Friday, March 21, 2008

Sssilky Mmmerino Entrelac Wrap-Up

The yarn:

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The stitch pattern:

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The Plan:

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The wrap:

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Entrelac Wrap (using entrelac stitch pattern from Vogue Knitting Stitchionary Vol. 1, p. 175)
Malabrigo Silky Merino, color "Bosques," 50% Silk / 50% Baby Merino Wool (150 yards / 50 g per skein), 4 skeins
US 6 (4.0 mm) Knitpicks Options circular needles
US E/4 (3.5 mm) crochet hook

With the idea of making a scarf, I cast on 40 stitches and began the entrelac pattern (each square is 10 stitches wide by 20 rows tall). I soon realized that I should have cast on only 20 or 30 stitches, as it was coming out much wider than I'd initially thought it would, and the two skeins of yarn I started with weren't going to make a very long scarf. I thought about making a neckwarmer, but my short "scarf" was so wide I would have had to fold it in half lengthwise unless I wanted it to cover my eyes, and that seemed like kind of a waste. So what did I do?

IMG_2269.jpg "right" side
IMG_2291.jpg "wrong" side

I ordered more yarn : )

... and changed my plan to make a wrap-type piece instead. You can see in my "Plan" (above) that I shaped the wrap through strategically binding off (BO) the edges of some squares and leaving the edges of others on stitch holders (*) before changing the direction of my workflow and re-incorporating those held stitches. After finishing the knitting, I used single crochet to neaten up the original cast on and final bound off edges and to reinforce the center back "V," which you can see here:

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I used up almost every bit of yarn (luckily my calculations were good). After washing and blocking, the fabric lost it's highly 3-dimensional quality, but, in exchange, it's now gorgeously soft and drapey.

For fun, here's a peak at what the entrelac pattern looks like backlit:

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More Model Knitting for Schaefer

I started another knit for Schaefer Yarn Company. It's the Andrea Dogwood Blossom Wrap in the beautiful "Dian Fossey" colorway.

When I wound the yarn into a ball, I discovered this lovely pooling on the ball itself:

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... from lighter greens at the top edge of the ball to darker tones at the bottom edge. Cool, huh! I'm about halfway through the first of 7 and a half repeats of the charted pattern - and enjoying it so far.

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New Technique

I also started something else. Two of the things I want to learn to do this year are stranded knitting and continental knitting, so I'm getting some practice with with both knitting Eunny Jang's ubiquitious Endpaper Mitts.

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I'm using Hand Jive Knits Nature's Palette Fingering Weight yarn in subtly variegated dark and light teal. I wasn't sure at first, but I think there's enough contrast between the two shades.

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I'm having, ahem, "fun" trying to learn to knit with yarn in each hand.... I think I'm getting better at it, but only time will tell how crazily uneven the stitches look after washing and blocking : )

...and if you have been disappointed by the dearth of felines so far in this post, I will point out that there is, in fact, an out of focus kitty in one of the above photos - but here's another (in focus) kitty for your enjoyment:

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P.S. Thanks for all your nice comments about the Thrummed Mittens!

36 comments:

jennsquared said...

Wow, that's a great wrap! I really like it! I think you should wear it next Thursday to SnB :).

I want to try that mittens as well! I've been practicing continental style as well, but I can't seem to get the purl as smooth as the knit stitch.

And the dogwood is beautiful!

Jeannie said...

The entrelac wrap is beautiful and I really like the shape. It looks like it will stay where you put it.

The endpaper mitts are looking good so far. I couldn't knit with one color in each hand, so I hold both of them in my left.

The dogwood wrap looks pretty. That looks like a good pattern for variegated yarn.

Lauren said...

I really like the shape of the wrap. It is a bit different but looks great on!

Anonymous said...

oh wow I really like the color combination you are using for the endpaper mitts!! It is definitely a nice contrast going on

Bryony Ramsden said...

Wow! What a post! My laptop is covered in drool and envy! And I too love the contast for the mitts. There is far too much gorgeousness here for just you - you should pass some on, maybe in my direction ;)

Anonymous said...

Great solution- "order more yarn." The drape and shape are just lovely! Can't wait to see the rest of the other wrap & the endpapers. How do you like the Nature's Palette?

Ruth said...

Very pretty wrap! The stripiness of the way the yarn is dyed gives it a lot of great drama that goes well with the drape.

Anonymous said...

Your wrap came out beautifully!

I had to practice a LOT to get the hang of 2-handed knitting. I'm still not proficient, but it does get easier.

