Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Cold Oatmeal and Other Delights

I swear in a previous life I must have been a homing pigeon. It would help to explain why, although I flap frantically toward the far horizon, I so often end up nesting in the same dang tree.

Take my relationship with color. For years, my personal rainbow began with oatmeal and ended with taupe. In a wild moment, I might dally with forest green. I even whined, at length, in this very blog that there was too much fun sock yarn on store shelves and not enough navy blue.

Then came the lime green sock moment, and the one-two punch of Brandon Mably and Kaffe Fassett in a single day. I could almost feel the shackles falling from my wrists, or the scales dropping from my eyes, or the weight lifting off my shoulders, or the cows jumping out of my rucksack.

I was free, I thought. Free at last. Why, I even made a scarf out of Noro!

Then I went to Knitting Camp, where I sat for a week surrounded by museum-quality colorwork and piles of peerless yarn. And when I decided to choose a little Shetland jumper weight to make myself a hat, this is what I picked: heathery oatmeal and heathery blue.

Shetland Wool

I'm finding that as I knit them together, I can barely see the difference. Zing.

Dubbelmössa in Progress

Mind you, I'm in love with the pattern: Meg Swansen's Dubbelmössa Hat from Handknitting with Meg Swansen. And this is my first encounter with real Shetland yarn, and I wish I had a room full of it. I'm just not certain whether, in the finished piece, this combination is going to be charmingly subtle or dull as Wal-Mart's new line of naughty lingerie designed by Lynne Cheney.

I've decided to finish it and find out.

Meanwhile, I've been crawling up the center of the Wedding Ring Shawl. And I do mean crawling.

Wedding Ring Center

The needle's the problem. I started with an Addi size 0, and found the tips weren't sharp enough to handle decreases in cobweb weight. So I ordered a Knitpicks size 0, and find that while the tips are ideal, every single stitch snags on the join between cable and needle.* So I'm open to suggestions from those who work with cobweb weight. What the heck do you use?

Noted with Pleasure

Several times I've nearly thrown the shawl across the room in frustration, although lace doesn't weigh enough to hit the wall with a satisfying smack. But my nerves have been soothed to a degree by a review copy of Richard Rutt's A History of Hand Knitting that was sent to me by Knitting Out Loud, a publisher of knitting-related audio books.

Richard Rutt on CD

I suspect that the publisher expected me to question the selection of a woman, Melissa Hughes, to read the only book in her catalogue written by a man. In the letter that accompanied my copy, she explained at length her reasons for the choice.

The fact is, Melissa Hughes needs no excuses. She's a marvel. Rutt's text is a bear to read aloud, but Hughes never falters. The multiple languages (including German, French, Italian, Arabic, Turkish, Norwegian, Swedish, et al.) roll trippingly off her tongue. She capably brings to life at least four historical/regional inflections of English. And she never goes flat, not even in the middle of long technical passages. It's a bravura performance; and for a history geek like me, this audio version of an old favorite is a welcome companion.

That said, I do hope Knitting Out Loud will consider adding a male reader or two to the stable as future projects are developed. What's written by the goose may still be read with excellent effect by the gander, eh?

Finally, in case you've been asleep this week, I'd like to draw your attention to the launch of www.twistcollective.com, an online knitting magazine that launched with flags flying on August 1. I won't pretend to be unbiased about it because I'm not–they hired me to do an illustration for Ann and Kay's advice column.

Twist Collective departs from the all-for-free model of online knitting magazines to which we've become accustomed. The articles are free, but the patterns are available for purchase. Most of the money from pattern sales goes directly to the designers, who thereby stand to make a decent profit from their work.

There's been a lot of cheering for the gorgeous designs and the concept; and also some complaining about customers being bled dry while the designers grow fat and rich at $7 per pattern. That the cheers outnumber the complaints is, I think, a happy sign that most knitters recognize the right of artists to fair compensation–something the industry has often not recognized in the past.

Makes me proud to be knitter, yes it does, even if my colorwork looks like cold mush and my lace has developed a limp.

*In order to avoid starting one of those stupid Internet rumors, I want to clarify that the needles themselves are (so far as I can tell) free of defects and they'd be great with a thicker yarn–even, I think, a standard laceweight. They just don't suit cobweb weight, which is so wispy it'll snag on the patterns in busy Linoleum. I sure appreciate the advice, though - sounds like lace Addis will be the way to go.

