Finished Object

Ok, its been a little slow on this knitalong. And I've been equally as slow in posting this picture. Its my version of one of Donna's designs. The yarn is Morehouse Merino 2-ply, its in 3 colors because that was what was in my stash. This picture dates back to New Years or so, I spent a good part of New Year's day pinning this scarf out with the Honeymooners Marathon running in the background. Had to match the yarnovers on both halves of the scarf, you know. I've since weaved in the ends, and have worn it many times.

Note the shaped hood, since this is a hooded scarf..... And those dark spots around the edges? Simply the blocking board absorbing the moisture as this dries.

Arlene in Northern NJ

Completed Skeleton

I love this scarf--both the pattern and the yarn. Knitting it was an absolute pleasure. Thanks, Donna!





I enjoyed it so much that I'm not sure if my next project from Arctic Lace will be the Parka Trim stole or another Skeleton--but with 3 patterns across rather than 2, and 5 long instead of this scarf's 4 repeats to make it a stole. Whichever it is, I will enjoy this scarf now in the winter weather we are finally getting!

--Hannah at The Purloined Letter

I've been knitting the Skeleton Scarf and I'm really enjoying this pattern. Although it is a very regular and predicable chart, the repeat is 92 rows long so you never get bored. Although the pattern calls for 3 repeats for a short scarf, I am knitting four at a larger gauge--so I will have a wide scarf (or narrow stole) of about five and a half feet long.



Although I did not splurge for qivuit, alpaca makes a gloriously soft substitute!

The dark lines are the shadows of the window panes with bright sunshine coming through. Right after taking the picture, it began snowing for the first time this winter!

--The Purloined Letter

New Year - New Project

I am so excited to have received my yarn and to get started on knitting a lace scarf. I will be knitting the Chevron Scarf from this fabulous book. I had planned to begin this past week, but found out that I have no size 3 needles (that is so hard to believe because I have so many needles). So, I will just have to wait until this weekend or sooner when I get to buy a set. Will post more as my project progresses.

Karin

http://make-one.blogspot.com

Fingerless Gloves

Anyone get any lace knitting done over the holidays?

I know everyone's supposed to be making scarves for the knitalong, but I was teaching a class on the fingerless gloves from Arctic Lace a month or so ago, and someone wanted to make a version with a thumb gore (or gusset). I think the thumbless version is more elegant looking, especially in black, but the thumbed version is probably better for wearing to drive or while working in a cold office, so I worked it out. Here are a few pictures of my new version in progress.





I made the large size, so they fit my hand comfortably but the lace does not get stretched out very much. The black ones in the book are the small size and they get stretched so much on my hands, that the lace looks distorted. But I made them for my mother, and they fit her hands perfectly. The thumbless version is a little tighter than the new version, because it has to stretch around your hand at the base of the thumb, while the gored version has extra stitches in this area.

Here are basic instructions for adding a thumb gore to the pattern.

Adding a Gusset and Half-Thumb
When cuff measures approx 2 inches, or half the desired distance to the thumb opening, work as follows:

Right glove
Round 1 (patt round with incs): Purl 1, make 1, purl 1, work in patts as est to end of round.
Round 2 (plain round): Work even.
Round 3: Purl 1, make 1, knit to next purl, make 1, purl 1, work in patts as est to end of round.

Left glove
Round 1 (patt round with incs): Work in patts as est to last 2 sts, purl 1, make 1, purl 1.
Round 2 (plain round): Work even.
Round 3: Work in patts as est to first purl stitch, purl 1, make 1, knit to next purl, make 1, purl 1.

Both gloves
Rep rounds 2 and 3 until you have 11 (13) sts between markers.
Work even in patts as est until glove measures 6 1/2 inches from cast on, or thumb gusset reaches the crotch where your thumb joins your hand.
Put purls and all sts between them on a piece of string. CO 2 sts over thumb opening. Contine working on remaining sts in patterns as est (lace on back of hand, St st on palm) until 2nd rep of patt is complete or glove is desired length.

