Creative Knitting Supplies-Stitch Marker Alternatives

Corliss on the Bay-Fair Harbor General Store

In preparation for our vacation, I had stocked up on knitting supplies but I underestimated the number of stitch markers that I would need. With 4 lace projects going at the same time, additional stitch markers are a necessity! Unfortunately, I underestimated how many I would need.

When you’re away from your LYS, knitting supplies can be difficult to come by. This is particularly true when you’re on a beach vacation in an island town that only has a food store and a general store which focuses on household supplies and beach goods. 

We went to Corliss on the Bay, Fair Harbor’s lone general store. A couple of years ago, I had bought some attractive paper clips that I thought might do the trick. But alas, they were out of stock. The helpful clerk brought me over to a sewing section (which contained about 7 items) where they had a massive box of safety pins. Since I’m working with fine lace weight yarn, I didn’t want it to get ripped on the safety pin coils which has happened to me in the past. I examined the children’s beading section in hopes of some alternative without luck.

My husband went to the owner and asked about washers and other plumbing related supplies. The owner showed him a plastic box filled with various sections filled with different sized black rubber o-rings. When I saw them, my eyes lit up. They were perfect! I hope that no one in town needs any in the near future since I cornered the supply of small sizes. 

 

o-Rings as Stitch Holders

 

O-Rings as Stitch Markers on Nightsong Shawl in Pink Cashmere

It’s funny since one of my knitting buddies bought up the supply of black stitch markers from a merchant at MDSW. These black rubber beauties were equally good!

When I got back to my knitting, I found that these rubber o-rings were better than the hard plastic stitch markers since they gripped the metal circular needles and helped keep my stitches in place. I am so happy. I’m planning a trip to Home Depot when I get back to NYC! 

Submitted by Knitted Yarns Editor-in-Chief

Not Your Grandmother’s Antique Lace Doilies

 

Cestari Wool on Fair Harbor

Of late, I have been drawn to old fashioned lace doilies. It’s not that I have a burning need for lace doilies or that I am redecorating every flat surface of my apartment with perfectly round circles of tiny little stitches of white knitting cotton. Rather it’s the way that the patterns emerge as you knit round and round. It’s the wonderful selection displayed on Ravelry and how others have used these designs in other areas such as baby blankets and shawls. 

As a result, I have spent more than my fair share of time looking at the work of other Ravelers who have shared their work online and patterns posted on free sites. While many of these patterns don’t have charts to accompany them, many of the patterns use only a small number of stitches which is relatively easy to chart. 

Using some wonderfully colored magenta, lavender and black wool from a small VA producer named Cestari that I acquired from a friend during a yarn swap, I am making a friend a set of 4 placemats since the wool feels itchy. It’s interesting that the wool still retains its lanolin which may be affecting my hands. I am using size 8 needles, double points at the center and then my Denises. The problem with the Denises is that there is a tendency for them to open. Fortunately, the wool grips itself so that I haven’t had dropped stitches!

Two Color Lace Doily in process

Based on the lace doily in lavender that I made my friend Amanda, I decided that I would need about 60 rows to make a circular placemat. After looking through the lace doily patterns on Ravelry, I decided to make the two color lace pattern. I tried two times and found that the pattern didn’t lend itself to being adapted for my purposes, so I frogged two half complete versions. While the idea of using a pattern that was made for two colors was good, I found the pattern didn’t hold my interest. Also, it was ripply which I didn’t like either!

Heirloom Lace Doily - Do Over

Heirloom Lace Doily on Fair Harbor Beach

Instead, I decided to switch to the Liz Snella’s Heirloom Lace Doily. At the center, it’s similar to the Hemlock Ring Doily and Blanket. Since it has a couple of places where there are 4 rows of knit stitch, it’s good for switching colors. Also, it’s got both written instructions and charts. Being on vacation without access to a printer, I bookmarked the pattern on my computer so that I could use it.