86 comments:

Kristen said...

Yeah, those pattern designers are going to just be rolling in it after getting their cut of those seven bucks. {sigh}

Regarding your needle issues, are you using regular Addis or their new special lace ones with the extra pointy tips? If not the latter, I suggest you try them.

Anonymous said...

No suggestions about needles -- I haven't tried cobweb yet. I will say that blue and oatmeal are, in fact, a classic color combination. Not boring, classic. Or subtle. Both.

Geek Knitter said...

I am sick unto death about this sense of entitlement I see everywhere I look. People, here's an idea. If you think $7 is too much to pay for a pattern, don't buy it!

Sheesh.

So sad to hear about your cobweb snags. And a little scared, considering the cobweb yarn and Options 0's waiting for me in my stash.

Anonymous said...

Re the needles I second Kristen.
I love Twist Collective and they have $14 of my money I don't resent it one bit.

Emily said...

Hmm, I might call Knit Picks customer service and tell them the problem. Their customer service is quite good and they will probably send you another circular. I've not had any problem with the joins on my KP needles (but then, I've also not worked with cobweb weight yarn). It might not fix it, but just in case you got a dud, it might be worthwhile.

Laura said...

Did you try the Addi lace needles (or just the plain Addi bluntos)? I've been pretty happy with the points on the Addi lace needles and haven't struggled with the join issues.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the heads up about the new on-line knitting mag, and congrats on getting picked for the article sketch.

I don't mind paying designers for their patterns. They have bills to pay, too, and they deserve getting paid for their hard work. Designing knitwear isn't easy!

PICAdrienne said...

I am using some Addis with the lace tips right now, and they seem very nice. I would prefer them a bit pointier, actually, but they are much pointier than the regular Addi turbos. (I realize this is a completely original suggestion, at this point in the comments.)

As for the hat, and how subtle the colors are, they are beautiful, but you may want to add the 'pop' of a bit of navy blue (in this instance, I think navy would be a pop).

I think the Twist Collective is wonderful. The difference for me is, until I have swatched (as the information is provided for that), I will not actually buy the pattern. I will just be a bit more careful than my pattern hoarding from Knitty, or Knitting Daily. I think it may make a change, as far as a pattern going 'viral'. And, if a pattern does go viral, then the designer deserves every penny they earn.

bcat said...

As your other folks have noted, Addi lace needles are the way to go and they make them in 00. Angelika's has a nice selection and she ships quickly.-store.com/addi-lace-circular-knitting-needles.html

Another sharp point is Hiya Hiya, but the cables drive me nuts. I've heard that since I bought mine, they may have changed the cables to be more flexible.

Yours in lace :)

Anonymous said...

Second the suggestion to contact Knit Picks about your join problem. They have been very good about replacing a couple bad cables in my Options set.

In the meantime, here's a quick and dirty fix. Apply some Super Glue over the join. (Um, take your knitting off the needle first, 'kay?) Let it cure, sand it down with a fine emery board; rinse and repeat if necessary until the join is smooth. This is a variation of the method used by manicurists to do silk nail wraps. The SG is strong and hard and can be sanded to a satin smoothness. I have used SG to mend a KP cable where the cable had completely parted from the cable end, and it worked perfectly.

I for one find your oatmeal and blue-gray hat charming and subtle beautiful. So there.

Anonymous said...

Knotions online magazine (knotions.com) also launched this week. Has some non-name designers and all the patterns are free. I was not hired by them, but would like to mention Theresa's great job on it.

beth02116 said...

Addis LACE needles- the only way to go! they are super sharp and a bit sticky - just like i like my---needles?

pigbook1 said...

Thankfully, I haven't seen the complaining about paying for the patterns. I can say I had a few other critiques of the mag, but nothing mean, just personal opinions and I have those for every magazine(I also know that if there is nothing nice to say don't say anything at all). I am in the... if it isn't worth your money don't buy it but leave me alone if I think it is worth my dolla's :-/
I wonder about the sweater, I have seen some off-white with that kind of blue, but never the oatmeal. It might just be my new favorite color combination(though I may change my mind, you never know).

Anonymous said...