Finish as for plain glove.

Thumb
Put sts from string onto dpns. Pick up 2 sts on hand. Join and knit 4 rounds. Work 6 rounds of garter stitch (k1 round, p1 round). BO loosely.

Enjoy!

My project

Hi everyone,
I finally started! Although I have 2 oz. of qiviut hanging out in the stash, the Morehouse Merino 2-ply called instead. And instead of doing one of Donna's projects as written, I had to it my way. So here it is, the start of a hooded scarf:



I've put a piece of paper inside the hood to show off the lace better.

Usually, this kind of scarf is created by seaming the back edge of a rectangular scarf, but I decided to make it seamless instead. I started with a provisional cast on at the top of the head, and picked up the stitches around the cast-on, creating a hood shape. There is a 5 stitch seed-stitch border, and then I used Donna's Mini-chevron border pattern while doing increases at the back of the head to shape the hood. I'm going to work a second repeat of the Eyelet garter ridge pattern, then go into the Chevron pattern. At that point, I'll also probably split the work to make make the two scarf tails.

Hope everyone else is enjoying their knitting as much as I am!

Arlene in Northern NJ

It's done!

The parka-trim diamond pattern scarf is complete! (Just in time for the overseas Christmas mail.) I'm pleased with how it turned out (not bad for a first-time lace knitter!).

Pattern = Arctic Lace pattern stitch for Parka Trim Stole - 3 repeats
Yarn = 2 skeins Windy Valley Muskox - Polar Sunset

checking in

Hey everyone, just checking in to see how you're all doing with your knitting and to make sure no-one has any questions about the patterns. And to say, upload more pictures! I love to see the photos of what you're knitting!

Donna Druchunas

Finally

Although I've cast on several things from Artic Lace this is actually the first one that I've finished. The other projects were frogged for one reason or another (wrong needles or wrong yarn). But the Fish Trap Hat came together quite smoothly actually. I was pleased with the result.

Fish Trap Hat: Peruvian Baby Cashmere - 60% Baby Alpaca - 30% Merino Wool - 10% Cashmere - 109 yards per skein. I used about 140 yards and I have plenty left over to do something else since I had 4 skeins in my stash. This was basically a 5 stitch repeat and pretty easy. I think it only took me a couple of days to knit it up.

So What do you think?

I have finished my swatch per Donna's instructions. I used the qiviut yarn from the kit I bought from Joanne. The lower third of the swatch was knit on size US 1 needles, the middle third with size US 2 needles and the upper third of the swatch was knit on size US 3 needles. The block was wet-blocked and allowed to dry before the photo (above). The size 2 and 3 portions look very similar and the size 1 portion is, of course, denser. The size 1 portion has a gauge of 24 sts/4 inches.
I'm considering knitting the Skeleton scarf pattern with it. And I'm leaning toward the size 1 needles to get the denser stockinette. If anyone sees or knows a reason why the size 1 needles may not be the best choice please comment. I've never knit with qiviut before.
The Skeleton scarf pattern is 61 sts wide. Doing the math for my gauge of 24 sts/4 inches should give me a scarf width of about 10 inches. The pattern gauge is even finer (28 sts/4 inches) and yields a scarf 9 x 40 inches using 320 yards. I have 436 yards so I hope I can make a longer scarf (40 inches isn't very long for a scarf). What do you think?

Making progress...

I'm really pleased with how this is progressing.

The yarn is wonderful to work with. It's the qiviut in polar sunset (I believe).

Contest Winners

We have 2 winners in our bookplate contest, chosen completely at random. I opened up the list of comments, closed my eyes, moved the mouse around and then clicked until a contestant's name was chosen. It doesn't get much more scientific than that! *L*

Our winners are "Kate/Massachusetts" and "Yosemite". If you email me with your snail mail addresses, I'll get your bookplates off to you on Monday.

