Finished Object: Karner Wrap

Talk about a long time coming:

The Karner Wrap is, regrettably, not as long as I'd hoped it would be though I used 99g of the 100g ball. And it's not like I had an iota of impulse to keep going. That skein was ENDLESS, like, way more endless (and less enjoyable) than those mystery glasses of wine you sometimes get that seem never to diminish in volume despite continuous sipping.

It's an airy, cotton/bamboo blend. The colour is spectacular (graphite meets indigo). It'll be warm (but not wintery) through all seasons. I'm sure it will get comments just by virtue of its unique textile. But there is no way I will knit with Abrazos again. Dental floss. It ain't my thing.

Bust the Stash: Finished Object 10 - Ribbed Hat 2 (And a Glimpse at the Karner Wrap, In Process)

Here's the latest Bust the Stash finished object - another Ribbed Hat:

In truth, though I have 4 more of these planned, I thought I'd have to throw myself off a bridge from boredom if I tried to make another right away. It's a fine little project but, really, I'm only making these hats to get rid of yarn ends. And they're too fussy in the crown decrease section to be an entirely enjoyable knit.

I was feeling trapped by the hats until the following thing occurred to me:

My fave part of knitting is, by far, the planning. The knitting is simply the execution of the vision, which is probably why I'm mainly a "monogamous knitter" (one who staunchly sticks to one project at a time). But, when you've actually done 25 project's worth of planning, and everything's there and cataloged (including the queue that reminds you of your knitting responsibilities to achieve the end goal), why not switch it up? It's not like I'm going to forget something. That yarn will still be there, assigned to that project. I feel this process has provided me with a bit of latitude to explore other planned projects that still need to be done.

Which is why I've returned to the Karner Wrap, my second-longest, in-process project (after the Knitted Boucle Jacket, recently discussed - and, as yet, uncompleted). I decided, since it's already on the freakin' needles, and it's not going to finish itself, that I might want to give it another go. It's simple stockinette (with ribbed edges) but the yarn makes it a mighty complicated knit.

Karner Wrap

I bought this yarn with Sara and Andrea in June of 2014. I cast on the included "beginner level" scarf pattern immediately, enthralled by the potential of the finished result. I had enthusiasm for the first couple of months, whereupon the endless, endless monotony of knitting with dental floss-weight conspired to turn this project into "train knitting". Note: I don't go on long train trips so often that 1000 yards of dental floss has yet been utilized.

Look, if the sample is anything to go by - or my progress to date - this project is going to be amazing when it's done. The yarn is irregularly slubbed, of different gauges. The colour is gorgeous. The bamboo / cotton fabric produced is truly textile art (and as wacky as textile art tends to be - but with more cool factor than it usually has). Plus, it'll be totally useful and wearable through all seasons.

But I don't recommend that you go out and knit this thing. It's a fucking commitment. I just returned to it with gusto and I can still only get through a couple of grams in a sitting (and maybe 6 grams a day over hours of concentrated knitting). The unused ball weighs 100g. Furthermore, the yarn is plied. Yeah, it's thinner than cooking string and it's freakin' plied. That means that ones sharp pointed needles (and you do need sharp to get through the loops) inevitably strike between the plies, semi-regularly, and you end up having to carefully unknit the stitch to avoid split yarn (which when your yarn is dental floss can result in a mere hair of yarn holding the stitch to the needle). Then there's the ease with which you can knit into the stitch below the one you're going for, which leaves what looks like a hole. Or the accidental knitting of 2 stitches next to each other (that lump together) - since the yarn is of many different thicknesses, it's impossible to tell what's going on at any given time. Of course, one can drop a stitch and not realize it for 20 rows because the texture of the yarn is such that the stitch holds itself in place, until it doesn't.

My point is that any beginner would lose her mind knitting this and even an intermediate or advanced knitter can't take it on with any facility because the yarn has special needs.

I don't know that the means will justify the ends, but I'll keep you posted. And I am seriously considering going back to finish that Boucle Jacket next. I know I say this occasionally, but I cannot believe that I have 80 per cent of a gorgeous wool jacket just sitting there ready to be hand seamed and machine "buttonholed".

The joy of not buying new yarn is that you really get to experience the yarn you already have. And let's face it, all of that yarn was new at some point.

Anyone made the Karner Wrap? Would you ever make it again? Do you like the fabric produced by Abrazos? Let's talk!