I am also working with the cobweb silk on this shawl and have had the same needle problem. The "new" Addi Lace needles (red cable) don't come in sizes smaller than US 1. The Addi's labeled "Lace" that are smaller than US 1 (gold cable), don't have sharp enough tips. No LYS had anything, so I bought several types of needles from Lacis.com, hoping something would work. I found that the US 0 Hiya Hiya points are sharp enough but the silk does catch now and then on the join. I'm going to try the super glue trick suggested by the earlier commenter. Please let us know if you find something else that works well. Thanks, Deidre

trickytricot said...

Two words: straight needles.

Mel said...

I don't see anything wrong with oatmeal and heathery blue.

Jessica said...

Franklin,
Skacel will be releasing Addi Lace needles in a US 0 in September. For some reason they already have 00 available. There will also be 000 in the fall.

Vivienne said...

My first faltering attempts to knit cobweb weight (Sharon Miller's Rosebud Shawl) are only possible with the assistance of Addi Lace needles (albeit in a considerably larger size).

There is a retired bishop at my church who trained with Richard Rutt, and was later a canon at Leicester Cathedral when Rutt became bishop. The young Richard Rutt was apparently frequently to be found on the boundary of the cricket pitch, reading Latin verse, and complaining vociferously if anyone hit a ball in his direction.

Anonymous said...

I swatched some socks to be my first colourwork project in just those shades. Only lighter. And possibly, closer in tone. Very foggy. Not at all zingy. I like fog, though. (I never did start that particular project.)

Dana said...

i just finished knitting sharon miller's unst stole a few weeks ago, using my addi turbo circulars in a size zero (2 mm) and a cobweb weight yarn. while i longed for an addi lace needle, especially when unknitting something, addi does not make a size zero yet. as you well know. if you have your heart set on the look you get with your size zero needles, i think you will just have to suck it up and knit on. that your yarn snags on the join of the knitpicks needle would be more of a frustration to me than the relative pointiness of the needle tip. and the possibility of breakage with such a fine yarn is always there.

Patti said...

(1) Hiya Hiya needles. Very pointy, not too expensive, they come in small sizes. I have knit beaded purses with them, and have been happy

(2) Blue and oatmeal.. what can I say, I'm in a color rut myself. only with me it's grey..so to me, your blue and oatmeal is like a wild party.

(3) Pattern designers deserve every penny they get for the hours and hours they put into designing, knitting, re designing, re knitting, writing, rewriting, test knitting their work. The bigger question is how to get other knitters to STOP asking me for photocopies of patterns I paid for?????

(4) Wedding ring shawl with cobweb yarn... wow.. I'm in awe.

Anonymous said...

Lacis http://lacis.com/catalog/
and
Sandy at Moonrise
http://www.moonriselaceknitting.com

Have HIYAHIYA STAINLESS STEEL CIRCULAR KNITTING NEEDLES
I think only Sandy carries the 32" ones though

and

Yarn Forward http://www.yarnforward.com

Has Aero

Steph said...

oh god, oh god... my head is spinning and I'm feeling sick. Knitting Out Loud is the name of my knitting group... I don't think the knitting world needs another copyright infringement case, does it?

re: Needles: Have you tried the Clover Takumi Velvet? I'm knitting some lace with them right now and aren't finding it too snaggy. I'm just not sure about the tips on the small sizes, however, being wooden they could be sharpened.

Leslie said...

While I don't care much for the layout of Twist Collective, I am planning a couple of purchases. $7 for a pdf really is MORE than I'd like to pay, but that's because I want everything for free. Designers should be paid for their work - period, end of discussion.

Heathery Oatmeal and Heathery Blue. Oy.

Virginia said...

I'm sure someone has said this, but I didn't find it quickly ... have you tried using the little tightening stick to get the join between the needle and the cable really, really tight? I often find that works, but then, I'm not working with really tiny yarn either.

Good luck!

V

knititch said...

7 dollars for a great pattern. i think it is cheap. one should worship and adore people who take the time to design and then sit down and write patterns. and people like adrian bizilia and kate gilbert should really be rewarded for all their free patterns that allow people all over the world to wear pirate hats and clapotis shawls. it is strange that some people feel proud to be knitters but they almost think writing patterns is a picnic. oh my. it annoys me. oatmeal is my fave colour. i understand you completely. and i am so sad that you never made it to europe i.e. denmark with your 1000 knitters project.