I'm really enjoying see some of your progress reports.... great!!

By the way.... I have a guest blogger visiting Keep Talking on Sunday. Drop by later in the day and read Donna's post.

Joanne
joanne@rjconklin.com

Finished swatch 3

I knit the third swatch from the book with Windy Valley laceweight qiviut and the suggested 3.25mm (3 US) needles. I also slipped the first stitch of each row. The pictures show the swatch before and after blocking. The true color of the yarn is somewhere in the middle of the two photos. The swatch feels really nice and this yarn will make a fine scarf. I'll probably rip it out later to get the yarn back.

Sandy

Sunnyvale, CA

The Hand Spun is Done!

I have my yarn all spun, but I am not supposed to be knitting! The whole funny but sad tale is on my blog if you need a good laugh.
Deb

Hmmmm....What to make?

Thanks for the great summary of the properties of qiviut. Your experience is so helpful as I get down to the part where I really decide exactly how to proceed.

So far there have been other projects nagging at me so I haven't felt focussed enough to begin. However, the book has been on my bedside table for a few nights now as I begin my plotting :)

I think I want a cowl or neck warmer thing. My next step will be to play around with the charts and bare bones instructions at the back of the book.

I'd love to hear what others make have settled on or have comments on how you are progressing!

Tips for Knitting with Qiviut

I'll try again. This info is from my blog tour visit to http://www.goknitinyourhat.blogspot.com/

Qiviut yarn comes only in fine weights. Sport weight is the heaviest I have ever seen on the market, and cobweb, or extra-fine lace weight is the thinnest. Because the fiber is so warm -- often said to be 8 times warmer than sheep's wool -- you wouldn't want a heavier yarn anyway. Qiviut blooms when washed, and gets a halo that reminds me of mohair, and it feels a lot like mohair to wear. That is, it's lightweight and warm. Unlike mohair, qiviut is never scratchy. When washed, qiviut
develops a furry texture that gets more exaggerated over time but, in my experience, does not pill. Because of the furry halo that develops, you can often knit qiviut at a looser gauge than you would other yarns of the same girth.

There are two main types of qiviut yarn on the market today. The first is 100% qiviut. Most of this is very loosely spun, and it has little or no elasticity. It does not stretch as you knit with it, and it does not draw in after knitting. This makes it very nice for lace projects that will be blocked to have a soft drape. But it does not work well for ribbing, as it will not hold its shape. It can even stretch out over time, the way cotton does. I have run into a couple of tightly spun qiviut yarns that seem to hold their shape better than the loosely spun
yarns, but these are hard to find.

The second common type of qiviut yarn is a blend with merino and silk. There may be as much as 75% qiviut in this yarn, or as little as 45%. The yarn with the least amount of qiviut and the most amount of wool will have more elasticity during knitting and will hold its shape better for ribbing and fitted garments or accessories.

Before you start knitting anything with qiviut, which costs about $70US per ounce, you should swatch your pattern stitches with a less expensive yarn. If you are knitting lace, I always suggest working a swatch in sport or worsted weight wool on size 5 or 7 needles. This will let you concentrate on learning the stitch pattern before you start working with the fine yarn and small needles. If you are a new lace knitter, you might want to make a second swatch with inexpensive lace weight yarn before starting to work with the qiviut as well.

This doesn't mean you can skip making a qiviut swatch, however. Because the yarn has such an unusual hand and texture, and because it blooms, you may find you need to use larger or smaller needles than usual. I haven't found any hard-and-fast rule for this. Some knitters find that their stitches look very sloppy and the fabric has no body at all when they knit qiviut with needles that are too large. Other knitters find that the fabric is too dense after it is washed when they knit with smaller needles. You may get the same stitch gauge with several needle sizes, but a different row gauge or a different appearance to your stitches. I suggest you try 3 different size needles before casting on for a project. For regular lace weight qiviut, I suggest US sizes 1, 2, and 3 for testing. (Go up or down as appropriate if you are working with sportweight or cobweb yarn.) Cast on 16 or 20 stitches, and knit 1 inch with the smallest needle you want to try, then work a garter ridge. Don't cast off, but change needle sizes and knit 1 inch in each size, going up one size after each garter ridge. Wash and block the swatch in the same way you will dress the finished project, and then decide what size needle you want to use.

