Holli Yeoh Knits

Thanks to illustrator, Clement Hurd, this little children’s book has a knitting reference in the illustrations. Goodnight Moon is a classic baby/children’s bedtime story and one I read many times to Devan in his early years.

This book doesn’t mention any knitting directly, but the ”quiet old lady who was whispering hush” does have knitting in her lap. Devan and I enjoyed saying goodnight to the knitting along with all the other objects in the child’s room.  Unfortunately it does perpetuate the myth that only grannies knit, but we chose to overlook that point!

I’m clearing out books and toys that Devan has outgrown and selling them at the Family Toy and Clothes Sale this Sunday (Nov. 9, 10-1 pm) at Kitsilano Community Centre. If you’re in the market and in the neighbourhood, I have lots of great books (none with knitting references though - I’m keeping them), clothes and toys.

… I mark stitches! What do you do in a pinch when you need stitch markers and you don’t have them with you? 

I used my wedding and engagement rings! They worked like a charm. I also had added incentive to finish knitting so I could retrieve my rings and get them back on my finger. Now if only that worked with the second sock syndrome.

I love children’s literature and while I was pregnant, I so looked forward to reading to Devan. I wanted to share all my childhood favourites and discover new ones together. We just finished reading Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House in the Big Woods. I wanted him to see that being a kid wasn’t always all about going to school, playing video games and getting dessert after supper. Those children in the 1800’s had a very different sort of life than he has now.

A bonus when reading to Devan is finding references to knitting. I’ve always wanted to compile a list of kid’s books that are either about knitting or have a knitting reference. The Little House book did not disappoint.

In the chapter entitled, Christmas, handknit presents were plentiful:

In each stocking there was a pair of bright red mittens, and there was a long, flat stick of red-and-white-striped peppermint candy, all beautifully notched along each side.

[…] Pa and Uncle Peter had each a pair of new, warm mittens, knit in little squares of red and white. Ma and Aunt Eliza had made them.

Laura received a very special present too:

… Laura was the happiest of all. Laura had a rag doll.

She was a beautiful doll. She had a face of white cloth with black button eyes. A black pencil had made her eyebrows, and her cheeks and her mouth were red with the ink made from pokeberries. Her hair was black yarn that had been knit and raveled, so that it was curly.

Something else that’s quite different now-a-days. This is from the chapter entitled, Sundays.

On Sundays Mary and Laura must not run or shout or be noisy in their play. Mary could not sew on her nine-patch quilt, and Laura could not knit on the tiny mittens she was making for Baby Carrie.

I’m glad we can knit on Sundays now!

I’m still working on the second sock of Cat Bordhi’s pattern, Bartholomew’s Tantalizing Socks. The first sock was completed along with several other single socks for my workshop last weekend where I taught the sky sock architecture from Cat’s book, New Pathways for Sock Knitters.

I really enjoy teaching because it gives me an opportunity to meet other knitters and discover how they knit, how they read instructions, what they find challenging, what comes easy. It’s always eye opening and I learn so much.

Back to the sock–I was working on it today at the skating arena while Devan had his lesson and I was being very careful not to drop one of my dpns. I didn’t want it to fall underneath the bleachers. I was concentrating so hard on the needles, that instead, I dropped the ball of yarn. It was gone. Needless to say, there was no more knitting for the rest of the lesson. When all the parents got up to get their children, I was able to drop my knitting under the bleachers too (since it was attached to the yarn) and then go under to retreave the whole lot. All sorts of things were stuck to my project including dust, lint, dried grass, dog hair and a whole bunch of grey hair. Yuck.

Don’t you just love the effect of the linen stitch with the hand-painted yarn? The striping is very narrow with this yarn–just one round of black alternating with one round of pink–and the linen stitch is outstanding. The top part of the sample was knit back and forth and then the round is joined and the bottom half of the linen stitch section is knit in the round. Note the difference in the look of the linen stitch. It appears to be much more even when knit back and forth. I may have to experiment to see of that’s the case, or if it’s simply a matter of the striping in the yarn affecting the look.

I’ve been working on a nice, basic grey cardigan for the past while. I started it in the summer on one of our vacations and it’s a good mindless travel/t.v. knit. The exciting part is soon to come though. It has a delicate horizontal cable running around the yoke. It is a Eunny Jang design called Tangled Yoke Cardigan and can be found in the Interweave Knits Fall 2007 issue.

