Make Knit Work: Episodes 9 & 10

Ok, so.....Project Runway. Gettin' down to the wire. Not without drama, though! I ended up not making one of these #MakeKnitWork posts for episode 8 because Claire's win was rescinded. I'm not going to comment on the twins, except to say that reality-show-justice was served and that should be that. They're still people. Everybody calm down. 

Ok! That said, here are episodes 9 and 10! Congrats to Michael and Ayana! Michael won the Shopkins avant garde challenge with his "melting disco ball." I liked the weird tube around her hips and took inspiration from that. My hooded jacket has puffy, stuffed, tube-like things across the body, around the bottom hem, and at the edge of the hood. The pullover has a giant cable traveling across the body, also echoing the tube thing in the original design, and an asymmetrical neckline. Something about asymmetry just speaks to me lately.

Sadly, Michael went home the following week, but Ayana won her second unconventional materials challenge! I liked the way she painted the hard hat and the construction of her skirt with the safety netting was incredible. I designed a hat with a layered, orange gradient, inspired by the hard hat. The hooded poncho is a very open mesh, like the skirt material, and the cardigan has graphic color patches down the front, much like the reflector pieces she applied to her bodice. After I drew it, I realized that entrelac would also be a good option for that. I love entrelac so much. One of these days, I'll find the perfect use for it! It will happen! haha

Have a great week, all! And don't forget to add the hashtag #MakeKnitWork if you post your own PR-inspired designs! 

Fall knitting for warm climates

Knitting a new design on a balcony in Hawaii.

Knitting a new design on a balcony in Hawaii.

I had a birthday! But, more importantly, my birthday means that IT’S FALL! I was born on the autumnal equinox, so this is always a fun time of year. The weather is getting cooler and knitters are eager to put more of their handiwork into the wardrobe rotation. But here’s the kicker for me and my SoCal sisters and brothers. It’s. Still. Hot. Like, sleeveless tanks and shorts and flip flops hot. 

I’m generally ok with that. I mean, I spent most of my life in climates that included super cold, snowy days, but I have grown SOFT, ladies and gentlemen. Changed! I am not the pink-nosed, cloud-breathing, snow kicker I once was since moving to a climate with dangling palm fronds and water-efficient landscaping. BUT that means fewer squishy sweaters….fewer hats….fewer scarves…no mittens or gloves! So what’s a warm weather knitter to do? 

Well, I was fortunate to come across another community that wrestles with the same limitations. My husband and I had the incredible, lucky opportunity to take a trip to Hawaii during my birthday week (without kids! Whaaaa???) and I made sure to walk to Yarn Story, one of the LYS’s on the island of Oahu. I met the owner, Paula (follow her hilarious, gorgeous instagram account at @yarnstoryhawaii), who I would probably insist become my friend if I lived there. She was welcoming and funny and knowledgable about the knitting community there and shared their own project preferences. I had a few “me, too!” moments, for sure.

So, in the spirit of sun-filled camaraderie, I decided to ask my local San Diego yarn shop owners for their favorite patterns for warm climate knitting and share them here with you! For this post, I will feature…

…the cardigan. The AC Avenger. All that stands between our skin and the tyranny of indoor climate control. It may be warm outside, but it’s COLD in here! Paula indicated that air conditioning was, at times, an issue in island life. Specifically, the university classrooms and the buses are often freezing or, as my son says, “chilly wizzies.” Knitters in Oahu like to pull out their cardigans to stay toasty while in transport or listening to a lecture. The warm weather cardigan is also good for the cruel shifts in pleasantness that result while sitting in a little bit of San Diego shade. So, here are a few options for our fellow sweaty stitchers in Oahu and San Diego county! 

