tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37655233693582734352024-03-13T03:56:03.311+01:00Alice Twain KnitsRamblings about knitting (mostly) from Italy.Alice Twainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406741029444422912noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765523369358273435.post-13191936167656659912012-09-19T17:31:00.001+02:002012-09-19T17:31:46.671+02:00Cambio casaSto cambiando casa, non so se chiuderò ATKnits ma nel frattempo si stanno preparando piccole-grandi cose e ho aperto una "sede" nuova. Oltre che su <a href="http://maglia-uncinetto.it/">Maglia-Uncinetto.it</a>, nei prossimi mesi mi troverete su <a href="http://ferricorti.wordpress.com/">Ai ferri corti</a>, il blog del mio nuovo progetto (cartaceo).Alice Twainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406741029444422912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765523369358273435.post-69197994221397320492012-05-28T17:27:00.001+02:002012-05-28T17:27:42.332+02:00Supereasy accessories<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLYpffvtioTx7r7MT20JiRDzdLgk2HdL2wNKL7LYKm8FIpjYQ3ETZX7kAPf00C7l5bAEAFrREzUyahly4BhC4BJ0qDpvj2M7MQ5yt2ZeB080pMl5OKp763pJHrkww2xzBlf-v13J_fCg/s1600/Guantini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLYpffvtioTx7r7MT20JiRDzdLgk2HdL2wNKL7LYKm8FIpjYQ3ETZX7kAPf00C7l5bAEAFrREzUyahly4BhC4BJ0qDpvj2M7MQ5yt2ZeB080pMl5OKp763pJHrkww2xzBlf-v13J_fCg/s400/Guantini.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rib and roll fingerless mittens</td></tr>
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I am currently working on a handful of supereasy accessories, which will be on sale probably in a few weeks. The issue with these accessories is that they are geared to Italian mainstream knitters, which forces me to simplify trying not to idiotify the patterns. With one exception they will be beginners' patterns, using only knit and purl stitches and very basic shapes. To make these patterns a bit more interesting I am uysing stitch patterns from the Guernsey tradition, which make everything look nicer and more visually interesting but require no special skill, only a bit of attention at what you are doing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWf3nkQi9MZ_9aPSEFS6MNsBG5fPgu9eRdMfxUSY_TsluZomlVMTKQsVM6OzIpkqn1kxLPZicJVaPqrUoa4xHidy22hD82ShGz1q8Hhh6LLPF2HGYkCKBjQuvdliwwgznPWxje39A-oLo/s1600/Anello.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWf3nkQi9MZ_9aPSEFS6MNsBG5fPgu9eRdMfxUSY_TsluZomlVMTKQsVM6OzIpkqn1kxLPZicJVaPqrUoa4xHidy22hD82ShGz1q8Hhh6LLPF2HGYkCKBjQuvdliwwgznPWxje39A-oLo/s320/Anello.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Infinity scarf knitted a a strip and sewn</td></tr>
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Designing this kind of stuff is a bit difficult for the very reason that you need to get nice results from a very limited range of tecniques. Not only cables or lace may be offlimits, but also short rows, directional decreases and other shaping is beyond the graspo of some of the knitters these patterns are aimed at. It's elating and depressing at the same time. Such limited resources make one strain to devise something that looks cute (or at least decent) once worn, is attractive to the eye but at the same time will not bore you to death in 15 seconds. Not fun, but oddly fascinating.Alice Twainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406741029444422912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765523369358273435.post-61449246754984481202012-05-08T13:18:00.000+02:002012-05-08T13:18:18.624+02:00La maglia d'estate: un corso per lavorare il cotoneIl 12 maggio si terrà il mio laboratorio "La maglia d'estate. Come lavorare al meglio il cotone e i filati estivi". Il corso si terrà a partire dalle 10, presso la KnitHouse Unfilodi (www.unfilodi.com) di Carate Brianza e fino al pomeriggio, in una sola giornata.<br /><br />- Quali ferri per il cotone.<br />- Tecniche di base per la lavorazione del cotone: il problema della tensione regolare.<br />- Il pizzo e il cotone, punti semplici e tecniche di bloccaggio.<br />- Le trecce e il cotone, come realizzare intrecci di bell'aspetto con filati poco elastici.