Kim said...

I think that you'll be pleasantly surprised with your Dubbelmossa in those colors! It may seem subtle now, but I'm betting that it will be gorgeous when it's finished.
(although if you hate it, I'll feel terrible, since I told you that I thought that they went together beautifully at camp!)

Anonymous said...

About the Knitpicks needles, my brilliant former roommate puts nail polish on the joins of her needles to keep lace from snagging.

Unknown said...

1) I think that being able to buy a single pattern v. the whole magazine (the all or nothing alternative) is fantastic: I can buy only what I like.

2) Who said you had to finish the lace tomorrow?? Don't listen to them. Savor it.

3) A kind soul from your comments passed this on to me: Hiya Hiya needles at http://www.knittingzone.com/ Personally haven't tried them, but given the super tiny sizes they come in (00000 ???? in a circ???) perhaps they have the snagging thing all figured out.

Loved the Zimmermini's!!

Cheri said...

I love the oatmeal and heathery blue (I just knit a top in raspberry hemp and it just seems so bright, and such a departure from my mild colors).

I've got to try that super glue suggestion as I seem to have some snaggy needles (I can't even imagine cobweb yarn!)

I'm happy to give the designers $7 if it means I get to knit without having to do a lot of math.

Anonymous said...

I second the idea of using superglue or clear nail polish to smooth the joins. You might want to add a manicurist's buffing stick to your toolbox, for getting those reinforced joins extra smooth.

For cobweb, I have had the best success using either long straight needles or some antique circs I picked up - I think they are Susan Bates (maybe, but there are no identifying marks), but they are at least 30 years old, so good luck finding them. If you really get into a bind, I'd be willing to loan them to you. :)

Anne said...

A drop of clear nailpolish (or sparkly lime green to match your socks if you prefer) worked great for me to fill in the little crack in the join. Capilary effect pulls it around, just don't glop it on, and let it dry really well (keep the yarn away!). I saw someone else suggest this, too - yea creative problem solvers!

You can use gel super glue to build up a smooth transition if needed. Manicure files will give a flawless transition if there are bumps.

the Lady said...

You might want to try Hiya Hiya needles. There's no cable/needle snag place, the join is that good. I don't know if they'll be sharp enough, but they are pretty decent, they might work out for you.

Carol said...

Yes, dear, you need Addi Turbo Lace needles. Sharper tip and a gold color finish. PM me if you want me to send you some...

N said...

Thought you might be interested to know... I recently got back from China, and your blog is great-firewalled there. At first I thought it was because of your Buddhist connections, but it appears that all of blogspot is non grata in the middle kingdom.

So, I'm happy to be back and once more able to read your witty posts!

New Jersey Laura said...

Thank you Franklin and many readers for the nail polish tips, super glue tips, filing wood needle tips pointier, and pointiest tip tips. If you know a woodworker buddy or someone who works in metal arts, they could probably sharpen any of your needles for you. The cable joins -- always an issue! I have been after my brother the chemist, but clearly should have asked my manicurist or Dolores! P.S. At one time Addy would make circulars to order any length you want (tempting to order outrageous sizes just because you can!) I don't know if they still do.

Rebecca said...

Right now I'm knitting cobweb with Knitpicks Harmony circulars and not finding them too bad. The join catches a bit but it just takes a second to dislodge, so it's no big deal. The best cobweb-knitting needles I've ever owned were 2mm grey Inoxes—no snag at all—but when I bought another set the join snagged stitches like you wouldn't believe. Hmph.

Inoxes might be worth trying, though, if you can inspect the join personally in person before you buy.

hokieknitter said...

Have you tried Inox needles? I've heard and read that they're preferred by some for cobweb weight lace knitting. Also, I'd try leaving a message at Heirloom Knitting's site or Galena's. Addi lace needles are very nice but I'm not sure if you're already using them.

FiberQat said...

Lace Addis are coming out in zeroes. Offer to be a test driver.

Don't give up the dubbelmossa!

SoapDoc said...

Are you using the Addi LACE needle? They are sharper than the regular Addi's, but not sure how much when using cobweb weight yarn.

Joy said...

Addi Lace needles for sure. Light, pointy as hell, great flexible cables with perfect joins. My Addi Lace needles are the only circulars I haven't replaced with KnitPicks. They'll have to be pried from my cold dead fingers.