When I consider other people’s designs to knit for myself, I assess them for interesting technique or a construction from which I can learn. This fits the bill on both counts. I’ve never knit a yoked sweater before. I realise there’s no great mystery as to how they’re constructed but I want to experience it first hand so I can add it to my arsenal. As for interesting technique–I’m intrigued with the horizontal running cable. I have just another inch or two and then it will be time to tackle that cable.

I also assess my knitting projects for wearability. I’ve made too many bad selections and ended up with sweaters that I just don’t wear. This time I’m sure I’ve hit the nail on the head. I love wearing layers that I can take off or put on as I get too hot and cold. The neutral grey will go with so much in my wardrobe, yet the tweedy yarn adds some interest both while knitting it and later when I wear it.

Gauge caused me some problems. When I worked the garter rib pattern my stitch gauge loosened up tremendously. I had to go down several needle sizes in order to get gauge. However, now my row gauge is way off.  I’m having to knit many, many more rows than the original design so I’m a little worried about running out of yarn. When I was swatching I used a whole ball, so I’m definitely going to have to reclaim that yarn.

Apologies to those who subscribe with an RRS feed aggregator. I’ve been updating the broken links on my blog so that they point to the new website. You’ll have a lot of blog posts you’ve already seen piled up in your aggregator.

I finished this pair of socks some time ago and promised a picture. I haven’t worn them yet, but this week for sure since the weather’s changed. They’ll look great with a pair of jeans.

Project specs:
pattern: generic top-down sock with a star toe divided into 6 sections (my own)
yarn: Opal Silk, 30% wild silk / 70% superwash wool, colour 1121
needles: set of five 2mm dpn

I’ve been using 2mm needles lately for my socks, but they are somewhat difficult to get on. The fabric is so dense and not quite as elastic as I would like. Certainly my handknits with the finer needles aren’t wearing out at all, but I think I’ll try my next pair on larger needles again. I want a pair of handknit socks that slip on easily, but also don’t fall down around my ankles or wear out quickly. The experimentation continues.

The summer has flown by and school has already started. It’s time to write my summer vacation report. Besides working on the new website design and logo I actually had some time to have a little fun too.

In July we drove down the Oregon coast for our summer vacation. I had grand plans to do a lot of knitting and brought a lot of yarn with me. But, for the most part, the roads were too twisty for me to knit in the car, our days were filled with fun and my evenings were spent with my computer in my lap working on the website. I did complete one project and it was mostly out of necessity! You can see me knitting in the background while Devan plays bingo.

While we had sunny skies most of the time on the coast, the weather was decidedly chilly and very windy. I was cold and I needed a scarf! I knit up a Handmaiden scarf kit using two strands held together. One is a silk boucle and the other is a laceweight kid mohair. Nice flash of colour at the neck and it did the job keeping me warm.

I also started a toe-up knee-high sock design I’ve been playing with. Most of the knitting occurred on the last day in the car because we were on a nice straight road. I knit well into the night until I dropped a stitch and couldn’t see to fix it.

We visited many beaches, looked in tidal pools, saw whales and many other sites.

The Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport was a real treat. The brochure featured a knitting crab working on her sixth toe-up sock. I searched high and low for her at the aquarium, but no luck. We did see jelly fish and other amazing creatures.

In August Devan and I went to visit my parents in Edmonton. We had glorious sunny days. We went rented paddle boats in Hawrelak Park and I managed to get in a bit of knitting while Devan and his GranDad chased ducks.

The Fringe Theatre Festival was going on while we were in Edmonton and we saw some fabulous plays. I managed to knit quite a bit on my knee-sock in the dark. The street performers provided great entertainment and Devan was thrilled with his balloon sword.

All in all, we had a great summer! 

Yesterday I went to Granville Island for a visit with my good friend Carmen who was one of the artisans in the Public Market that day. Our visiting was sporadic which was good for Carmen - that means there were lots of interested customers …

… like devilish Danny in his new Devil hat.  How cute is he?!

While I was waiting for Carmen I managed to finish off a pair of socks. Project specs later when I get a picture of them on my feet - and yes, they’re for me!

I love the walk to Granville Island. There’s a community garden along the old railway tracks and at this time of year it’s just beautiful with all sorts of flowers.