<br />- Come ottenere un drape ottimale con un filato relativamente rigido.<br /><br />Il corso prevederà come materiale un gomitolo a testa di filato Paris di Dröps (compreso nel costo del corso).<br />Le corsiste dovranno portare dei ferri (tradizionali o circolari a scelta) da 5 mm, a cui agguingere un ferro o una punta per i circolari intercambiabili da 4,5 o 4 mm e il ferretto supplementare per le trecce. Per chi non ne fosse in possesso potrà acquistarli in Knit-House.<br />Per il corso è necessario avere una buona competenza nel lavoro a maglia per quanto riguarda i punti base (dritto, rovescio e coste) e sulle diminuzioni (2 dritti assieme e accavallata o PPL) per la parte sul pizzo.<br /><br />Il costo del corso che dura tutta la giornata di sabato con due pause ristoro offerte da Unfilodi è di 20 euro.<br />Per ulteriori informazioni visitate il sito di Unfilodi. per ragguingere Carate Brianza da Milano è possibile recarsi presso il capolinea di Sesto FS della linea 1 della metropolitana e lì prendere l'autobus per Carate (stallo Z221). La fermata Bianchi Ospedale (la prima di Carate) è a circa 200 metri dalla KnitHouse.Alice Twainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406741029444422912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765523369358273435.post-65369060951588962092012-04-17T20:10:00.001+02:002012-04-17T20:11:02.548+02:00Socks and more socks<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBW9gaS0MW-j2Rsbn8EgcTMFj6qLRhiMyACMOnVOyvlNvnMQfgbll-Jo96LjqL2TY1uhZ1eo6YyX53m8clWpA6uS3y0H1FYpMlo85R6ViVVKhF8Vj4TQRWDkbss2woaWCvhJ3pHwHXS5g/s1600/Paradox_medium2%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBW9gaS0MW-j2Rsbn8EgcTMFj6qLRhiMyACMOnVOyvlNvnMQfgbll-Jo96LjqL2TY1uhZ1eo6YyX53m8clWpA6uS3y0H1FYpMlo85R6ViVVKhF8Vj4TQRWDkbss2woaWCvhJ3pHwHXS5g/s400/Paradox_medium2%5B1%5D.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">paradox Socks, photo ©EFN
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These past few days have been sock-filled. First came the <a href="http://www.maglia-uncinetto.it/2012/schema-calzini-a-coste-facili/">easy ribbed socks</a> that I have published in Italian only on Maglia-Uncinetto.it, a supereasy pattern that I do not aim to translate. Then came the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/paradox-socks">Paradox Socks</a>, for the moment being only in English (but I will translate them a little later on to Italian) that went on sale as a part of the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/efns-kalendar">European Fiber Network KALendar</a>. Hope you like them!Alice Twainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406741029444422912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765523369358273435.post-24985676443111864492012-04-10T11:57:00.001+02:002012-04-10T12:55:36.440+02:00Finished and worn<div>
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It got so freezing cold that I decided to wear the new vest right away. It's knitted at 3 sts to the inch in pure wool, so it should keep me warm enough. For the rest it's a basic top-down raglan in stockinette with YO increases, thin garter borders and some waist shaping. With a bit of leftovers I made an I-cord to lace the front decoratively. Nothing fancy but warm.</div>
</div>Alice Twainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406741029444422912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765523369358273435.post-82660956382922051052012-04-06T10:35:00.001+02:002012-04-06T13:34:56.610+02:00A vest is (almost) born<div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vjgK8w8KHEOWQeSFXffqQEwJBCKtdtuMndISLdzyLESmc8U8Rp9MGuQ51LnZ1G8kTyfBU5eLhbkI9NpnndVl0kouXTsPXtFxCzjYAGV-U0KMDU4vcYXN2jvuGmbOoO28SULO54Dd4S4/" /></div>
Some knitting of my own that I can share, at last. This is a top-down raglan vest knitted on 6.5 (10 1/2) needles. Uberfast, all stockinette with garter borders. It took me lots of pondering to decide a way to make it look lighter, since the wool is rather bulky, and ended up doing all shaping with YOs. Decreases included. More about it once it's done.<br />
<br /></div>Alice Twainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406741029444422912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765523369358273435.post-37921359865679325672012-03-07T19:42:00.003+01:002012-03-07T19:42:58.857+01:00Diamond Border Shawl, the English version<br />
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/badges/redirect?p=scialle-con-bordo-a-rombi-diamond-border-shawl" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignright" height="28" src="http://api.ravelry.com/badges/projects?p=scialle-con-bordo-a-rombi-diamond-border-shawl&t=.gif" width="114" /></a><i>This shawl is knitted top-down </i><i>with 4 increases on each RS row. The central part of the shawl is worked in stockimette stitch for maximum warmth and easyness, while the edge is woorked in a simple lace stitch that creartes large diamonds.</i><br />
<i>The original shawl was knittied with three balls of a nondescript cheap merino stash yarn from a market stall, a fingering chainette witha delicately <a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/heathered">heathered</a>
coloring and a velvety feel, which unfortunately didn't block well. To work the shawl you will need about 600 meters or 660 yards of fingering or sock yarn in a single color or in two colors (at least 400 meters/440 yards in one color and 200 meters/220 yards in the other). If you have more yarn you can make the shawl bigger by widening the lace border by working more repetitions of the <b>A chart</b>.</i><br />
<i>Pay attention to the way you work the fist stitch in every row: it muust be kitted, not slipped, to grant maximum elasticity to the shawl and an easy blocking.</i><br />
Continue reading the post for the pattern.<br />
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<b>Diamond Border Shawl — ©Alice Twain</b></div>
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<b>Materials</b></div>
<ul>
<li>Pure wool (or a wool-alpaca or wool-silk blend) fingering or sock yarn,
50 g = 200 m (1,7 oz = 220 y) balls, your chioice 3 balls in the same color or 2 in color A and 1 in color B.</li>
<li>4.5 mm (US size 7) circular needle, at least 80 cm / 32" long.</li>
<li>1 ring stitch marker plus one locking stitch marker or one safety pin.</li>
<li>Scissors and tapestry needle.</li>
</ul>
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<b>Tension</b>: Before blocking: 21 m = 10 cm / 4" in st st. After blocking: 17,5 m = 10 cm / 4". Tension is nogt essenztial for this project.<br />
<b>Dimensions</b> after blocking: approx <b></b>170 cm / 67" wide and e 29" 1/2 long.<b> </b><br />
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<b>Esecuzione</b><br />
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With Color A c.o. 2 sts with your favorite method. Work these two sts in garter sttich (k all rows), making sure you are knitting the first st too, for 8 rows (4 garter ridges).<br />
In the next row work as follows:<br />
<ul>
<li>k 2, rotate the knitting 90° to the right, yo, pick up and knit 1 st from the side edge, yo, pick up and knit 1 st from the edge, yo, pick up and knit 2 sts, yo, pick up and knit 1 st from the edge, yo, rotate the knitting 90° to the right, pick up and knit 2 sts from the cast-on edge. 12 sts on the needle.</li>
</ul>
In the next row work as follows:<br />
<ul>
<li>k2, p4 place marker
(il will mark the center of the shawl and will be in place to the last row), p4, k2.</li>
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<i>Stockinette stitch center of the shawl</i><br />
<ul>
<li><i>Row 1</i> (RS): k2, yo, k to 1 st bef m, yo, k1, slip marker (sm), k1, yo, k to last 2 sts, yo, k2, turn.</li>
<li><i>Row 2</i> (WS): k2, p to last 2 sts, slipping the marker as you come to it, k2, turn.</li>
</ul>
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Repeat these 2 rows for a total of 69 times, Use a locking stitch marker to keep track of the number od rows you have knitted (i moved it up every 20 rows). In each of the yo column there will be 69 + 1 yos.<br />Worl one more row 1(RS). If you are using two colors, break off color A and join color B,
if you are using a single color, ignore this instruction.<br />