One funny caution however. These needles are SO light it's easy to lose track of them WHILE knitting! The first time I used a pair to knit a lace scarf I kept inadvertently letting go of one end of the needle becaause it had no weight at all and my fingers lost track of the fact that it was there at all. Got used to it after a few pattern repeats though.

Goodluck!

Jesse said...

Have you checked out Heirloom Knitting (or other wise known as Princess 2.0) on ravelry yet? They have postings about which needles used to knit the Princess Shawl. Since it's the same designer I'm sure the tips/ideas would transfer to the Wedding Ring Shawl.

Anonymous said...

I'm with Picadrienne - I love the oatmeal-and-blue but if you want it to pop a little, add just a little navy blue.

Lacefreak said...

I have had a lot of problems with cobweb weight yarns and needles as well on my WRS which had been in hibernation. I put the border stitches on HiyaHiya since there are no US 0 in the Addi lace yet and the join is not bad at all. Not as pointy as Addi lace or even Inox, but I think they will be good enough. Your WRS looks wonderful so far.

Anonymous said...

I would think the obvious choice for cobweb would be spider legs, eh? Maybe not long enough, oh well.....

Someone overheard me say I used Addi Turbos and she said "abby turtles? what?!" She was not a knitter but now I can't call them by the right name anymore, abby turtles it is!

As a number of people have mentioned, there are Addi lace tips, very pointy. Best of luck!

TransplantedOkie said...

The blue and oatmeal remind me of beach colors. How nice to have something that could remind you of the beach while keeping you warm!

Helen said...

As everyone says, the Addi lace needles are lovely. I haven't used the tiny tiny tiny ones since I am a more hulking sort of person, but the 4mms are bliss. I hear you about your personal rainbow: I can't wear oatmeal and taupe makes me look as if I've died, but I do like a nice grey - I'm wearing grey nail polish right now.

Unknown said...

You are an artist . . . I would have looked at the wedding shawl and laughed myself hysterical rather than even start.

I have many knitpicks needles. Many, like the entire Options set and several Harmony tips and needles. I have had problems with only two (one Harmony had a snag and a joint issue). When I called customer service, they were incredibly kind and wonderful and sent me replacement products. VERY QUICKLY.

Liz said...

Good, I was going to suggest lace Addi's. I have been desperate to start a new lace project and I can't cause I need to finish what I have on my needles and all of my yarn is packed to move to the new house in a week.

I like the hat.

Anonymous said...

OK. I sent an e-mail to Heirloom Knitting explaining the problem and inquiring what needles they would recommend. Sharon Miller herself responded, and here is what she said "Yes, I have the same problem which is 'got around' to an extent like this -

Put a very tiny elastic band on the needle tip and wrap it on tightly, then slide this 'ring' to the join. Do so to the other needle. Then the stitches can't travel pass the joins except when you want them to and have removed the band, - for pattern checking. You must use a stitch stopper to stop the stitches sliding off the needle with this method.

The above will work in most cases but if, you've too many stitches for it to work, (knitting 'in the round' for instance) then, at the start of each section, tightly gather the ssts on the lh needle into a bunch and push/ rotate them over the join to get the most of them in readiness.

It is a problem with all circulars and fine yarns, I've thought many times on how it could be resolved, but glue may make a problem worse, and the above does work, tedious as it can be. I'd rather have the sharp points too!

Best regards,

Sharon

Laura said...

How about single point bamboo needles? No joints to worry about and they can be very pointy.

missalicefaye said...

argh--the frustration of a bad join!

The KnitPicks needle joins seem to vary in quality--I have a couple of size 0 circulars that have very smooth joins, and they are actually my favorites for cobweb work (I'm using one for the Princess shawl). I like my Hiya Hiya needles, too, but I haven't tried them in a 0, so I can't speak to the smoothness of the join.

Good luck! Your shawl is looking lovely!

graceknits said...

Franklin,
First of all, I love your blog. I check up on you right after YH.
Two things I would like to bring to your attention. First of all, when I google "panopticon" you are now listed first on google responses. Congratulations on that, you've moved up at least 5 slots since I started reading you.
Second, check out Moonrise supplies by Sandy Terp. I trust her completely and she has some very small gauge circulars, I think imported from Japan. Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Everyone's talking about needles, but I want to say something about Twistcollective: I have stacks of knitting magazines full of patterns that are inspiring, but realistically I will only ever use/make a few of them. At best. And I paid, oh four or five bucks for each of those magazines (I subscribe.) That's a lot of dollars (no regrets) tied up in patterns I won't use.