Not Coming Up Rosie

So the latest attempt at the Rosie Top was not a success. Mind you, I did have the meaningful opportunity to alter the pattern yet again! (Yeah, you can infer sarcasm.) It's going into the magic cupboard, where it will stay till after I get back from hols. There's only so much masochism one girl can take.

What went wrong? Well, though the last muslin (made of voile with very little mechanical stretch) fit well (once I altered it), the much more mechanically stretchy silk crepe version was somehow too small. As for next-wave alterations: I've increased the full bust volume at the side bodice, yet again, given myself another inch in the waist (it was prudent if not strictly necessary) and increased the peplum hem by 2 inches. I don't know what's up with that hem but I cannot seem to get it right.

I'm really convinced that next version will be the one that works, but I've said that 6 times now and, frankly, I don't have enough weekends in a row to keep at this thing.

I can't tell you how much I want to go out and spend a fortune on a silk crepe top right now, just to subvert the misery of yet another failure. But I'm on a tight budget and, something tells me, there will be a bit of Euro-retail therapy when I get to Barcelona.

In the meanwhile, my only recourse is to knit.

Here's the Karner Wrap pattern which I'm making with the Americo Abrazos (45% cotton and 55% bamboo):

This pattern comes with the Americo Abrazos yarn purchase. There's no way to buy it separately.

Let me say that this yarn is quite a trip. It's not quite kitchen string but it sure is moving in that direction. Having said this, the fabric it creates is appealing. It's like a burnout, lace effect. And the colour is superb. That photo doesn't do it justice.

Here's another of the yarn:

Even that photo isn't true-to-shade, it makes the yarn look much more grey (and less blue) than it actually is in real life.

Anyway, the Abrazos is, without a doubt, the thinnest yarn I've ever seen. It's like knitting with double-weight sewing thread. Occasionally the nubby part of the yarn comes to the fore and then it goes from thread-weight to sport-weight (I estimate). I'm really glad that my first foray with this yarn is making a stockinette rectangle with some rib at the edges. It's quite easy, despite careful attention, to drop stitches - particularly at the edges. If you're a loose knitter, like me, well - be that much more careful. I've had an issue already that I've opted to fix on the fly. Otherwise I'll be knitting this till the end of all time. As it is, I'm going to be knitting the 1028 yards for quite a while. I put in 2 hours last night and got a mere 20 rows deep. It doesn't make a dent in the skein. That's how skinny this yarn is.

Gotta say, it's perfect train knitting. No pattern required, no fitting necessary and, although the loops are loose (and that's after I went down a needle size!?) purling and knitting seem to be of similar complexity. It's not like the purl rows are slippery. The tension, which is lacy and weird, does seem consistent - even as it's unlike any I've knit before.

After the Aisance, still blocking BTW - Lord that thing absorbed a lot of water! - I need something binary.

I'm intrigued to know if I will learn to love knitting with this fiber or if I'll find it a necessary evil. I would never have bought the pattern if I hadn't seen how gorgeous and unusual the finished garment looks in real life. I do realize that this foray is a hop, skip and jump from linen (the yarn du jour, it would appear), but it in no way motivates me to move further in the direction of wiry, stringy yarn.

Today's questions: What do you think of linen? Or cotton? Or cotton-bamboo blends? Have you used the Abrazos or any other Americo yarns? What's your perspective? Oh, and while we're at it, what's the highest number of muslins you've ever made for one garment? Did you prevail in the end? Is that sucker still hiding out in your closet behind the tennis racket? Let's talk!

Summer Crafting: The High-Level Plan

I could probably craft from now till October and not finish all of my imaginary projects. Alas, one's got to make choices - even with the leisure activities - so I've put together a list of sewing and knitting to take me from here till summer's end. 

Sewing

Hepworth Dress (Sinbad and Sailor):  

OK, this one was NOT on my list until last weekend. But, having made Allison's dress, and finding that the fit was unintentionally close to my dimensions, I cannot resist giving it a go. It helps that I've got a fabric I believe will work very well. I'm going to lead with this garment since I've just tackled a version and it's fresh in my memory. Also, it's very useful for summer weather. With a cropped cardigan, it's perfect for work or weekends.

Fabric:

Rayon Challis with 10% crosswise stretch from Fabrications Online

Rosie Top (StyleArc): 

Well, you know this one's been in play for quite a while. I ran out of fabric, then I had to make the "bridesmaid dress" (if we can call it that)... But it's time to return to this "reverse princess seam" top. (Note how the lines are convex rather than concave to the centre front of the top.)