Hope this is helpful.

Donna

Finally Started

If anyone knows why Blogger downloads my pictures sidewise, please let me know! Sorry about that.

Let me introduce myself-I've been knitting since I was a child and since I'm a legitimate Red Hatter, that has been a long time. Lace knitting has always been my favorite type of knitting, but I'll try anything. I teach knitting in the community education program in my former school district, in my LYS, and have taught at the MN Knitter's Guild annual Yarnover.

The color of my yarn is Arctic Blue (I think it is called) a beautiful dark blue and the pattern is the North Star Scarf. I used the crochet cast on to give the beginning edge the same appearance the cast off edge will have and am slipping the first stitch of each row purlwise with the yarn in front to give a similar braid effect along the side edges. The border you can kind of see in the picture is something I added to match the side borders.

Yvonne aka Red Hat Knitter

Jeopardy

I thought that you might enjoy this article:

http://www.dailyknitter.com/article19.html

I saw that episode of Jeopardy (it's one of my favorite shows) and was yelling "musk ox" at the screen!

Joanne
joanne@rjconklin.com
http://www.rjconklin.com/keeptalking.htm

Oh Mr. Postman.........!

Well the postman brought a lovely little box today which I opened with great relish. Aaah---so very beautiful and soft.

I had a little fun with the family when they got home. I asked them to close their eyes and feel the little ball of goodness and then guess what it might be. My 9-1/2 year old said yarn. Duh! We got a good laugh out of that. The 11-1/2 year old got really close by guessing cashmere or alpaca. DH got the answer correct, but only because the previous guess was incorrect and he remembered that I've been qiviut talking for a bit now.

And as for the Wild Fibers mag, my daughter is happily reading about the animals now. I gifted it to her as I already have that issue of the publication. She loves all animals and creates little books with photos she gathers from various places. She as decided to write her own musk ox story using this info. So we're all having fun with this project.

Now I must in all seriousnes read Donna's book so I can finally make my decision.

Are there any knitting tips we should be aware of when using this fiber?

A very little contest, and kits update

I'm happy to report that the last of the kits, but one, is in the mail and on its way to you. The missing ball of tundra rust should be at my door any day now, and that last package will be sent out IMMEDIATELY after it arrives. I really appreciate the patience you have shown. The kits were sent priority mail, insured, so they shouldn't take more than a few days. Some of you might even get them today. I'm anxious to get on with the knitting and see what all of you are making... including pictures!

Don't be surprised if you get the odd little incentive, aka a contest, along the way in this knitalong. This first contest is small, and very easy.

If you didn't get a kit, and therefore didn't get a signed bookplate, then this contest is for you. All you have to do is leave your name in the comments, and tell us what yarn you've chosen for your project and you're in the running.

Two names will be chosen at random on November 11th and the two winners will get an autographed bookplate for their Arctic Lace book.

Have fun... and good luck.

Joanne
joanne@rjconklin.com
http://www.rjconklin.com/keeptalking.htm

Finally Decided!

First, Thanks to Joanne and Donna--I received my bookplate today! That was quick postal service. Normally, they're so slow (especially here in Canada!). And I finally decided to do the Northern Star--I love that pattern. I've printed out the corrected charts, now I just need to get busy and start it! However, I'm finishing up a baby bolero first. I have to get at least one project done before I cast on yet another

Donna

Question for Donna

Hi everyone,
I've got the book, I've got the yarn -- but I haven't had the time to actually start a project!