Carmen wrote a list of her favourite things about Granville Island in a recent blog post. Let’s see if I can come up with 10 things too, in no particular order:

• the inspiration I derive from all the great artisans selling in the Public Market and on the island

• gloriously fresh produce - especially all my summer favourites (berries, cherries, peaches, nectarines, …)
• Maiwa now carries yarn! (although it doesn’t appear to be available on their website yet)
• creative and thoughtful fine craft at Crafthouse (where I used to sell my jewellery when I was a jeweller) run by the Crafts Association of British Columbia
• the ball machine commissioned by Ocean Concrete

• watching Devan play at the waterpark (this photo was taken when he was two)
• the great programming at the False Creek Community Centre
• the Indian food at Curry 2 U in the Public Market

• meeting friends (especially Beth and Lucy) for a visit and play
• the Granville Island ferry rides

Upon rereading Carmen’s list, I see we enjoy many of the same things. What do you enjoy about Granville Island?

I was so busy assembling kits, dealing with last minute details (like buying a second-hand tent) and knitting furiously before the Victoria Knit-Out that I didn’t have a chance to share with you the final specs on some of the samples I finished (and didn’t finish ;-)) for the weekend. As they appear from top to bottom of the pile …

I started this Avery pullover ages ago and managed to finish up the corrugated ribbing for the neckline and shoulder placket. The blues in this colourway will look wonderful with a pair of jeans.

Project Stats
Pattern: Avery by me - pattern available from Holli Yeoh or ask at your LYS.
Yarn: Opal Petticoat (1293) and Opal Uni Dark Blue (1269)

I showed this sweater to you earlier. Chloë is a sweet little cardigan with interesting visual texture in the reverse stocking stitch ridges. In this design, I let the yarn dictate what stitch pattern to use next. It’s fun to swatch with a new self-patterning yarn and see what you come up with.

Kieran is one of my favourite sweaters I designed for my son. I loved seeing him wear this design when he was younger. I just might have to upsize it for this coming winter. Maybe I’ll even make it in this colourway - I love the golden highlights and the hint of mauve in some of the striping.

Project Stats
Pattern: Kieran by me and available for purchase at Holli Yeoh or ask for it at your LYS.
Yarn: Opal Elements 1073 and Opal Uni Mocha (1416)

I cheated a bit with this Lucy cardigan. My Mum knit it for me. (Thanks Mum!) It looks just great in these bright orange colours and received a lot of attention at the Knit-Out. I first chose this colourway to knit a pair of the Guess Who? gloves for Devan. Once I saw it knit up, I knew it would look great as a sweater too.

Project Stats
Pattern: Lucy by me and available for purchase at Holli Yeoh or ask for it at your LYS.
Yarn: Opal Hundertwasser (1430) with Opal Uni Orange (6) and Red (10).

Even though I didn’t get a chance to finish this JoJo cardigan, the colourway is so wonderful that it helped me sell it anyways. I had my work in progress sitting out on the table and it received more attention than many of the finished samples. I just love the strong jewel tones paired with black. Someone said it was like a stained glass window.

All of these are available as kits. Email or leave a comment if you’re interested. They will make their way to the website sooner or later if I don’t sell them first.

I hadn’t really realised it, but I’ve been knitting with circular needles almost exclusively for a few years now. I love my Addi Turbos. That’s all fine and dandy until I can’t find the right sized circular needle in my stash. I swear I have a 2 ¾ mm circular needle - or do I? At any rate, I pulled out a pair of straights and boy, do I find them cumbersome. I can’t throw the project easily into my bag when I’m on the go. The needles keep hitting the arms of the plastic chairs at the swimming pool when Devan has his lessons. I just don’t like them. I realised that while I was knitting in public, I actually felt somewhat embarrassed for using the straight needles! When did that happen? I guess the circs just seem so much more streamlined and refined now.

Finally last night I finished the last piece of the sweater that needs a 2 ¾ mm size. Now it’s just the blocking and finishing left to do.

I’m working feverishly on completing as many samples in the yarn that I carry as possible for the upcoming Victoria Fibre Festival and Knit-Out. Yes, it’s confirmed. I’m attending again this year and the dates are June 20 to 22nd. I’ll be teaching two workshops (scroll down to find them) on the Saturday at Boutique de Laine in Oak Bay. On the Sunday, I’ll be selling kits and patterns at the Knit-Out in Saxe Point Park in Esquimalt. I hope to see you there!