The Waste Land

Lilac | Matthias Rhomberg I. THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD APRIL is the cruellest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain. T.S. Eliot (1888–1965).  The Waste Land.  1922. It's been a while since I shared a poem here. The turning of the seasons seems to inspire something I suppose. Today I bring you a wee tiny taste of the Waste Land by T. S. Eliot. I hope you liked it.

Pendleton Cowl

Good Day to you!

Welcome to April! This month brings us to a pattern that is perhaps a bit controversial. Let me start by saying that I love it. I especially love wearing it. That said, you should probably sit down and pour yourself a drink before reading the next part.

The Pendleton Cowl is a fair isle style stranded knitted cowl worked in laceweight yarn. Now just breathe... It is actually not hard at all to do. I found it pretty fun even!

Admiring the lovely blankets at Pendleton Woolen Mills

Inspiration: An Oregon institution since 1863, Pendleton Woolen Mills sets THE standard for fine wool blankets and clothing. This cowl is a tribute to the designs and patterns found in classic Pendleton blankets. Make it traditional and knit it in vintage-inspired colors as I did, or make it modern with a contemporary palette. The Pendleton style is timeless!

Motifs in the cowl mimic Pendleton blankets

This medium-level pattern is worked in the round with four colors. It includes stripes and charted stranded Fair Isle-style colorwork. The cowl starts with a provisional cast on, is a knit in the round as a tube, then grafted together at the end.

The yarn in the sample is Malabrigo Lace - a lovely baby merino wool that is so incredibly soft. You’ll need four different colors to follow the pattern as written. I chose a light, a dark, a bright and a neutral. Feel free to play with your own ideas!

Cozy and soft!

Photography by Vivian Aubrey. (Thank you Vivian!) We had so much fun when we went to the Pendleton shop to take these pictures. Vivian even picked up 8 pounds of fine wool scraps in a lovely soft blue and tan plaid pattern to make a braided rug. I can't wait to see that! 

I hope you like the cowl - I am really happy with the design and feel. Thanks for spending some time with me today.

Pendleton Cowl Pattern is $4.99



Want more? This pattern is part of the Stumptown Knits Collection: a monthly pattern club featuring 6 accessory patterns inspired by the place you live and the place you love. For me, it's Portland, Oregon.

Benefits for joining the club:

• When finished, the club will be compiled into an e-book. The e-book will be included in the cost of the club for those who join.

• Half the cost of buying the individual patterns.

• Individual patterns as well as finished e-book (at the end of the club) can be stored in your Ravelry library.

• Knit-a-longs! This time we will have official knit-a-longs each month with prizes! See my group here for info.

• 20% off discount codes to use at Twisted. All of the yarns used in this club are available for purchase there and if you want to match the yarns I’m using, you can!

Join now! Only $15.99

buy now

What are you waiting for?!

Hiya friends! Have a quick sec for a little story involving knitting and chocolate?

chocolate photo by John Loo via Flickr

About a week ago I was busy working on the final touches for next month's Stumptown pattern and needed a break. I went to the website of one of my favorite chocolate makers (Vosges) aaaand five hours later had designed a truffle and entered a contest with it.

Now my truffle is in the running to actually get made!

It's down to voting now. I wish they would just pick the one they like but alas, I get to beg ask everyone to vote for me instead. It's obnoxious, I know, but I really want to win this thing!

Photo by Windell Oskay via Flickr

Ratcha Anachak Thai

by Star Athena | 

Vote here

Truffle Ingredients & Inspiration:
I often find myself gathered with friends… talking, eating, playing, knitting, sharing, dreaming. We talk of travel, love, ideas, and chocolate.

I recently dreamed of a milk chocolate truffle while eating noodles with friends at a local food cart. The spicy peanut sauce kept us warm in the Portland rain.

ingredients:
+ Peanut Butter
+ Galangal/Ginger
+ Brown Sugar
+ Coconut Milk
+ Lime
+ Cayenne
+ Finished with a dusting of toasted sesame seeds

I long to share these truffles with friends at our next gathering as we knit and daydream together. I expect they would disappear quickly!

