously scraping against the metal of the needles, but I really need those sharp points to easily pick up the stitches. The first few rows looked like this:

The pink slubbies are more subtle in natural light and now it looks like this:

It is fun to shape and form it and mesmerizing to knit. I can't imagine that it will be in the least bit warm, but will be a nice and unusual accessory.

Altering the Sleeveless Turtleneck and Other Stuff

Originally, I thought I would cut the turtleneck, pick up the stitches then knit the 2-3 inches I need, but that gave me the willies. So rather than cut it right away I decided to run a needle through the stitches six rows above the ribbing, and knit down from there. I probably don't need that many but I wanted to give myself some room to cut and unravel. If I knit from the rib up I would have to kitchener a quarter of the way across the bust line. I thought that it may be neater to pick up the stitches there instead. With the sweater upside down I picked up the right side of each stitch then knit from there. (Sorry for the quality of the pix - the lighting sucks.)

When I achieve the right length, I think I will knit onto the row just above the ribbing and then cut.

I'm progressing on a yellow top I'm adapting from a design by Twinkle.

The bottom half that will just cover the bust is knit in Cartridge Belt Rib. I will crochet the top half. There's no pattern that I know of, I'm making it up as a I go along.

I did not knit a border at the bottom so as not to call attention to my hips and I will likely not knit sleeves and collar like the original because they will make my shoulder appear broader than they are.

I swatched the Artfibers Rosetta in an 8x8" swatch as Sahara suggested. I'm using linen stitch.

I stretched the swatch, pulled it, and it resumed its original shape overnight. I washed it in warm water with a load of laundry, then machine dried it. The swatch lost about a half inch in length when wet, and a full inch lengthwise, and a half inch in width after drying.

I'll decide what kind of adjustments to make later. I like the idea of being able to dry it, but I'm afraid of what will happen to the yarn after multiple dryings.

Have a happy and safe 4th!