Monthly Archives: December 2015

Knitting with a volcano

Posted on December 21, 2015 | 2 comments

Last week I went to knit with Pelehonuamea. Pele, the fire goddess. Her home is in the Halema’uma’u Crater in the Kilauea Caldera. I was afraid that we wouldn’t see the volcano at all; it was rainy and misty when we arrived. We were encouraged by occasional glimpses that afternoon.

I lost this game of yarn chicken, and I didn’t even care. The view was worth it! We booked just one night at the Volcano House, because we’ve visited the volcano several times, but never at night. (Previous visits here and here, if you like scenery.)

The clouds eventually cleared, and we watched the quarter moon set over Kilauea.

The morning glow just before dawn was stunningly beautiful, but hard to photograph. Don’t try to focus on the glow; it’s vapor.

Morning brought more rain, and a double rainbow.

The Meditation Room at the Volcano House was a great place to knit!

Ripping and re-knitting. I want this piece to be knittable with 1 skein each of 3 colors, not 1.2 skeins. Plotting and planning.

How’s your knitting? Where’s the most unusual place you’ve knit?I know I said I don’t gift knit, but I have one tiny thing to finish before Christmas. Onward!

2 Comments

Posted in Knit, travel

Tagged halema'uma'u, kilauea, pele, volcano

Gift knitting deadline looming near

Posted on December 19, 2015 | 2 comments

Are you still trying to knock out last minute gifts for Christmas? (It’s too late for Hanukkah this year; all the candles have been lit.)

Solstice? That’s even sooner than Christmas!

I don’t do deadline gift knitting; I don’t like the pressure. But I’m shopping through my ever-growing stash of knitted design samples for some very nice gifts.

If you’re the kind of knitter who thrives on holiday gift knitting, don’t forget about the Indie Design Gift Along. You can win prizes for participating, which is a bonus on top of getting your gift knitting done. The GAL/KAL/CAL runs through the end of the year; check out the action on Ravelry.

And here’s a very cute “T’was the Knit Night Before Christmas” to keep you amused…

2 Comments

Posted in KAL, ravelry

Tagged gal2015, Indie Design Gift-A-Long

Beads and Bead Aid giveaway, twinleafKAL2016

Posted on December 18, 2015 | Comments Off

Have you signed up for the Twin Leaf Crescent KAL? Dyer Melanie Dilworth of Black Trillium Fibres tells you how in this post.

The KAL begins January 1, 2016, and runs through March. But we want the fun to begin earlier than that, so join us in the Black Trillium Fibres group on Ravelry for discussion and fun.

We’ll be giving away beads from Fire Mountain Gems to two lucky participants, and a set of Bead Aids to three lucky participants before the knitting begins. What color yarn and beads do you want to knit with? I generally stick with clear beads, but if contrast is your thing, go for it!

Special thanks to Sarah Lajoie, the maker of Bead Aids, for donating these for the giveaway. They make beading so much easier.

I’ll be knitting my Twin Leaf Crescent in Mallow, which is shades of mauvey-pink. I guess I should say I’ll be re-knitting it. I’ll be ripping out my original prototype so I can make it perfect.

We had fun comparing these at knit nite last week. The gauge on this was too loose, I had a lot more decreasing in the lace section which made it narrower at the top than I envisioned (not enough wrap around), and the lovely top edging wouldn’t stand up. But I wasn’t ready to frog it all until I knew I had a better version. Melanie was kind enough to send me the Periwinkle gradient so I could work things out. Now I’m happy, and I can frog and re-knit the first one.

So join the KAL and knit along with me in January. It’s selfish knitting month. Or if you’re feeling unselfish, give the yarn/pattern combo as a gift to a very good knitting friend. Everybody wins! Details on the KAL are on Ravelry in the Black Trillium Fibres group. Sign up by December 22 to be in the beads and Bead Aid drawing. Are you dreaming of colors? Go!

Comments Off on Beads and Bead Aid giveaway, twinleafKAL2016

Posted in beading, giveaways, KAL, Knit

Tagged Bead Aids, black trillium fibres, twinleafKAL2016

Twin Leaf Crescent KAL: Sign up now!

Posted on December 8, 2015 | 5 comments

Introducing….my new Twin Leaf Crescent Shawl.

I designed this for Black Trillium Fibre Studio’s Q1 2016 Knit Along. It’s knit with Melanie’s gorgeous Lilt Sock gradient yarn, 85% Superwash Merino, 15% Mulberry silk. This yarn is heavenly to knit with, and the drape and hand of the knitted fabric is amazing. Beads are optional, but highly recommended, for additional drape and sparkle.

This shawl is knit in the periwinkle colorway, five gradient shades of the loveliest blue-purple. The gradient kit is 165g, 675 yards, which makes a lovely large shawl that you can get cozy in. You’ll want to check out all the available colors; I had a hard time choosing.

The leaves on the lower edge…

are echoed at the top of the shawl. A ribbon of shell lace is set off by a garter stitch frame.

The pattern is available exclusively through Black Trillium Fibres for the KAL that runs from January 1 to March 31, 2016. Check out the Ravelry page for info on the KAL, or the Black Trillium Fibres page for more info on ordering the yarn and pattern. Fun and prizes await. Treat yourself in the new year!

5 Comments

Posted in KAL, Knit, pattern design, yarn

Tagged black trillium, black trillium fibre studio, gradient yarn, kal, twin leaf crescent, twinleafKAL2016