Like it? Please vote for me here. Tell your friends too, if you're feeling extra kind! Thank you all!

The Ides of March

Greetings knitpeople! It's mid-March again. In Portland, that means rain, rosemary shoestrings at Burgerville, and, naturally, a sock pattern. This one is even featured in Knitting Socks from Around the World: 25 Patterns in a Variety of Styles and Techniques!

Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar

ACT 1, Scene 2:

CAESAR: Who is it in the press that calls on me? I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music, Cry 'Caesar!' Speak; Caesar is turn'd to hear.

SOOTHSAYER: Beware the ides of March.

CAESAR: What man is that?

BRUTUS: A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March.

CAESAR: Set him before me; let me see his face.

CASSIUS: Fellow, come from the throng; look upon Caesar.

CAESAR: What say'st thou to me now? speak once again.

SOOTHSAYER: Beware the ides of March.

CAESAR: He is a dreamer; let us leave him: pass.

Ides of March

The Ides of March was once a festive day dedicated to the Roman god Mars. In modern times, the term Ides of March is best known as the date that Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 B.C. This sock design was inspired by ancient Roman tile. Just go ahead and jump in - there is nothing to beware of here!

Sizes available: Women’s Small, Medium, Large

Foot circumference: 7 (8, 9) inches 17.5 (20, 23 cm) unstretched. Will stretch to fit 8 (9, 10) inches 20 (23, 25.5 cm).

Gauge: 32 sts/48 rows = 4" in st st

Needles: 1 set US #1/2.25mm 32” circular needles (magic loop) OR 2 sets of 24” circulars (two circulars) OR double pointed needles, or size to get gauge.

Cabled Cuff

Yarn: Two contrasting colors of fingering-weight yarn that gives you proper gauge. You’ll need approx 50 (70, 90) grams of the Main Color and 30 (35, 40) grams of a Contrasting Color. Sample shown is knit with Shalimar Yarns Zoe Sock (100% SUPERWASH Merino wool; 450 yd per 4 oz skein), color: cayenne; 1 skein and Dream in Color Smooshy (100% SUPERWASH Merino wool; 450yd per 4oz skein), color: purple rain; 1 skein.

Notions: Cable needle, Tapestry needle, and (optional) a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of the round.

Slipping stitches under the foot

NOTES: This advanced sock pattern is worked from the cuff down with two colors. It includes a sideways cabled cuff, mosaic knitting, a heel flap, and a grafted toe. The slipped stitches create a fabric that is slightly less stretchy than standard stockinette stitch. Keep this in mind when choosing yarn and sock size.

What are you waiting for?

Oh yeah, the pattern comes with a word seek puzzle at the end, just for fun!

Buy this pattern now here: $4.99

Laurelhurst Socks

Greetings friends and welcome to March!

I can’t believe we are already halfway through the Stumptown Knits club patterns! After a scarf and hat, it seemed like it was time for a sock pattern. Socks are my comfort zone, and this time stripes are involved! There is only one sock pattern in this collection and I’m really happy with it:

Hello Laurelhurst Socks!

Laurelhurst Socks

Inspiration

Laurelhurst Park is a beautiful patch of nature in the center of a busy neighborhood in Southeast Portland. It’s been named “the most beautiful park” on the west coast by the Pacific Coast Parks Association and was the first park to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

To me, Laurelhurst Park is a fine place to read under the shade of the conifers on a sunny summer day. (One can dream, right?) 

I designed these socks with conifers in mind for the lace cuff. The detail is inspired by the Douglas Fir, a local tree with a distinctive cone. Can you tell?

Douglas Fir cone (center)

Douglas Fir Cone Lace Cuff

Details:

Sizes: Women’s Medium (Large)

Foot circumference: (2 sizes)
7.5 (8.75) inches (19, 22 cm) unstretched. Will stretch to fit 8.5 (9.75) inches (21.5, 25 cm).

Two colors

This pattern is worked from the cuff down with two colors. It includes lace, stripes, slipped stitches, a stranded heel flap, and a grafted toe. There are two different striping options: Wide Stripes (Grey and blue sample) and Skinny Stripes (Grey and red sample). The lace is charted.