That lace pattern is perfect for that color!

Virtuous said...

LUV your Mal Silk wrap!!

It came out beautiful!!

Leslie said...

Damn you're a good knitter! The wrap is to die for and the continental on dpn's? oh.my.god.

I can knit continental but have never mastered the purl. Since you don't purl much in knitting in the round that's ok :) It's a handy skill to have.

LizKnits said...

Love that wrap ... it looks amazing!

Christie said...

What a beautiful entrelac! Such an easy technique and such a wonderful result.

I'm lovin' the colors of the other scarf too

Kari said...

You never disappoint! I LOVE your color choices for the Endpaper mitts, I can't wait to see more!

And I'm totally jealous, I can't find the new Silky Merino anywhere! Gorgeous wrap, it looks lovely on you, too.

Anonymous said...

The wrap is GORGEOUS! I love the way you think, ordering more yarn and figuring a way to make it work. I will go to great lengths to avoid frogging too ; )

The Kelly Green Rogue said...

ok in the green I think that dogwood wrap looks like 4 leaf clovers! I love that green yarn! Just gorgeous!

Meghan said...

The entrelac scarf is lovely--it fits very well with all the exotic prints coming out this season. Thanks for your comment on my blog! I'm considering my first pattern as kind of a gateway pattern--get people hooked, and keep them coming back!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like great yarn you used on your entrelac wrap. The lace your'e knitting looks beautiful, and Endpaper Mitts - one of the prettiest patterns out there. I'm sure you'll enjoy your finished product.

Lara said...

The entrelac wrap is absolutely gorgeous! I love the design. I really love how your endpaper mits are turning out - the colors are so pretty! I love stranded knitting. It is a challenge using both hands but it makes for fun knitting too. Certainly not boring!

Ella said...

Oh my gosh - that entrelac scarf is SO COOL. The colors! The texture! So neat!

I'm excited to see how the endpapers turn out too - it's such a pretty pattern - I think the teals will be beautiful...

Meredith said...

The wrap is gorgeous--and you can tell from the pictures just how soft and silky it is.

Deenz said...

Pretty! I've got to get me some Silky Merino...

Sarah said...

Fabulous wrap! I can only imagine how nice that silky merino feels on the neck.

My experience with stranded knitting is that it definitely feels very awkward at first (kind of like you're just learning to knit), but once you're finished with your first stranded piece, it's almost natural.

Anonymous said...

The entrelac? All I can say is "Wow!" I love your Endpapers, too. The colors you chose are lovely! I went for a tone-on-tone theme with mine, too, and I really like the way they turned out. I think yours will be so pretty!

spajonas said...

that's an amazing wrap!! i love it!

Anonymous said...

You are so talented--I'm a beginning knitter who is in awe of entrelac and thrumming!!! And the hilarious kitty photos are a wonderful bonus.

LisaB said...

Love the wrap!

The Dollars said...

What a beautiful job on the wrap! I love it! I really love the Andrea Dogwood Blossom Wrap, too. With the green it reminds me of clovers and St. Patrick's day. Good timing!

Anonymous said...

Ordering more yarn was definitely the way to go. It's lovely! :o) I've been thinking of making tone on tone Endpaper Mitts too, as protection from my office's summer a/c blast-out.

Oiyi said...

I adore the colors of your Endpaper Mitts. The Entrelac wrap is gorgeous!

YarnSnob said...

stunning!

Kasia said...

I love the wrap a lot! Very smart and looking so nice and cozy! The other projects look very lovely too! You're being busy, aren't you?

Madge said...

Your entrelac wrap is beautiful!

And it's great to see you're knitting more lacy goodness for Schaefer. (that colorway and pattern...mrowr)

Anonymous said...

this is off topic--but you should rename your blog 'kittens in mittens'
clever eh? and cheesy too-bonus!

Anonymous said...

Your FO's always inspire me. Entrelac scares the bejeebus out of me, to be honest, even more than lace knitting.

Oh, and "dearth" is a most excellent word, almost as good a "paucity," which lends itself better to bad cat-related puns.

Amy said...

Your posts are always so jam-packed with scrumptious knits! There's only one word for all of them, and that's: YUM.

Knittymuggins said...

Wow, your entrelac shawl is gorgeous! Great job! I especially love that photo of it backlit so you can see what the pattern looks like :)

And I think your endpaper mitts are going to be simply beautiful when you finish! Have a great weekend!

knittymuggins