I'm at the next muslin moment but, if this top fails again, I may well put it away for the summer. I'm not interested in arguing with my creative endeavours. Five muslins is enough, IMO.

Fabric:

Silk Crepe with 15% crosswise stretch from Fabrications Online

Originally, my intention was to muslin use the rayon crepe (above), and I likely still will. However, my intended fabric is a beautiful silk crepe, reminiscent of the one gifted to me by S, my fitting friend. Be assured, I will not cut into this until I'm confident about the garment fit.

Rachel Comey Pants - V1323 (VoguePatterns): 

These are the pants I've been dared to make by Sara. In truth, I like them, so I'm game. Really, who doesn't like elastic waistbands when they're used intentionally, and as a design feature. My hope is that the fitting isn't too tricky given that I've done some work on crotch curves with other stretch woven pants patterns.

Fabric: 

Royal Blue Stretch Broadcloth with 50% crosswise stretch

This broadcloth has a lot of stretch, though it is a woven (so it's suitable for these pants). As it happens, I am not overly thrilled with the weight of the fabric, or the quality. But I think it will work well for pants that need a very light hand.

Leather Tote (Making Leather Bags Craftsy Course): 

Well, I've talked this one up a lot. Now I've just got to make the thing! All of my notions, materials and gizmos are amassed. I'm truly excited to use my new roller foot. It's like Lego!

Materials:

Read more about these materials here...

Leather Skirt (from TNT high-waisted pencil skirt V8640): 

I've decided to cut my teeth on leather (as it were) with the bag (above). But once that's done, my goal is to make a sexy leather skirt. What better pattern to use than my standard high-waisted pencil? No need to reinvent the wheel...

Materials:

Read more about this lambskin from King Textiles in the Garment District

This absurdly gorgeous leather has a LOT of give because it is very soft lambskin. I do intend to line the skirt (at least partially) but that adds another element of complexity.

And if there's time...
 

My bonus pattern is the compelling Nettie body suit, which is SO my scene:

I seem to be very into the electric blues, lately, because this is the (long-loved) stash fabric I would likely use:

Jewel Blue modal (really, it's more purple than blue...) from Fabric Mart (I think)

Knitting

Aisance Cardigan (Kristen Johnstone): 

As you know, I'm currently working on this cardigan, a pattern I hope to complete before the end of June. As such, I'm including it in the Summer Crafting category. I figure, it spans the gap between spring and summer - and it is a substantial project.

Yarn:  

Shibui Staccato in Caffeine

Karner Wrap (Americo Original Design Team): July will be a wildcard month for me, from a crafting perspective, due to some interesting adventures I'm not at liberty to discuss (yet). Nonetheless, I do hope to have this stockinette shawl to keep my hands busy. Apparently it takes a very long time since it uses 1000 yards of laceweight yarn... Really, the pattern is not exciting. Mind you, the yarn is spectacular…

Yarn: 

Americo Original Abrazos Lace in Blue Ink from the Americo store in TO (the only one)

I never realized what a hub of amazing knitting options Toronto happens to be. Really, when it comes to yarn and leather, we have it going on! Americo, a store I've gone into on a few occasions, has never called to me the way it did on a recent visit. In the past, textured fibers have been a turn-off - as has cotton (a prevalent fiber in Americo yarns).  But I've lived to regret saying never, craft-wise, on a variety of occasions. Let's call this one of them.

See that amazing texture built into the yarn? It creates a distressed, almost burnout effect. And the colour is special - moody grey with blue subnotes. As you know, cotton is my least favourite knitting material on the planet (other than linen), but somehow, this cotton/bamboo blend has a beautiful drape (without being limp). It also has a nice feel – it’s not stringy.

And if there's time...

I'm utterly intrigued by this (small) garment, even if it is lacework:

Die Cut Vest by Sara Morris from Knit.Wear (the only knitting mag consistently worth buying, IMO)

It calls for a linen. That's not happening. I hate linen. It's like knitting with kitchen string. So who knows what I'd use instead? 

The Proviso
 

Needless to say, I reserve the right to change my mind. I mean, it's my freakin' hobby. In fact, since first I envisioned this list (a month ago), I've added to it, moved stuff around and removed the outliers. And who can say? I may decide that I don't feel like working indoors if the weather actually one day goes summery. 

Today's questions: Do you make a list of summer crafting projects? If yes, do you stick to it? And, while I'm asking... What do you think of my chosen projects? Which of these is your fave? Let's talk!