Red: Skinny Stripes. Blue: Wide Stripes

Yarn: Fingering-weight sock yarn in two colors that gives you proper gauge. Sample shown: Plucky Knitter Primo Fingering [75% Merino Wool, 20% Cashmere, 5% Nylon; 385yd per 100 gram skein]; colors: Wide stripes: (MC) Elegant Elephant, (CC) Bohemian Blue. Skinny stripes: (MC) Flannel, (CC) Peep Toes.

Bohemian Blue with Elegant Elephant

Needles: 1 set US #1/2.25mm 32” circular needles or double pointed needles, or size to get gauge.

Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle.

Gauge: 32 sts/48 rows = 4" in st st

This pattern was tested by Basaltimum and teilzeitheldin. Basaltimum knitted the red pair. Socks were modeled by Star Athena and Lee Meredith. All photography by Vivian Aubrey.

Lee pretending it isn't so terribly cold out

Hand knit socks are just the thing!

Laurelhurst Sock Pattern is $4.99

buy now

add to cart

show cart

Want more? This pattern is part of the Stumptown Knits Collection: a monthly pattern club featuring 6 accessory patterns inspired by the place you live and the place you love. For me, it's Portland, Oregon.

Benefits for joining the club:

• When finished, the club will be compiled into an e-book. The e-book will be included in the cost of the club for those who join.

• Half the cost of buying the individual patterns.

• Individual patterns as well as finished e-book (at the end of the club) can be stored in your Ravelry library.

• Knit-a-longs! This time we will have official knit-a-longs each month with prizes! See my group here for info in January.

• 20% off discount codes to use at Twisted. All of the yarns used in this club are available for purchase there and if you want to match the yarns I’m using, you can!

Join now! Only $15.99
buy now
add to cart
show cart

What are you waiting for?!

Leap Day, 2012

Four years ago I blogged about spinning yarn on leap day. A lot has happened in my life since then as I imagine it has in yours.

I'd like to present a flashback to that day, because even though it was four years ago, it is resonating on my frequency today.


Leap Day:

Today is a special day that only exists in secret gardens, magic castles, and enchanted forests... a hidden room behind a bookcase, a day in between days.


It's a good day for making progress, for making a giant leap!

Today I share with you a progression of fiber. I dyed the wool, spun it up, and plied it together into yarn. It's now called Sea Change.

Is it perfect? No. Was it once the clippings off a sheep? Yes.

That is the sea change.

Even as everything spins around in constant chaos, we have a free day. Use it for do-overs and new beginnings... I suggest.

There is so much magic in creating things. It is a leap. I am a part of it and so are you.

This day is for us!

/end flashback

I needed that. Enjoy your extra day today, party people! And in other news, look out tomorrow for a new pattern.

This day in 1963

I was just now sitting around knitting (what else?) and thinking about the date today.

I like numbers and patterns, and when numbers fall into certain patterns, I feel a deep sense of peace in my brain.

Today is 2-22-2012 - I actually kind of hate this number. The year messes it up. I do like 2-22 on it's own though, a LOT.

So, I searched around for pictures taken on this date that might somehow convey what I feel when numbers align... I think I found it!

Here is a cool picture from February 22, 1963:

USS Woodrow Wilson Launching Ceremony

You are looking at a bottle of champagne exploding on the exterior of a huge plane. The woman smashing the bottle seems pleased despite the mess. I don't know who you are but if you are like me you don't get asked to smash champagne bottles on things often enough.

Let this moment remind us of the possibilities in life. Sometimes numbers line up nicely. There is always a new beginning filled with potential somewhere. Just take that bottle and smash it!

Animated Starry Night!

I think this is how Van Gogh saw it.


Starry Night (interactive animation) from Petros Vrellis on Vimeo.

Mt. Hood Snow Cap

Welcome to February! I hope you are all well and managing your winter with good cheer. I am excited because today marks the release of my first (but not last!) hat pattern: Mt. Hood Snow Cap.

Marcia Sanders-Guard braves the blustery snow on Mt. Hood

Inspiration: Mt. Hood is the tallest mountain in Oregon and can be seen from almost any location in Portland. On the southern flank sits Timberline Lodge, built in the 1930’s as part of the WPA.