Anyway, I've been slowly reading the book when I can catch a few minutes. Donna, the book is just wonderful. I'm a very experienced knitter, have been teaching for 6 years, and love to knit lace, so its not often that I actually find something new and interesting in a book. I'm really enjoying the little histories of each area, and studying the lace patterns that each one uses.

That leads to my question: In the Aleutian Islands write-up, you refer to the Seal Hunt and Sea Urchin patterns, but there don't seem to be any illustrations of them in the book. Was this because the patterns are so rare that none were available for photography? Or were you unable to include them because of space or editorial considerations? And are there any pictures you could share with us?

Maybe I'll wind my quivit in the next few days. Hopefully the yarn will speak up then and tell me what it wants to become, and in what pattern.......

Arlene

Doing the Happy Dance

Great news! The remainder of the qiviut order arrived today.

I'll be finishing up the packages and taking them to the post office tomorrow. My local post office has a self-service machine, so the kits will be on their way as quickly as possible.

Thank you, all, for your patience.

In other news, this knitalong will be ending on the last day of winter, in March.

I can't wait to see all the gorgeous scarves!

Joanne
joanne@rjconklin.com
http://www.rjconklin.com/keeptalking.htm

I've started!

In response to Joanne's questions:

Have you chosen your project yet?
I finally decided on the diamond pattern from the parka trim stole. (I wimped out on the idea of designing my own lace pattern... and I was tempted by the beautiful picture of this scarf in Interweave Knits). Instead of the 5 repeats, I'll be making a scarf with 3 pattern repeats... I'm hoping that by cutting back on the number of repeats, I'll have enough yarn - 2 skeins/approx 440yds - to make a nice length scarf.

Have you started knitting?
I cast on this evening. I haven't got very far, but I've started!

Who is going to get your scarf? Is it for you or for a gift?
The scarf will be a gift for my Grandma. She recently returned from a trip to Alaska, where she had a wonderful time. It's one of the things she always wanted to do, and she's so very happy she did. So I thought it would be a nice gesture to make this for her.

Is this your first time knitting with qiviut?
It is, and I'm enjoying working with it. It's also my first time knitting lace. I'm looking forward to getting going on the lace diamond pattern.

I'd love to hear, and see, how everyone else is getting on...

Happy knitting,
Sam

Qiviut video

I hope that this link works:

http://alaska.org/videos/oomingmak.htm?Alaska_Summer_Quiviut_CO_OP_StoreFLV300001.flv

It's a very interesting short video about the muskox, qiviut and the co-op that Donna wrote about in her book.

Joanne

joanne@rjconklin.com
http://www.rjconklin.com/keeptalking.htm

Bookplates

The bookplates arrived today... signed for you from Donna! They will be in the mail tomorrow, so you should have them in just a few days. You're going to like them, I'm sure.

Thanks, Donna!

Joanne
joanne@rjconklin.com
http://www.rjconklin.com/keeptalking.htm

Qiviut kits update

I was in touch with my supplier this morning, and the yarn that I ordered should be ready in the next day or two. It'll be shipped immediately to me, and I'll get it out to those who are waiting promptly by priority post. I apologize for the delay, but it's been out of my hands. The boxes are all addressed, the kits are ready and I am only waiting to pop the yarn into the project bags and take it to the post office.

Donna tells me that the bookplates are on the way to me. As soon as I receive them, I'll have them in the mail to you. The envelopes are addressed and stamped and ready to go.

So... those of you who are all set with your book and yarn, how are you doing? What project is everyone making? What color? What yarn? Can we see some pictures?

Keep us updated,

Joanne
joanne@rjconklin.com
http://www.rjconklin.com/keeptalking.htm

ps... Qiviut is back on my website.

Frustration!