Submitted by Knitted Yarns Editor-in-Chief

Beach Patterns-Knitting Inspiration on Fire Island

Fair Harbor Beach

Patterns are an integral part of knitting. They are the instructions that we read and the sequence of stitches that we make to create wonderful hand made creations from various fibers. 

Spend time on any beach and you’ll see natural patterns emerging. Being in true sunlight can have a wonderful impact on the color and shadows that emerge. They can be sources of inspiration for new stitches and ways of imagining garments and other knitting projects. Norah Gaughan in her book Knitting Nature draws on naturally occurring patterns.

Here are some of the patterns that I found while on vacation in Fire Island. In particular, I was drawn to the way that wood was used and the patterns it formed. I could envision sweaters with ribs and/or colors translating these shapes.

Dune Fencing on Fair Harbor-Could be sweater ribbing

Gate Design - Two Colored Graphic for a Sweater?

 

Board Walk Pattern

 

Fence Shadow as Sweater Pattern Inspiration

What do you think? Have you used any of nature’s patterns in your knitting?

Submitted by Knitted Yarns Editor-in-Chief

Shell Stash-A Knitter’s View

Shells clustered after high tide on Fire Island Beach

Regardless of age, it seems that people, particularly women, who walk along the water’s edge on ocean beaches stop to pick up shells. The type of shells accumulated depend on the beach and time of year. Children tend to go for the larger clam shells (at least on Fire Island) which can be decorated and turned into wonderful DIY projects. While adults are more selective in their collections; they tend to look for a specific type of shell.

I have bowls of shells decorating my apartment from various vacations including some wonderful ruffled clam shells from my honeymoon in the Cook Islands. 

As I walked along the Fair Harbor beaches in the early morning hours, it occurred to me that collecting shells was a lot like amassing stash. I tend to pick up one type of shell that catches my fancy.

This year, I was surprised to find numerous snail shells and small sand dollars that were vacated. After being in the Cook Islands where any abandoned shell would be inhabited by a hermit crab (in fact, several of the shells that I thought were empty crept away during the night!), it seemed that the New York based creatures lived more extravagantly when there were abandoned shells to be had.

Colored Clam Shells

More Fire Island Shells

Snail shells collected in Fair Harbor, NY

Like knitting, together these shells form patterns and can be sources of inspiration for future creative projects. 

Submitted by Knitted Yarns Editor-in-Chief

Mitered Tank Top on Fair Harbor Beach

 

Peaceful Knitting Venue on Fair Harbor Beach

Norah Gaughan’s Mitered Tank Top from the Summer 2009 Vogue Knitting shows off Norah’s genius for designing tops with unusual shapes that are flattering for women to wear. At the bottom, the Mitered Tank Top starts with enough stitches on one side to make the bottom of most sweaters! It uses a decorative decrease to form a flattering line which I adjusted my knitting to ensure that it flowed through the waist band ribbing.

Among my modifications were:

• Only used one color of cotton. It was a wonderful light green with slubs which are a godsend for those of us whose plain knit may be imperfect! I am not adding any glitter to the top as shown in Vogue.
• Knit the waistband without changing needles since it made the top too small for my waist.
• Made increases for the bust at the same point as the decorative decreases below the waist. I increased stitches on the outside of the stitch so that they form a decorative detail and look like darts!

Knitting on the beach in Fair Harbor, the wind and dampness hampered my speed but I had fun putting my knitting on the sand for pictures. Although for some reason, the colors are off in some of the photos.

Mitered Tank Top to Waist on Fair Harbor Beach

Mitered Tank Top Back with a view of Atlantic Ocean on Fair Harbor Beach

 

Submitted by Knitted Yarns Editor-in-Chief

Fire Island Bound-Knitting to Follow

Fair Harbor Flag on Fire Island

We’re off to Fair Harbor in Fire Island. It’s a wonderful town on one of the shelter islands off the southern coast of Long Island. From Manhattan, it takes a LIRR train, jitney (fancy name for a mini bus from the train station to the ferry) and a ferry to get to.