I think Twistcollective's system is brilliant! You get to read the magazine and get inspired by the photos and articles, but it doesn't cost anything unless you want the pattern in your hand.

As to the layout, I like it. It's not the usual web system, more like flipping the pages of a paper magazine.

Krafty Like A Fox said...

I kind of like the heathered blue and oatmeal. It looks like hot cereal on a snowy morning.

I'm with you on the Twist Collective; the designers deserve to get a good cut. And their designs are so beautiful I, for one, won't mind the price.

Anonymous said...

Hi Franklin- Wait a month or two and there'll be new sizes of the Addi Lace needles - down to 0 and I think even finer, plus they'll be making some of the smaller in-between sizes that we've all been wanting for decades.
So it was you who did the illustration for Ann and Kay's page - I thought I recognized a Delores-like feeling!

Rhonda the Stitchingnut said...

I LOVe my Addi Lace needles!

Anonymous said...

t read on the Subway Knitter's blog (http://www.interweave.com/knit/books/mittens.asp) that she gets a mere 35 cents for each download of her fabulous pattern for the Charlie Card mittens (or "Subway Mittens," as IK renamed them). That's just 10% of the price paid for each download.

I support efforts like the Twist Collective wholeheartedly (and with as much of my paycheck as I can afford). I think the designers should get every penny. Where would be without them?

Anonymous said...

Oops, the first few lines of my post got cut off. It should read:

I just read on the Subway Knitter's blog...

Sorry about that!

Anonymous said...

I would suggest the Addi Lace needles. They have pointier tips than regular Addi's with a bit of a coating of some kind to make them a hair less slippery than the regular ones. I have used them for Magic Loop socks & LOVE them. I think they are the perfect needle (for me anyway).

Anonymous said...

I forgot to say that I too am a lover of the heathery oatmeal (& the gray to a lesser extent) even though I also like a lot of bright colors. There is just something so subtle & lovely about it - definitely great for lace esp shawls..

Sandra D. said...

I think your oatmeal and blue will turn out to be quite nice. As someone else said - beautiful and subtle at the same time.

I've had good luck with the KnitPicks on regular lace weight so your hunch there is right.

I "had" to have 3 of the patterns from Twist Collective - it's great!

Patti said...

I forgot to mention yesterday, if you are inclined towards straight needles for your lace project, signature Needle arts makes LOVELY needles, you can choose the length, the tip (stilleto is called for here) the color and the design on the end of the needle. I bought a pair at Stitches west, and while I don't use straight needles to often, I do love these little babes. Also, they are finished in a way (tiny tiny grooves, like on a record) so that your work doesn't slip around. They are pricey, but ohhhhh they are worth every penny. good luck.

Alwen said...

Vat iss all dis circular? Ve use nossing but dpns. 12 at a time.

I'll be trying some Gutermann silk next. *sigh*

thistledown musings said...

I love your color combination. But that may be because I am a blue person.

laurie said...

the color combo is lovely...it's just not quite contrasty enough for colorwork methinks :-( i tend to have the same problem choosing colors that contrast enough...which i get around by having someone else choose em for me ;-)

would you believe i'm knitting with cobweb on 4s? and yes with the addi lace needles it works up a treat. unfortunately as many others have said, the 0s aren't out yet, and yes i'm waiting impatiently for those too! i've gotten really enthused about the addi lace needles and am using them for darn near everything these days, especially socks.

can't wait to see your shawl done (yes i know i have to)...i couldn't work up enough nerve to order it myself *sigh*

roxie said...

Some people are born with extra color receptors in their eyes that allows them to distinguish extremely subtle variations in shade and hue. You probably fall into the additionally gifted category. As we age, our rods and cones burn out, and we wind up as grandmothers mixing orange and purple and turquoise with chartreuse and day-glow yellow.

And, as it happens, I LIKE cold oatmeal!!

Anonymous said...

Sharon Miller sells the Inox circular on her website and at least a couple of years ago this is what she herself used and I must say I prefer them myself knitting lace.
Good luck!

