Stitches West – Anna Zilboorg class

March 8, 2015 | Sonia Knits

Upon booking for Stitches, I decided that if I was going to take a class (and take 3 hours out of my market shopping budget time), it was going to be with someone memorable.

Enter Anna Zilboorg! I’d read a few things about Anna and I thought it would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend 3 hours with her in her class: Surprisingly Special Techniques. She did not disappoint.

Her thoughts and ideas on knitting were about simplicity. How simple things can make all the difference to the finished look of your knitting. She’s a bit of a perfectionist, and for once I really liked that (says the knitter who hates ripping back). Why continue to knit sloppy garments when you can change small things to your repertoire and look clever?

I’ve been knitting (k1 p1) rib for years, and the only time I’d ever knit a twisted rib was on Cookie A socks (in the round). A simple thing like twisting this one stitch on both sides of knitting when knitting a garment, makes for a much nicer rib, right? Why wouldn’t you always do this on cardigans and sweaters, instead of saggy rib?

She taught us her method for setting up and cutting a steek. My first ever!

The perfect way to make a cluster easily and effectively.

And of course her proudest invention, the Perfect Buttonhole! Boy oh boy is it ever perfect! It’s seamless from the front to the back and it’s a thing of beauty.

She’s also a pretty cool woman. When I asked for a photo, she didn’t even flinch at the term ‘selfie’.

She is the author of Knitting Anarchist (now on Kindle) and several other knitting pattern books, including Knitting Free-Sole socks. I have a bit of homework to do.

My visit to San Francisco

March 3, 2015 | Sonia Knits

After eight years of being away, I returned to visit San Francisco on Valentine’s Day. I can see the irony.

The first thing I did after getting off the plane (and after checking in at my hotel and taking a shower), was to visit my old neighbourhood in the Marina district.

Much to my surprise and pleasure; nothing had changed, aesthetically speaking.

Not a damn thing. That was my greatest fear, and probably what kept me away for so long; that going back would somehow diminish my memory of one of my most inspiring times. The memory that I walk through like it’s a dream.

My personal landmarks, our apartment, my dry-cleaner, my local yarn store, heck even the muni bus tickets… were all the same as they were. Nothing has changed in eight years. It’s like I left the city as a time capsule.

Intellectually I know it has changed. My local friends told me it was busier and much more expensive than it was when I was living there.

The cable car rides are as fabulous as they were and the cable car drivers just as hilarious.

A pre-stitches visit to Imagiknit was in order. I hate to say it, but now with a few fabulous Melbourne yarn stores, Imagiknit had lost a bit of it’s shine for me. That’s not a bad thing.

I still managed to buy a project and a tiny wee sheep for my desk at work.

A bridge visit was mandatory.

As was a visit to the Palace of Fine Arts, my number one favourite place in San Francisco. I couldn’t really get across to Debs (my travelling partner), why it was so amazing, she thought I was just taking her to some park. Until we got there, then I think she got it.

Debs wanted to see the Painted Ladies, I was happy to oblige.

We caught up with a few of my SF Knitting buddies and there were many laughs to be had and suddenly the eight year gap had closed.

There was a visit to Coit Tower (because I had never been, and this was a regret) Did I tell you Debs has a wicked sense of humour?

A walk down the crooked street was also in order.

And. We went shopping!

That was my visit to San Francisco after all this time and as I said to Deb, I’m no longer living in the past. That makes me happy. I’ve created some new memories of the city and Debs created a lot of laughs. I don’t think I could have had a better time in SF* and I have Deb to thank for that.

*ok maybe with my husband because I have to say that

Stitches West – The Loot

March 1, 2015 | Sonia Knits

I’ve had a few days to recover from my jet-lag and my disastrous trip home (long story short, it took 2 days to get home) so I think you’ve waited long enough, without further ado here’s the yarn I came home with!

You can read more about our experience at the show here on the Richmond Knitters blog. I’ll also be covering other aspects of the trip here, over the next week or so.

At this point, I think that I should say that I am very happy with everything I got and clearly I didn’t leave anything I wanted, behind. That was my mistake 8 years ago, I think there’s a lesson in that…

My shopping experience was made better by having a partner, Deb did an awesome job of inspiring my purchases; I was lost without her when she was in her class on Friday morning. I did not/could not buy a single thing then, go figure.

Yoth Yarns (Yarn On The House) was hot at the show

Western Sky Knits (WSK) a personal fave. Came home with 9 skeins…

Jill Draper Makes Stuff; love this colour!