Well, I was going to post my progress on the Skeleton pattern done in DK as a shawl, but I had major math issues last night, and decided to start over. As I had about 2 weeks worth of work done, that was a hard decision, but I think it was the right one to make. At DK on size 7 needles, and 3 pattern repeats, I think it was going to be too wide, anyway. So back to the drawing board for me!

Gretchen

Stole photo & chart correction

Hi All,

Check out Interweave's website for a preview of the stole from Arctic Lace redone in fingering-weight merino yarn. I love the way the photos came out! It's here: http://interweave.com/knit/interweave_knits/preview/2006_winter.asp

Also, a reader found some problems with the North Star Scarf chart on page 131, and I've added a new version you can download to my website here: http://www.sheeptoshawl.com/arcticlace-p131-newchart.pdf

I FINALLY Received My Book

I received my book today. I haven't had a chance to sit and take it all in yet but I love the book after a quick glance. Is there a set pattern you have to use for the knit a long or is it just one that you like from the book? I will probably use laceweight yarn that I have at home since I really can't spring for the quiviut right now. I will probably get started on the knit a long in about 2 weeks. I look forward to hearing about what everyone is knitting.

Have you started yet?

I'm happy to report that all packages that went out in the first mailing have arrived at their destinations. YAY! The chocolate moose colorway still hasn't arrived yet, but I've been assured that it won't be much longer. Other colors are also coming with the chocolate moose, so if you're waiting for a kit, I thank you for your patience. The boxes and kits are ready and when the yarn arrives, I'll be heading to the post office RIGHT AWAY. I won't have you wait a day longer than necessary.

I've had a couple of emails from people asking if they can still order kits. I've decided to continue to offer them for a while, so if you want one, scroll down to the September 3rd blog entry for details.

Okay.... so how are all of you doing?
Have you chosen your project yet?
Have you started knitting?
Who is going to get your scarf?
Is it for you or for a gift?
Is this your first time knitting with qiviut?

Aren't I full of questions? Please update us and post a picture if you can.

We'd love to see what you're knitting.

Joanne
http://www.rjconklin.com/keeptalking.htm

Picked up My Parcel!

I picked up my parcel this morning and hurried home to open it up. I love it! Thanks so much, JoAnne. I chose Tundra Rust and love the colour of it. I'll have to sit down this afternoon and go through Donna's book again to decide which one I'd like to do. Plus, I'm looking forward to going through the magazine. Thanks again!

Donna

Jumping on Board!

Thank you Sue, and List-mom Joanna – I’m looking forward to Knitting Along on my lace scarf. To introduce myself, I participated in Donna’s Arctic Lace class at the Yarn Expo in Anchorage last weekend, learned lots (!) and started a lace scarf in a leaf pattern that we did as a sampler. I’m using fingering weight 100% alpaca, undyed natural brown, that I bought at Wind Spirit Farm in Marion, N.Y. (lovely alpacas) during a family visit to the area last summer. I haven’t decided which pattern to do yet from “Arctic Lace”, but am leaning towards a nachaq with a variation of the butterfly design that’s knitted in Bethel and Quinhagak. This will be fun!
Linda

Getting started!

Hi everyone, I also received my package and can't wait to get 'stuck in' and start working with the heavenly Qiviut yarn.

Joanne, I wanted to thank you for the lovely package of goodies - the yarn, the bag, the postcards and magazine... it felt like Christmas had come early this week! I can see that you put a lot of work into this, and wanted to let you know it's very much appreciated.

With the yarn on hand I started flicking through the book to decide what the Qiviut should become. Donna's patterns are beautiful, but it was the 'Marshall' lace pattern that jumped out and called to me (an Oomingmak design). I love, love, love it! So I'll be busy this weekend with a sheet of graph paper (ok more than one sheet) and chapter 9 from Donna's Arctic Lace book to map out something in a similar style. I'm really looking forward to trying my hand at designing my own pattern with Donna's helpful hints and 'Marshall' as my inspiration piece...

Happy knitting!
Sam in Colorado