Some of you may have seen most of these photos, but I decided to present them here as a little photo essay anyway. This scarf was made for my friend and former coworker, Sue, as a parting gift. She was laid off from the company and has returned to Winnipeg Manitoba after securing a position out there. I will miss her humour, insights, level-headedness and company.
The fibre is 80/20 merino/silk top, dyed in the "Sunflower" colourway by Clover Leaf Farms. I bought it at NY Sheep and Wool in October 2009. It, and the finished yarn, is really much more beautiful than my pictures can show.
The fibre was spun on a spindle by Tracy Eichheim at Woolly Designs.
Singles were wound off onto felt balls.
Two balls of singles were wound into a 2 strand plying ball.
And then plying twist was imposed.
I use a larger, heavier spindle for plying than for spinning singles. You can see them both in this photo.
Yarn was wound off the plying spindle into skeins. They went for a soak in a bathtub of hot water, and were laid flat to dry. Second picture shows a penny, for scale.
By this point, Sue had interviewed for the job in Winnipeg, and, as she was a dead-ringer for the position, I knew I was on a deadline. After some shilly-shallying, I chose to knit the scarf using Kieran Foley's "Blackbird" pattern. Except, in adding a couple of extra pattern repeats, I cast-on too many stitches, and ended up with an extra 1/2 pattern repeat. I considered restarting, but there were 600- and-some-odd stitches and I was on a deadline. So I improvised the shaping and ended up with a semi-circle rather than a triangle. You'd never know that from this picture, though.
And I omitted the beads, because I don't do beads in knitting.
Lace looks like nothing until it's dressed out.
And then it is beautiful.
Fibre is 80/20 Merino/silk top from Clover Leaf Farms in "Sunflower" colourway, spun to 2-ply laceweight.
Pattern is "Blackbird" by Kieran Foley. I would absolutely work this design again, and perhaps even as a triangle as written. It is well worth working to see how the shapings are contained within the design; very clever. Only thing is that there are these quadruple increases and decreases that form little beads
that run in 3 bands in the garment. If not worked with particular care to '"staying loose", they can bind the fabric when dressing. Next time -- and there will be a next time -- I'll work these rows with a needle a size or 2 larger.
All in all, very good. The colour looks great on Sue. I took the finished scarf to the Men's Spring Knitting Retreat as part of my Show'n'Tell, and all who looked at it carefully said the photos did not do the colours justice. It's really a lovely piece.
'tis beautiful, Ted. I liked your photo essay.
Posted by: Jeannine Bakriges | June 20, 2010 at 09:53 AM
If it looks better in person it must be a damn fine piece of work because it looks pretty fantastic in photos.
Fabulous. And what a great memory for her of the great colleagues she had.
Posted by: JoVE | June 20, 2010 at 10:13 AM
I've had the pleasure of seeing/touching this lovely piece and, yes, Ted is right: pictures don't do it justice! WOW.
Posted by: John | June 20, 2010 at 10:28 AM
That is absolutely gorgeous!
Posted by: Jeanne | June 20, 2010 at 10:30 AM
This is such a beautiful creation - "lovely" is an understatement.
Posted by: Donna | June 20, 2010 at 12:37 PM
WOW! It's gorgeous, Ted -- I wish I could spindle-spin as beautifully fine and consistent as you do.
Posted by: L.M. Cunningham | June 20, 2010 at 02:59 PM
It's beautiful, Ted. It's wonderful.
Posted by: Jean Miles | June 20, 2010 at 03:07 PM
LOVERLY, ted...and I know sue will appreciate the special gift you made.
Posted by: anne marie in philly | June 20, 2010 at 04:22 PM
This is really gorgeous!!
Posted by: James | June 20, 2010 at 05:52 PM
Yes, it is beautiful in person. Funny though, when I saw it for some reason I was thinking it was knit with singles, not a plied yarn. Duh. Anyway, great pictures, beautiful piece in pics or person.
Posted by: Alan RareSteek | June 21, 2010 at 07:08 AM
In my next life, I want to be you.
Posted by: Diane in Chico | June 21, 2010 at 06:07 PM
Superb, Ted. But I expect no less from you! LOL. I can't get into the plying balls, etc. Is it superior to putting singles on bobbins and plying together (my usual way)? An automatic bobbin winder makes the process very speedy.
Posted by: June | June 21, 2010 at 10:27 PM
That's really magnificent. Loved seeing the plying process--I'd heard about doing it that way, but was a little skeptical until I actually saw it, I guess. :)
Posted by: Laughingrat | June 22, 2010 at 09:17 AM
From Sue, the Scarf Owner. Thank you Ted for your lovely words, and for the most beautiful parting gift ever! The photos are spectacular, but as you and others mention, they cannot do justice to the real thing. The work is so fine and detailed. The crafstpersonship the spinner and you displayed is something truly is a work of art. My scarf/shawl is absolutely beautiful. I will wear it proudly and brag about it forever! Thank you so much. It's truly beautiful. I miss you and your way of interpreting the world. Love and hugs,your friend Sue.
Posted by: Sue Green | June 22, 2010 at 09:58 AM
Well if it is more gorgeous in person, it would likely make me swoon. Lovely!
Posted by: Barb B. | June 23, 2010 at 07:55 AM
I'd love to see notes on your modifications... I vastly prefer 1/2 circles (or close thereto) to triangles....
Posted by: Helen | June 26, 2010 at 04:58 PM
My Mum saw your blog and the photos and agrees that is very beautiful. She said I'm very fortunate to have such a lovely friend! I agree...
Posted by: Sue Green | June 29, 2010 at 10:11 AM
Those beads are called nupps, and are an Estonian bobble stitch.
Posted by: Dai | August 08, 2010 at 05:02 AM
Spectacular color and beautiful knitting.
Lucky Sue!!
Posted by: Sheila Bosworth | August 08, 2010 at 07:51 AM