Finished: Washed Out

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So you know how I’m finishing all these projects I started a year ago because a solid chunk of my 2019 was absolute hell on earth?

I hope you enjoy hearing about them cuz here’s another one.

I know I started my Washed Out a year ago because it was my pre-Adobe Summit project (for those of you not in the know, I’ve been a speaker at Summit since 2017 so this time of year is incredibly stressful but exciting for me). I remember chugging brunch mimosas at The Bayou as I knit the first lace section, wondering why my palette was purple and attributing it to Summit because our annual motto is #bleedpurple.

I also remember literally starting this at the bar in Steelgarden on St. Patrick’s Day because that’s how you celebrate as an adult, I guess.

Washed Out is similar to all the fade patterns that have been popular the past few years and the yarn (by Ramsey Yarn Company) came in a kit that lended itself well to any three-color fade. It’s almost like this pattern that had been sitting around in my library and the yarn were meant for each other. If you’re looking for a fade but don’t want to lift something off Ravelry’s front page, Washed Out is a great alternative with a few surprises thrown in. The shaping is simple, as is most of the construction, with alternating blocks of lace for a slight challenge so you won’t get bored. The most tedious part is the final lace block, which I’d consider stereotypical lace knitting, but the pattern comes with the lace section both written out and charted so you can choose whichever method is easiest for you.

I’m glad to have this done, although I enjoyed working on it so it’s not like it was a struggle; it’s just fun to finally wear it. It’s huge, too, so the fact it’s fingering weight doesn’t interfere with its warmth - perfect for this time of year. Just be prepared for blocking the end results because it will take up all your space and your cat will try to eat it.

Details:

If you want to learn more, I’ve kinda sorta resurrected my Beer Knits podcast, which you can watch here:

It’s been a long time since I last podcasted (I think spring 2017 was my last video) but I’ve missed interacting with you guys and nerding out about yarn and actually feeling relevant about something I’m good at so I brought it back with a pretty milquetoast episode that will hopefully get me back in the groove.

That’s it for this post, although I considered shaming everyone into staying home until this coronovirus thing is over. People are freaking out and other people are saying it’s not a big deal and both reactions are 100% wrong. It’s not doomsday but it’s here and it’s going to spread. My advice (as a highly educated art major with an MBA who spends her days coding if/then logic so basically I know nothing) is to follow the science people. Stop reading news outlets and Facebook memes and instead check out Scientific American or one of my personal favorites, SciBabe, who will slap you in the face with facts and scoff at your anecdotes. Also, now’s a good time to start washing your hands like you just ate a bag of Cheetos before knitting with pure white yarn.

In the meantime, I’m also:

  • Reading: A Discovery of Witches

  • Knitting: Heel Toe Do Si Do socks

  • Mourning that this year’s Adobe Summit is going virtual (thanks, COVID-19!) because I want to see my friends in Vegas and get VIP swag

Finished: Campside Shawl

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Even if you haven’t had a productive year, blogging makes it feel like you did when you wait almost 365 full days to talk about it.

That’s what happened with this Campside shawl that I finished last April after having a doozy of a winter.

Let me explain. For those of you not in the know, I’m going through a divorce. My soon-to-be-ex-husband and I officially separated in May of 2018. I spent the next six months reveling in my newfound freedom and loving on my amazing friends - it was a great time. Last winter, however, reality hit; it was really hard for me because even though I know it’s all for the best, it’s still a major life adjustment. Although I won’t get into details here, I will say it’s tough feeling like you’re alone, or that divorce is shameful. It’s not something people talk about for those reasons and everyone’s “pick yourself up by your bootstraps” mentality doesn’t help, either.

(Here’s some unsolicited advice for those of you with friends or family members going through divorce: don’t treat them like they just need to pick themselves up by the bootstraps. Because they will want to strangle you with said bootstraps.)

Anyway, I wouldn’t say I’m “fine” now but I’m much happier. Great things are happening and I firmly believe you can’t experience true happiness without acknowledging the bad, versus shoving it aside (in fact, if you’re interested, there are several articles citing the positivity movement as being… well… negative). Sometimes, you’ve gotta wallow in your crap if you ever hope to get out of it.

As a result of being happier, I’m back to being a ferociously obsessed knitter who updates her blog. Which means there’s a lot of catch-up coming my way.

One of my finished projects that’s been longing for its own blog post is the aforementioned Campside shawl by Alicia Plummer. The pattern isn’t new at all and had been sitting around in my Ravelry queue for ages. Toward the end of last February, and while I was going through all the emotions, I decided to throw myself into the fire and finally get it done.

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Details

Pattern: Campside by Alicia Plummer
Yarn: Knit Picks Capra, Magnolia Heather

Click here to view the project on Ravelry

The pattern is written clearly and easy to follow. If you’re new to shawls and basic lace, this would be a good project to practice your increases and yarn-overs. For us pros, it’s fantastic potato chip knitting. I barely had to reference the pattern after awhile so it was perfect for working on in the background during work meetings (what - it helps me concentrate) or if I wanted to escape my life through garbage TV.