Yarn shop: Needlecraft Cottage (website / facebook), owner Liz Walters (photos at left copyright Liz Walters)

Pattern: All Year Cardigan by Taiga Hilliard: "This is a great, top-down, easy cardigan pattern. The pattern includes a lot of sizes and the design works on all shapes. Done in wool, it's great for spring and fall, and milder winter days and indoors; in cotton or bamboo, the cardigan is perfect for warm spring days and all hours in the summer. It's a great cardigan to keep in the office for times when the AC is too cool or for trips into the server room. 

Top down sweaters usually don't have seams and you aren't fixed to a final number of stitches until you divide for the sleeves.  So, if your gauge is a bit off, no worries.  You can try on the sweater as you knit to see how it fits.  Finally, you can't run out of yarn at a critical place like sleeves or shoulders, because you do those first.  If you do run out of yarn (and can't get more) the worst that happens, is your sweater is a bit shorter.  And if your yarn is going further than hoped, you can make a longer sweater... keep going until you are out of yarn.  Less stress, more fun."

Suggested yarns by Needlecraft Cottage: 

For all-around use: Baah! Yarns Sonoma (store link / ravelry link / dyer link)

For summer Santa Anas: Universal Yarn Bamboo Pop (store link / ravelry link / dyer link)

For Spring and Autumn: Universal Yarn Cotton Supreme DK (store link / ravelry link / dyer link) and Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray (ravelry link / dyer link)

For something special:

1) Baah! Yarns Aspen - merino, cashmere, silk (store link / ravelry link / dyer link)

2) Baah! Yarns Platinum - merino, cashmere, silk, sparkle (store link / ravelry link / dyer link)

3) Baah! Yarns Savannah - merino, cashmere, nylon (store link / ravelry link / dyer link) 

4) Baah! Yarns Manhattan - merino, cashmere (store link / ravelry link ) 

Yarn Shop: Apricot Yarn (website / facebook / instagram), owner Sara Heckman (photos at left copyright Sara Heckman)

Pattern: Garter Stitch Cardigan by Erika Knight: "As a mom to three girls, I have enjoyed knitting for them all as babies. I think knitting for a baby is a really special experience. I have items knit by my great grandmothers. I would love to give those heirloom pieces I have knit to my girls, if they have children. 

"This sweet pattern is simple and classic. It can be for a boy or girl and you can use a cotton or wool yarn, depending on the season or climate. Here in San Diego, a cotton cardigan can be worn most of the year with only a short amount of time when a warmer sweater is needed. Erika Knight's approach to baby knits is classic and simple."

Suggested Yarns by Apricot Yarn:

Gossypium Cotton by Erika Knight - 100% cotton (ravelry link)

Zara by Filatura Di Crosa - a super wash merino option that is so soft for baby (ravelry link)

Yarn Shops: Yarn and Thread Expressions (website / facebook), owner Carol Fuller, and Yarn Story Hawaii (website / facebook / instagram), owner Paula

Pattern: Hitofude Cardigan by Hiroko Fukatsu (photos at left copyright Hiroko Fukatsu):

Carol says it is "flattering on many body shapes, just enough warmth on the shoulders, back and arms to keep comfortable in San Diego, innovative construction and beautiful lace stitching"

Paula adds, "I love color work cardigans, but when dealing with Hawaii's almost permanent beach weather a girls got to be practical. So, the cardigan I end up wearing the most is Hiroko Fukusatsu's Hitofude cardi, which is great for three reasons: 1) it's lace so there's airflow, 2) it's fingering weight which is about as thick as you can go in Hawaii, and 3) the pattern is surprising simple once correctly sized and the stitch pattern is easily memorized. I don't even need to bring it with me when I work on it."

Suggested yarns by Yarn and Thread Expressions: Baah La Jolla, Ella Rae Lace Merino Dk, Mirasol Sulka Legato 

Suggested yarns by Yarn Story Hawaii: Any superwash sock is ideal. I love using Manos del Uruguay's "Alegria," but a friend of mine who lives on the leeward side (the hottest and driest part!) knit hers in Shibui Linen which looked gorgeous. Right now I'm working on a new one in Shibui Staccato.