Koigu (yes more koigu), Canon Hand Dyes, Invictus Yarns (gradient), WSK

A Verb for Keeping Warm / Romi Hill Mystery Knit Along

From left: Miss Babs, Anzula, Lisa Souza

I’ll be popping all this up on Rav now in case you want the finer details and more eye-candy. On the blog this week I’ll cover off my trip to San Francisco, my class with Anna Zilboorg, and anything else I can think of. ‘Till then, enjoy!

Wednesday WIP – Gone Knitting

February 12, 2015 | Sonia Knits

Just a quick one. I’m about to embark on a very yarny adventure of a lifetime (I will tell you all about it when I get back) and hubby is not coming, weeeeeeee!

The Bloom Dress is finished and it is stunning, I’m so happy with it. It hasn’t been given to my niece M yet, but it will be on my return and then there will be adorable photos, hopefully.

I’m about to cast-on for my trip knitting and after some sound inspiration and advice, I’m casting on for a Clincher scarf by Ash Kearns. I’m using deep-stash again for no other reason than, I think I have the perfect yarn. Colinette Jitterbug in colour way Toscana. In my opinion, this yarn is no good for socks (I’ve had 2 pairs die on me), as it has no nylon content in it. So… after buying up heaps before this discovery… it is now accessory yarn.

I also gave it the Citric Acid treatment that Jasmine from the Knitmore girls prescribed for suspect yarns. It was probably safe from colour loss for this particular colour way, but I didn’t want to chance it again (my experience with Jitterbug). After all that, it’s still a beautiful yarn, if you treat it right.

See you soon!

Wednesday WIP – Still blooming

February 4, 2015February 3, 2015 | Sonia Knits

Despite my desperation about knitting at the moment, I was unable to finish the Bloom tunic/dress by the weekend for a visit with my family. It’s been a busy week! Nonetheless I’m very happy with how Bloom is shaping up and I’ve had some very kind comments about it from The Richmond Knitters. This ‘Use It or Lose It’ project is definitely a keeper.

Catching up with my sister reminded me of why I love knitting for her babies. Niece #2 was wearing niece #1 hand-me-down: Baby Yoda Sweater. Ahhhhhhh…

At one point she even made the same wide yawn her sister had when Damian snapped this 2.5 years ago:

It makes the knitting time all worthwhile…

Getting back to Bloom, I couldn’t resist popping in the ribbon early, it still needs it’s ends trimmed. Little girls and ribbon are so pretty… I suspect it will need to have a double-knot so she doesn’t pull it out.

Have a great week!

Wednesday WIP – Knitting fever

January 28, 2015January 27, 2015 | Sonia Knits

I’ve been overcome by Knitting Fever, well that’s the only way I can describe it.

I want to knit ALL OF THE TIME, so much so I’ve knitted in my lunch break this past week. I just want to knit and knit and knit.

Except for Friday night. I spun on Friday night, completing the singles on the Cormo fibre. This Friday is pencilled in for plying.

I’ve cast on for Bloom, a little tunic dress for my niece. I’m using some Use It Or Lose It yarn, a Jo Sharp cotton. It is surprisingly nicer to knit with than I expected, it’s a bit splitty, but overall ok. There are a few wonky stitches from an accidental dropped stitch… which I’m hoping will rectify itself in blocking… but nothing a crochet flower won’t sort out.

I’m up to the eyelet row which will be woven through with some pretty ribbon. I’m kind of obsessed with the idea of getting this done before the weekend. I’m feeling quite good about knitting with deep-stash and the fact that this project is working out. It means that ‘stashing’ isn’t such a bad thing and I’ll use EVERYTHING eventually. Or I can, if I put my mind to it…

This week I’ve begun listening to The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. I’ve read some great reviews on the story and the narration which so far seems excellent. It is only 10 hours long, so I should get through a fair chunk of it this week.

Wednesday WIP – formally Yarn Along

January 21, 2015January 20, 2015 | Sonia Knits

I have enjoyed writing a regular blog post on Wednesdays, but I was beginning to feel like a fraud by participating in ‘Yarn Along’. For one thing, I just don’t get through that many books. Therefore, I’m going on my own, Wednesday WIPs will be landing in your inbox from now on in. It doesn’t mean I’ll stop reporting on books, there just won’t be the expectation!

This week my Cookie A Arrow socks had a second social outing. Catching up with my tri-craftual friends at the weekend, I enjoyed a few pleasurable hours knitting, chatting and eating plenty of delights at Jo’s home.