Marcia shows off the snowflake crown while warming up inside Timberline Lodge

The exterior was made famous as the Overlook Hotel, where all work and no play made Jack lose his mind in The Shining. Most people, however, associate the lodge with playing in the snow and drinking hot cocoa by the fire. The Mt. Hood Snow Cap was inspired by this sort of experience. Wear it frolicking outside on a cold day or maybe just inside on a hot cocoa day instead!

Anatole cuddles up to Marcia

This advanced-beginner pattern is knit in the round. The mountain flap is knit first, then additional sts are added for the ribbing. The crown shaping mimics a snowflake, with optional bobbles. You’ll need to know how to cast on, knit, purl, increase, decrease, and follow written instructions.

Child's Fitted Hat with Bobbles

Yarn: DK-weight yarn. Samples shown: Madeline Tosh DK [100% Merino superwash wool; 225yd per 100gr ball]; color: Chambray (small fitted hat), Burnished (large slouchy hat) Cove (child fitted hat): 1 skein. Hat uses approx 160, [170, 180] yards.

Gauge: 22 sts/30 rows = 4” in stockinette stitch

Needles: 1 set US #4/3.5mm 16” circular needle and double pointed needles OR size needed to obtain gauge.

Left: Chambray; Center: Cove; Right: Burnished

Hat Sizes: Child [Adult Small, Large]

Hat Circumference: 18” [20,” 22”] OR 46 [51, 56] cm

Notions: Tapestry needle. Optional: Contrast yarn or thread for embroidery.

Simple snowflake embroidered over mountain flap

This pattern was test knitted by Roxanne Powell and cthulhulovesme. Child hat knitted by Roxanne Powell. Hats modeled by Marcia Sanders-Guard, Gabe Sanders-Guard and Anatole. Photography by Vivian Aubrey and Gabe Sanders-Guard. Many, many thanks!

Large Adult Slouchy Hat without Bobbles

This pattern is available for download $4.99
buy now
add to cart
show cart

Marcia... you cutie!

Want more? This pattern is part of the Stumptown Knits Collection: a monthly pattern club featuring 6 accessory patterns inspired by the place you live and the place you love. For me, it's Portland, Oregon.

Benefits for joining the club:

• When finished, the club will be compiled into an e-book. The e-book will be included in the cost of the club for those who join.

• Half the cost of buying the individual patterns.

• Individual patterns as well as finished e-book (at the end of the club) can be stored in your Ravelry library.

• Knit-a-longs! This time we will have official knit-a-longs each month with prizes! See my group here for info in January.

• 20% off discount codes to use at Twisted. All of the yarns used in this club are available for purchase there and if you want to match the yarns I’m using, you can!

Join now! Only $15.99
buy now
add to cart
show cart

Snowflake crown and bobble detail

Before you go, I want to remind you that we have knit-a-longs going on Ravelry. Just be sure to stop by the group here. The January prizes included a pouch from Namaste and lip balm from Bar Maids. February prizes will be announced in the Ravelry group!

If you want to knit along with us but can’t finish your project before the end of the month, don’t worry. There will be a prize thread at the end of the club for any finished pieces done after the deadline... still more chances to win something!

Thank you so much for joining me on this tour of the places I love. I hope you are enjoying the patterns, and even perhaps finding your own renewed interest in your places too.

Warm Regards,
Star

Happy Chinese New Year!

The year if the dragon is upon us, people. I don't know about you but I am ready to put the rabbit year of 2011 aside and welcome some new power and change into my life. A little luck might be nice too, if that's on the menu.

In any case, I am ready to be a dragon - bright, fierce, and magical! Are you with me?

Good. Now I'd like to share with you a sock pattern that honors this time of year - Lantern Socks:



Lantern Festival is celebrated on the last day of Chinese New Year. Traditionally, thousands of colorful lanterns are hung or paraded around during the full moon at the beginning of a new year. At this time, people try to solve puzzles written on lanterns, eat yuanxiao (元宵) (glutinous rice ball) and enjoy a family reunion.



Knit your own beaded lantern socks today, and solve the riddles at the end of the pattern for fun.