The trip takes about 2 1/2 hours from the time you leave NYC’s Penn Station until you set foot on Fire Island. But once you arrive, you feel like you’ve left the city far behind.

 

 

Welcome to Fair Harbor, Fire Island, NY

Since Fire Island is a small island, there are few four wheel vehicles. A few year round residents and people who compose the local businesses have cars; otherwise, they are forbidden.

View from Fair Harbor-Fire Island, NY

The beach is a US National Coast Line and sitting by the water’s edge you feel the wonder of the natural beauty. Since Fire Island is difficult to get to and there are few public facilities, the beaches are relatively empty.

For me, it’s a great place to sit in a beach chair with my knitting in hand and listen to the constant sound of the water lapping up to the shore.

Submitted by Knitted Yarns Editor-in-Chief

Planning Vacation Knitting

Overcast skies at Fair Harbor Beach

This year, we’re going to Fire Island for a beach vacation where we both get to indulge in our hobbies. My husband wind surfs in the bay and I knit on the ocean beach.

In preparation, I plan out my knitting, especially since there aren’t any yarn stores on Fire Island in case I run out of yarn or supplies or get bored with my current project(s).  To this end, I like to bring a variety of projects that involve different types of knitting and materials. 

For me, beach knitting is great for zen knitting where you get into the knitting zone without having to think. I find that it allows me to relax. This can be good for complex patterns such as lace, long projects that require lots of knitting which would take months otherwise, quick projects that you can finish in an afternoon on the beach or more simple minded projects requiring little thinking. 

When it comes to vacation knitting, I  tend to over pack since I like having the option of changing projects. Vacation knitting is a great way of having a memory of your vacation in terms of the finished item. 

This year, I’m  bringing a combination of pieces. Since I’m looking to reduce the number of WIPs and my stash,there are some stash buster projects in the queue. Here’s what I’m bringing with me:

1] Fountain Pen Shawl (Source: Interweave Magazine 2009)- This project has been planned for outdoor summer knitting since I’m using black Malabrigo sock yarn that I bought on sale at The Point. Alyssa, the manager, inspired this project. After knitting the Shetland Lace Scarf, I had promised myself not to make any more black lace pieces until my choices for the Malabrigo sock yarn were been black or white (and I have tons of white yarn from last year’s wedding projects!). 

2] Nightsong aka Gail (Source: Free Online) This project is already in progress using a free pattern that I found on the internet for free. I used the comments on Ravelry to help me. I’m using a cobweb weight lace cashmere. Between the fineness of the yarn and the complexity of the pattern, it’s taking longer than expected to finish. It’s a present that’s due on July 1st which is definately going to be late.

3] Hemlock Ring Blankie (Source:  Brooklyn Tweed). I’m planning to knit this project in a cotton, wool, silk blend made by a small producer. The yarn looks more interesting than it is to knit with. Usually, I’m not one to jump on such a big internet trend like the Hemlock Ring Blanket but lately I’ve been bitten by the lace doily bug and wanted to use a tried and try pattern to better understand how to extend a doily. This project is a gift.

4] Mitered Top (Source: Vogue Knitting Summer 2009). This is a Norah Gaughan pattern which should have a broader audience given it’s great line. It may be the mix of yarns that turns some people off. Given the way that the top gets more fitted may hurt its following, at least on Ravelry. (Part of NaKniSweMoDo)

5] Grey-Beige-White Long Sleeve Top. (Source:  Basic seater top.) This sweater was started back in March since I wanted a hand made sweater for the spring. Unfortunately, I didn’t get it finished in time. The colors were perfect for the spring in an Anny Blatt/Bouton D’Or linen blend called New Jeans. I am knitting it in a reverse 3/1 rib with a v-neck. The project is crawling towards completion. (Part of NaKniSweMoDo)

6] More knitted doilies. (Source: Online) Using Ravelry’s search function, I’ve been collecting a variety of patterns to test using scraps and swapped yarn. (Recycle projects to use up yarn while creating something useful.)