#Latergram By the time you’re reading this I’m hoping the socks will be finished and I’ll have cast-on something new. It seems I am indeed monogamous.

Whilst at Jo’s place, a visit to Amitie Textiles was in order, and whilst I did not buy anything from this patchwork shop… seeing Amanda’s latest project did sway me to the dark side, just a little. She is in the process of sewing/embroidering a quilt which has a map of Paris on top. It turns out you can buy all sorts of cities maps from this company. I was in awe.

San Francisco is also available… I think I have a project for our next gathering in Hepburn Springs.

No really. The SF map has the street where we used to live. Can’t you tell I was sucked in? I wouldn’t need to do much piecing together. The quilt top is largely taken up with the map panel, then I just need to add a frame, buy some backing fabric and the woollen fabric for the in-between and presto, I’ll be walking down the streets of San Francisco as I’m quilting away. The website encourages you to personalise your quilt. I could pop in our apartment, my local yarn store, you get the picture.

I’m only 4 weeks away from re-visiting my old neighbourhood. I’m a little excited, nervous and afraid. This idolised memory I have of SF could be totally destroyed. Or not. I hope not. One thing is for certain, there will be souvenir yarn.

And then coincidently in some ways, I’ve just finished listening to Kafta on the Shore. It seems Murakami’s books have a haunting message in them, (as well as being bizarre and weird). He leads you on this journey and it’s difficult to put all the pieces together, but some of them fit. I don’t think I can appreciate the full meaning to his work. He is pretty amazing. The audio book was excellently narrated and I felt this added to my experience of the book.

See you next week!

Friday Night Spinning

January 18, 2015 | Sonia Knits

Due to my lack of spinning on any regular basis, I think I need to reinstate Friday Night Spinning.

I was too worn out from the week to set my mind to knitting of any sort on Friday night but spinning seemed like the ‘right’ thing to do.

I took the opportunity to add to the cormo bobbin I had begun weeks ago. I’m spinning fairly thin (for me) so it’s still going to take at least another Friday night session, but isn’t it pretty? I can’t hardly wait until I Navajo ply it into some amazing pink, white and green stripes, yum.

Getting back to spinning may also have been prompted by an ‘unexpected’ parcel delivery this week. The excitement of receiving a parcel, but not knowing what it is?! What could it be? Did I order some self-striping sock yarn in my sleep?!

But alas, it was my Southern Cross Fibre Club for January arriving earlier than I had anticipated. Once again, an amazing colour way.

This week I also received a much coveted book:

Hell if everyone else is going to do colour work this year, then so am I. Someone pass me some scissors so I can steek something!

It has been a book acquisition week, I picked up 2 books with a Christmas voucher.

Magpies, homebodies, Nomads was on my book list and What to knit: The Toddler years was a book I bought for my mum. I liked it so much I wanted a copy for myself, babies grow into toddlers after all.

Wishing you all a productive and fulfilling week.

Yarn Along – Garance Sweater

January 14, 2015January 11, 2015 | Sonia Knits

Welcome to another week of Yarn Along with Ginny, you can go see what everyone is up to this week by following the links on her blog.

I got a moment at the weekend (and some not too hot weather) to have a couple of photos taken with my finished sweater! As you know it was a ‘Use it or Lose it’ project, so there was a lot riding on it’s success.

I haven’t had the opportunity to wash the sweater yet, so I’m interested to see how much the Habu Silk Gima will soften up in the process. I’m not really fussed if it doesn’t, there’s something about the crunchy texture that appeals to me.

Despite it’s lacey ‘look’ the sweater is quite warm to wear. It is 100% silk, which i think deceives a lot of people into thinking it’s a ‘cool’ fibre because it hasn’t come off a sheep back. When in fact, in my experience it’s quite a cosy fibre to wear.

Having completed the knitting and sewing up, there was still a little yarn left on the cone. I was able to slide the leftover off to weigh (and slide it back onto the cone). Woe, there is still a third left. What-to-do-what-to-do. For now it goes back into the stash, I could perhaps make a little vest out of the left-over, or if any of my friends would like it for themselves, please let me know so that I can do this fine yarn some justice. I would love that, it would be exciting to see it reach it’s full potential as a ‘Use it or Lose it’ yarn.

I have been eyeing off my other UIOLI projects and am thinking about casting on another one very soon. At this rate there won’t be any ‘dregs’ in my stash by next year.

I’m so close to completing Kafka on the Shore, such disturbing weirdness, oh how will it end? Not well for some characters I’m tipping.

Sonia Knits

The adventures of a Melbourne Knitter

Author: Sonia Knits