I also have to talk about how fantastic this yarn is. For years, I’ve had a love/hate relationship with Knit Picks. For example, I love Felici and have used it for more socks than I can shake my fists at, but I hate that it doesn’t hold up to wear and tear. In this case, however, Capra has been soft and durable. It was dreamy to knit with and blocked beautifully. You don’t get a lot of yarn in the ball and I think I ended up using six or seven for the shawl but it’s sold at a reasonable price point and is worth the investment.

I legit wear this thing all the time. The yarn used isn’t super warm but because Campside is so big, you won’t be cold. Which also makes it perfect for springtime or early fall wearing, as well, if and when you need an actual wrap.

So in case it’s not obvious, I’m back with a vengeance. I’m connecting with old friends in the industry and continue meeting new ones along the way. I’ve been knitting or crocheting almost every day for the past few months, completely the opposite of last winter when I hoped I’d just get zapped into outer space. I took a lot of people, including myself, on a wild and whacky ride for over a year so I hope everyone involved can forgive whatever the heck that was.

PS: I’ll be rebooting my Beer Knits podcast by recording my first show since 2017 next weekend. I’ve received so many encouraging messages from my Instagram followers since getting back into the swing of things and I’ve missed waffling about yarn for 20-30 minutes on a regular basis. Stay tuned!

Read My Article in Knitability!

It turns out I’m absolute trash at updating my blog these days. Part of that is because I wasn’t knitting for the longest time (my life doesn’t just explode; it goes nuclear) and the other part is that I’ve been more taken with Instagram. There’s instant interaction over there and a greater sense of community than on my own blog (and blogging about the things I make makes me feel a little self-involved, as if anyone would care to read what I have to say about… well… literally anything).

But it turns out I still have the writing bug and from time to time, I whip out the occasional article or two - when prompted. Earlier in the year, Dan from the Bakery Bears podcast reached out and asked if I’d like to contribute to his and Kay’s Patreon-only digital publication, Knitability. I couldn’t say no.

I wrote about my experience as a younger knitter in the fiber world. Although I don’t feel so young anymore, I clearly remember what life was like when I’d try to knit in public or purchase designer yarn while practically looking like a high-functioning infant and the correlating judgment thrown my way. To some degree, I still battle that now, although most people will come up to me and ask what I’m making or tell me my hobby is cool.

Still, it’s been interesting to “grow up” during a time where a once-stereotypical woman’s hobby is now either generally accepted or I’m so jaded by the universe that I simply don’t care what others think when I’m knitting at the bar.

Regardless, you should check out the latest issue of Knitability for articles that are written better than mine by more worthy people, for sure.

Don’t forget: Knitability is for patrons only so you’ll have to subscribe (you’ll thank me later).

Shawl Mashup Class with Stephen West

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This past Saturday, I finally did something for me. I know a lot of people think I’m already selfish because I tend to disappear and not talk to anyone for entire weeks at a time - fine. My work life is going bonkers and if I don’t sit and stare at a wall sometimes or turn my phone off/ignore all my incoming texts, I would probably jump off a cliff. That’s just self care. But this was actually investing in myself.

No, I wanted to look forward to something that would feed my soul (if I even have one left) so I booked a shawl design class with one of my favorite knitwear designers, Stephen West.

Yes. That Stephen West.

Back in December, I received an email from one of my LYSes, Conversational Threads, that he’d be hosting a couple classes over a weekend in February. I debated whether I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and show up to a knitting class by myself with one of the most modern, talented, and prolific designers of my time. Spoiler: I did. Once registration opened, I spent 30 minutes trying to get around the perpetual busy signal and reserve a spot (space was limited and the classes were popular) and lucked out. I feel like someone, somewhere knew I needed this.

The class itself was great. I’ve always been too terrified to knit with yarn and no intention. I think it’s because I might single-handedly support the hand-dyed fiber industry with my income so I felt like I’d be wasting my money if I screwed up my own design. But it turns out that’s nearly impossible to do. As long as you know the basic shapes and understand how to get there, you can make anything a design feature - even unintentional holes (ask me how I know).

It also helps that Stephen West might be one of the loveliest people I’ve ever met. It’s rare to run into someone who’s passionate about their chosen field so everything about the class was refreshing, probably contributing to the calming loveliness of the day. But he also has the patience of a saint and that’s not common, either. I’m a terrible teacher, which is why it’s almost comical that I’m a consultant who occasionally travels to speak about how to do stuff, so I always 100% appreciate anyone who can take a step back and instill knowledge in another human being without getting riled.

I also walked away with a few new friends and realized I need to start meeting more of “my people” at knit nights. Knitters are an interesting breed and I love surrounding myself with the uncommon and unboring. It’s kind of cool how I never leave a yarn shop without a good conversation or connection with someone else, all because we fell in love with textiles or a certain colorway, and I need more of that mojo in my life.

Suffice it to say that this was one of the greatest experiences I’ve had in a long while and I felt 100% happy and in my element. If you ever have a chance to chill with Stephen West in a fortress of yarn, do not hesitate.

Anyway, I’m off to keep working on my shawl design and probably watch a terrible true crime documentary of some sort. If you’re interested in seeing more, check out the rest of my fangirl-squee pictures below.

More Photos from Stephen West at Conversational Threads: