And it's a wrap

With that title I have to start with this photo of Fiona Ellis This is my favorite wrap right now!  The pattern is in here Two rectangles knit (and beautifully cabled) separately, then grafted together.  This is definitely on my "to knit" list.  The natural V created in the back makes a no slip garment.  Also in this book is a cabled scarf that is perfect for someone just learning about cables.  As the scarf grows you learn more difficult cables.   You can really begin to understand how the cables work (yes I do love cables).  Once you create that scarf you can really move on to any project in the book!
Fantastic day yesterday!  The morning was about cables and morphing cables.  I had it in my head that we would be learning to create patterns, move into cables and then back out again to a different pattern.  I could have done that, but my piece went it's own way.   Fiona started us off by saying CO 39 stitches.  Purl 4, Knit 3 across the row.  Knit 4, Purl 3 across the next row.  Okay now create your own cable pattern.  I don't know if anyone was as terrified as I was, but we all just stared at her when she asked if anyone felt a little nervous.  Then we all got to work.  I was knitting with Lamb's Pride so I got fixated on the purl stitches being a bulky cord traveling across the piece disappearing off the side.  Some people created very symmetrical patterns, some very traditional patterns.  We all had something different from everyone else.  It was really a creative way to approach designing.  Between this class and the design class I now have some exercises I will continue weekly.

The afternoon was dedicated to color.  Specifically using slip stitches in patterns.  We created this sampler of different slip stitch techniques.  My brain was pretty fried by this point so I didn't get any farther, but some ladies played with variations on the theme and/or added more colors into their work.  I love the slip stitch idea.  It is an easy (read non fussy) way to add color into a border or an interesting striping.  This technique adds texture as well (I am a big fan of texture).  Fiona had sample sweaters from this book

where she often used the techniques along with fair isle or striping.  I love how you can use a bit of a bright color in this way to really make a garment pop.  Oh and that muffler on the front?  To die for!!

As this event was hosted by BMFA you had to guess there would be yarn for sale!  I couldn't resist (although I did create a wish list for future reference so I didn't embarass myself).  WuBu in MidSummer night.  The perfect yarn for a light Spring/Summer shrug (I get cold easily).  STR lightweight-Doctors without Borders colorway.  I really have sworn off purchasing any sock yarn outside of club packages so I can use the stash, but I love that $3 of this purchase goes to DWB.  I wanted to help out, honest!  There is a baby arriving soon (to a friend) and the little guy will be cuddling an adorable (and wild) Funky sock monkey(STR heayweight--Count Cluckula and Jade).  I have an idea for a piece that I can't share yet, but this yarn is perfect for it!  Laci--Mossay colorway. This Silk Thread--Malten colorway was the one purchase without an exact pattern idea.  I can see it draping beautifully over my shoulders, but I need a patten.  Anyone have suggestions?

I am adding photos from Saturday to that post so take a look there again.  It is rainy today which is fine with me.  Simple knitting, spinning and surfing are about the only things my brain and body want to do today.  Did I mention that I was moving my mom during this weekend?  It was good to have some physical labor to balance the brain work, but I am fried all the way today!