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<ul><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.maglia-uncinetto.it/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Scialle-Maroon.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-2097" height="180" src="http://www.maglia-uncinetto.it/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Scialle-Maroon-300x180.jpg" title="Scialle Maroon" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to see the charts in full res</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<li><i>Watch out!</i> The lace stitch diagrams start with a WS row. The first row in these two charts is always a WS purled row. A *.pdf version of the charts is available <a href="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5366001/Schemi%20M-U/Grafico%20Scialle%20Maroon.pdf">here</a>.</li>
</ul>
After joining color B, if you are working with two colors, work chart A twice, then work chart B once. B.o. all sts loosely, preferably with the <a href="http://www.knittinghelp.com/video/play/suspended-bind-off-english">suspendended method</a>.<br />
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<i>Blocking</i></div>
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Block the shawl as usual, hide the yarn tails only after blocking is complete. The blocking procedure will have to be repeated each time you wash the shawl<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.maglia-uncinetto.it/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMAG0628.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2166 " height="240" src="http://www.maglia-uncinetto.it/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMAG0628.jpg" title="IMAG0628" width="480" /></a></div>Alice Twainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406741029444422912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765523369358273435.post-47326558420994954332012-02-17T13:19:00.001+01:002012-02-17T13:19:33.392+01:00My new shawl is out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.maglia-uncinetto.it/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMAG0632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.maglia-uncinetto.it/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMAG0632.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.maglia-uncinetto.it/2012/modello-scialle-con-bordo-a-rombi/">Here is the Italian version</a>, the English version will be available soon.</div>Alice Twainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406741029444422912noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765523369358273435.post-13804884887533130522012-02-02T09:25:00.001+01:002012-02-02T09:25:31.233+01:00Snowing hard<div><p>These are the days I am really happy for having learned to knit socks.</p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9ExkZMB9O16B0dzoL7fa84zU_aygs8hnEvWQmVpw5EIbbj_fOsW75hVMBrPjN69Mi7oicgLOI38wuewuR9TtHmigEo2vIPmvruoqAMceSPCYbCmFvY-Guvd7QcXIAhljkLObIJF4Loo/' /></div>Alice Twainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406741029444422912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765523369358273435.post-7643971517892904752012-02-01T15:57:00.001+01:002012-02-01T15:57:55.304+01:00Get ready<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/typesetter/6801502723/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Scialle a rombi by Isimbardi, on Flickr"><img alt="Scialle a rombi" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7027/6801502723_de129b0722.jpg" width="500" /> It's almost here</a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's almost here</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Alice Twainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406741029444422912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765523369358273435.post-88039115337786185642012-01-25T10:44:00.001+01:002012-01-25T10:44:41.478+01:00Just block it...<div><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmljME6ultoZ9mOqneZLqhaTsRr-Seg5zEiaMvhTxxEQHHXIGE-8oRUeVqENGGUvp8Rn-UNTOQ1EP9nM6m-a9VdqRURbL5aY_ezPkXL8qQWP4APKeKOwqWU1f1TRzscF5E0_89j3SWuw/' /></div>Alice Twainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406741029444422912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765523369358273435.post-48640963128749334702012-01-04T10:25:00.001+01:002012-01-04T10:25:24.216+01:00Cuff anklets<div><p>This is brioche honeycomb in the round. On Lorna's Laces Sock yarn. Cool, eh.