Nana Sadie said...

I'll vouch also for the Addi Lace needles!
I LIKE the "cold oatmeal" hat.
(((hugs)))

Anonymous said...

I'm using similar colors for an Irish Hiking Scarf, but I'm also using a medium blue, and shocking pink (subtle I'm not). What about a deep eggplant with either of those colors? And why aren't you making the hat in the university colors (snort)? They keep sending mail to my daughter--but never any cash to go with it.
MIchelene

Yarnhog said...

I was going to suggest the Addi lace needles, too, but it looks like about 70 people beat me to it.

Nothing wrong with being unable to resist the same colors over and over. We all do it. (I have an unfortunate obsession with red--unfortunate, because I am a redhead--but I have given up fighting it.)

Anonymous said...

No needle help from me. Cobwed weight? You, brave, brave man.

Twist Collective is wonderful! What a well-thought out launch. The art direction is fantastic (love the yarn sample pages), the article selection is rich in information (Cat Bordhi! Woohoo) and $7 for a very hip Adrian Bizilia pattern can't be beat. Count me as a happy visitor to the new site.

Anonymous said...

I hope you can do an audio version of "IT Itches."

nosenabook said...

The oatmeal and blue Shetland sweater will become you so well that I don't see what the problem is. I love the combination, and I vote subtle.

thalassophile said...

Your worried about blue and cream? I chose white and gray, truly cold oatmeal, at least in my house I least you picked color. ;-)

undeadgoat said...

As I was scrolling down my RSS feed, I saw the scrumptious combination you're disparaging, and decided I needed to read the post. I mean . . . wow. I want clothing in that palette. And to put things in a little bit of perspective, I am the sort of 18-year-old girl who wears wings to school for the hell of it, and is a devotee of loud, mismatched socks with silver pumps, and just in general has a very different fashion history from yourself.

MaryjoO said...

thanks for posting about the Knitting Out Loud version of Rutt's book -- I think I'll get it soon otherwise it will take me (and is taking me) forever to finish.

But every once in a while a real gem pops up: his simple and straight forward explanation of the timeless "art vs craft" is on page 25 of the 1987 hardback edition.

on the needle suggestions: has someone suggested the Addi Turbo bamboo Natura?

Courtney the Knitting Goddess said...

Best lace needles EVAR = Jenkins. They are pointy and sharp and make lacework a dream. Cannot recommend them highly enough.

Courtney the Knitting Goddess said...

forgot to mention... there's nothing wrong with your color choices. the problem you're having is a VALUE problem... the oatmeal and heather blue, while far different in hue, are too close in value to have the contrast you want. Color is not all that important in our visual field.

Get thyself a value card.

Unknown said...

I guess I wish the Twist Collective would not be referred to as a magazine. If you bought all the patterns it would set you back $140-ish. That's a lot for a "magazine." It's really a catalogue. THe designers get a "healthy percentage" of what the pattern brings in, which sounds vague. I guess that means a designer could possibly get nothing for all their work.

Anonymous said...

I try to do my fine lace on straight needles to avoid the joins but maybe this isn't possible with a kazillion stitches?

Anonymous said...

So next year, I'll sit next to you and we'll pick out something wild out of that huge pile of Shetland. K?
Sara

Monika said...

I've listened to it too, but I could hardly stand M. H.'s voice. It was my first audio book, have listened to several others, and decided, that I like male voices for that kind of thing better.

Anonymous said...

I'm not going to worry about how much "Twist Collective" charges for their patterns ... That's not because I'm a wealthy knitter. It's because their site is incredibly difficult to navigate and I have therefore been unable to find a full photograph of any item for which they are selling their patterns. Elbows, yes. Necklines, yes. Cable details, yes. But full garment? Size range? Stitch pattern / construction methods? No, no, and no.

And, oh -- I also haven't been able to find the column Franklin drew the cartoon for, so I haven't seen the cartoon either.

Phooey.

--Lynda in Oregon

Silvertree said...

Those colors aren't mush. I love them :) You just need to call them something artsier, say, "Sand and Sky" - see now, isn't that better? And then call the finished hat the "Summer at the Beach" version. Yeah, that's it. Except it's a winter hat x 2. Oh well.

www.pontevedra-3d.com said...

It won't really have effect, I consider like this.