When I started this list the Botanica Medallion top on the cover of the Summer 2009 Vogue Knitting and my Estonian Lace Shawl were in the queue but I decided to cut back a bit.

In addition, I’ve made sure that I have hard copies of all of the patterns and put them into plastic sleeves to protect them. I  also fortified my knitting notions to ensure that I have enough stitch markers and highlighter tape to keep my projects straight.

Of course, this is more knitting than I can do in this period of time but I believe that it’s better to be overstocked with projects than being bored!

What do  you do for your vacation   knitting?

Sumbtted by Knitted Yarns Editor-in-Chief

Knitting on Fair Harbor Beach in September

We managed to get one more weekend on the beach to get away from New York City and enjoy the lapping waves. September is a great time to go to Fire Island since the beach is empty except for the few brave souls enjoying the peaceful rhythm of the sands.  Of course, since I’m always cold, it means layers of clothes and coverings! It makes knitting with wool a welcome pleasure.

Fair Harbor, Fire Island in September

 

Fair Harbor Beach on Fire Island - September 2008

Koigu and Tess' Yarns Projects Protected on Fair Harbor Beach

Huddled beneath my layers of warmth (no swimsuits needed!), I worked on two projects, the Koigu Lace Ribbon Scarf and my Purple Chevron Sweater. It’s wonderful to work outside in natural sunlight which brings out the fullness of the colors. Here are some Yarn Harlot inspired photos.

Tess' Twinkle Yarn in Purple on Fair Harbor Beach

Purple Chevron Sweater on Fair Harbor Beach

 

Koigu Ribbon Lace Scarf Stretches on Fair Harbor Beach

From a creative perspective, the beach and environs are great sources of knitting inspiration from the undulating sands to the wild grasses.

Untouched Sands - Textured Knitting Inspiration

Wild Grasses as Textile Inspiration

Baby Kimono and Warshrag on Fire Island Beach

We were lucky to sneak in a couple of days on Fire Island after our honeymoon. Fire Island is a shelter island off the southern shore of Long Island which is like a piece of heaven on earth (although nothing like the Cook Islands!)  While my husband wind surfed, I knitted on the beach. In addition to my honeymoon projects, I had two small projects which is unusual for me.

 

Summer 2008 on Fair Harbor Beach

Leaf Lace Kimono Progresses on Fair Harbor Beach

Honeymoon Vest Arrives at Fair Harbor

Sunset on Fair Harbor With Boats

Sunset on Fair Harbor

 

For a friend who was pregnant, I made a baby kimono from Mason Dixon Knits. It’s a wonderful piece of knitting that’s easy to do. I had checked it out on Ravelry and fund numerous versions of it. I made it in a butter yellow which could work for a boy or a girl.

 

Heartbreakingly Cute Baby Kimono in Yellow Cotton

 

For a friend’s knitting bee, a group of us decided to make her a basket full of hand made washcloths. It was like a KAL. We all used Rowan Cotton and the wash cloth had to be nine inches square. I was excited since I had wanted an opportunity to test out the warshrag pattern also in Mason Dixon Knits. I bought black and pale pink for my washcloth which I called “Good and Plenty” since it was the same color as the candy! I must say that it was a fun pattern to knit and gave me an opportunity to test out another way to knit two colors that made a nice texture.

 

Columbus Day Weekend on Fire Island- Knitting at the Water’s Edge

With the warm fall weather, bordering on summery, we decided to sneak in a couple of last days of sun on the beach in Fire Island. Despite the warm weather, the town was closed tight except for the restaurant when we arrived in the late afternoon.

Here’s the beach house awaiting our arrival:

 

Fortunately, the weather was warm so that we could sit by the deserted ocean’s edge and take in nature. Of course, I brought my knitting along. The beach was peaceful and deserted until mid-afternoon when the fog burned off so I  continued to make progress on my Lace-Front Sweater and Souvenir Socks.

Unlike in peak season, the town was quiet except for a few others who like us wanted another view of the ocean before its winter cold. It was good to be able to quietly knit and sit while the rhythmically water lapped the shore.