Size: This pattern is written for 3 sizes: Small (Medium, Large)

Foot circumference: 7 (8, 9) inches 17.5 (20, 23 cm) unstretched. Will stretch to fit 8 (9, 10) inches 20 (23, 25.5 cm).

Yarn: Fingering-weight sock yarn that gives you proper gauge, 350 - 425 yards; Sample shown: Hazel Knits Artisan Sock [90% SUPERWASH Wool, 10% Nylon; 400yd per 120 gram skein]; color: Wheatberry: 1 skein.



Needles: 1 set of US 1 (2.25 mm) 32” circular needles (magic loop), 2 sets of 24” circulars or double pointed needles OR size to get gauge.

Gauge: 32 sts/48 rows = 4” in Stockinette Stitch.

Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle, tiny crochet hook (I used a steel 10 – 1.25 mm), 28 size 6 seed beads.



The pattern is $4.99
add to cart
show cart
buy now

The Socks For All Seasons e-book is $24.99 and provides you with a year's worth of sock patterns:
add to cart
show cart
buy now



Party on, fellow dragons!

Wednesday Morning, 3 AM

Willamette Scarf

Happy New Year, Friends! I hope this year has started off in the very best of ways. If this isn't the case for you, allow me to point out that there is plenty of time to course-correct.

Today is exciting for me because I get to release the first pattern in the Stumptown Knits pattern club! The Willamette Scarf is inspired by the flow of water that runs right through the center of Portland.

A cold day along the banks of the Willamette river in Portland

The Willamette river is a vital, multi-functioning tributary of the Columbia, rich with life, commerce, and recreation. It runs like an artery up the middle of Portland, crossed often by distinctive bridges and the occasional beaver. The linen stitch and herringbone stitch in the Willamette scarf mimic the ripples, waves and stones of the water.

Color: Star

The yarn is dyed by the talented Melanie at Black Trillium. There are two colors pictured here: Star and Columbia. I've been eager to work with the Star color which was named after me. (How cool is that!?) I like how the variegation plays with the textured stitches.

Color: Columbia

The Columbia color was a natural choice here. Since Black Trillium is based in the Pacific Northwest it makes perfect sense she would have locally inspired colors. I like how the watery blue is integrated with salmon. Quite accurate!

Under the Burnside Bridge, with orange gloves

Scarf Size: Adjustable. Sample is 80” long. 6” deep at widest part. 

Notions: Tapestry needle.

Gauge: Gauge is not critical.

Needles: US 8 (5 mm) straight or circular needles.

Skill level: This advanced-beginner pattern is knit flat using some unusual stitches. You’ll need to know how to cast on, knit, purl, slip stitches, increase, decrease, bind off and follow written instructions.

A detail of the Herringbone and Linen stitches (waves and pebbles)

This pattern was tested by Bev Love and Minttu. Columbia Scarf sample knitted by Bev Love. Photography by Vivian Aubrey. Many thanks!

Willamette Scarf Pattern is $4.99
buy now
add to cart
show cart

Hey, wait! Did you know that this pattern is part of a larger collection?

Stumptown Knits: An accessories collection designed to honor the place you live and the place you love. For me, it’s inspired by Portland, OR. What will it be for you?

This pattern-only club runs for 6 months and features 6 patterns. 

Club costs $15.99 to join.

Patterns: 
Sock yarn scarf (shown)
DK-weight hat 
Sock yarn shawl 
Socks 
Armwarmers 
Cowl

Benefits for joining the club:

• When finished, the club will be compiled into an e-book. The e-book will be included in the cost of the club for those who join.
• Half the cost of buying the individual patterns.
• Individual patterns as well as finished e-book (at the end of the club) can be stored in your Ravelry library.
• Knit-a-longs! This time we will have official knit-a-longs each month with prizes!
• 20% off discount codes to use at Twisted. All of the yarns used in this club are available for purchase there and if you want to match the yarns I’m using, you can!
  
  I hope you will join me in my exploration of this beautiful place through knitting. Have questions? Just ask! On Ravelry? Join the group and join the discussions here.
  
  Yes, join now!

$15.99

buy now

add to cart
show cart