</p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qoNXqMyxoXyDSJpnFlhu8PVf01TWkWZA6VOSOJXV_3gB8OrBtaScMNNrg6MrLo0o1npJAm6RrOdzZLT2yt4WkPHDOhA_w681ebBYYyU2Hty1NYGQy6eAe0n9pHlPGkAHjecLWOolKeM/' /></div>Alice Twainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406741029444422912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765523369358273435.post-79611046777096409402012-01-03T08:13:00.001+01:002012-01-03T08:13:28.014+01:00Meetings<div><p>One strand of Kauni meets one strand of KidSilk Haze in Kaffe Fassett colors. Isn't it lovely?</p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0o0hK5-Zcyleo4G-odYucuFhCNOvKxWjo24DldwaZIk476-C_T9hkq-rBZf1yiYpt16_0yR7fcaEzaVEwpE5Owgbbm_HdPh83oGPyR0K0JJOIeXEQHSZORhS9PTT2WGcfdelBQ583IA/' /></div>Alice Twainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406741029444422912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765523369358273435.post-79743857838542384532011-12-27T10:33:00.001+01:002011-12-27T10:33:25.990+01:00Waiting to be blocked<div><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Eo01IOPP6I56Fp6zERn1hK4wfQdNuX5JpHy_iNBGvQC4vwqBeQysSeP76-70Fr9so-GMTMqBe7AXl0QPNE6nFnOsIQlxejlKNwb2hvUF-IpuZ-Nw4oyfbws8kmnAJ6lSrbBaXkPxcZQ/' /></div>Alice Twainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406741029444422912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765523369358273435.post-77146545774527945592011-12-21T15:32:00.000+01:002011-12-21T15:32:27.220+01:00Easy stepsFrom <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShru59loHiLlsVVVMRnAMlsGnrioxVy_-bjAmokIi27IdD4_wq12RlYJSMq8fgiLvU6fWsxk7e07g68Z0tDSgjEb3vYsJ6RWWfm63z4eFUVfeb7RjunEdJaOKbjGDDakfplIVtbGH9U0/s1600/Gold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShru59loHiLlsVVVMRnAMlsGnrioxVy_-bjAmokIi27IdD4_wq12RlYJSMq8fgiLvU6fWsxk7e07g68Z0tDSgjEb3vYsJ6RWWfm63z4eFUVfeb7RjunEdJaOKbjGDDakfplIVtbGH9U0/s1600/Gold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShru59loHiLlsVVVMRnAMlsGnrioxVy_-bjAmokIi27IdD4_wq12RlYJSMq8fgiLvU6fWsxk7e07g68Z0tDSgjEb3vYsJ6RWWfm63z4eFUVfeb7RjunEdJaOKbjGDDakfplIVtbGH9U0/s200/Gold.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo, Unfilodi.com</td></tr>
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to<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIq9voisVDCQbv6New3HV1H64_kQVVw2q3Akd-lz57vvPZWBOHB6kwqkQ_n67hPkgOOYwBSuJIUarQXliqjmBOuK3lRbh34_-2x5Q5Z2DIBr5Uo9LOaiFZF50gKWqPaonB2y1WT0F9jk/s1600/Ruff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIq9voisVDCQbv6New3HV1H64_kQVVw2q3Akd-lz57vvPZWBOHB6kwqkQ_n67hPkgOOYwBSuJIUarQXliqjmBOuK3lRbh34_-2x5Q5Z2DIBr5Uo9LOaiFZF50gKWqPaonB2y1WT0F9jk/s200/Ruff.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
in 3 easy steps (remove tag, pull out yarn tail from the center, start knitting), to<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpC72h1vsvmxmk33d8K3WydlYnIZB4MbWt1gSKretU-dIY5s35fQ2UoFZ-d1jK3gNRWeilKy04Y3knREgzwJ42eSKN3pZ6CeNkzaXJ5Nj1zNodiHG52aEgHNiUNHKD5EtbwWWWG4Adwk/s1600/Center.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpC72h1vsvmxmk33d8K3WydlYnIZB4MbWt1gSKretU-dIY5s35fQ2UoFZ-d1jK3gNRWeilKy04Y3knREgzwJ42eSKN3pZ6CeNkzaXJ5Nj1zNodiHG52aEgHNiUNHKD5EtbwWWWG4Adwk/s200/Center.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">YarnTomato.com</td></tr>
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in 12,653,908 extremely difficult steps.<br />
I do not know why I don't have any problem knitting from international brands' yarn hanks, but when I have to knit from an Italian hank most times as soon as I start knitting the hank goes BOOOM!Alice Twainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406741029444422912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765523369358273435.post-33718503327365466122011-12-21T10:23:00.001+01:002011-12-21T13:19:34.909+01:00Magic...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQTnlRyBRzO3dxFBe4etV_YVWTOV5rPLUBR_ilwcK65tI7zH_6R2PVI8ljftm7uYVSmQoP34200qfHpVVtZ0uyRxR5c_1TwEgb7oA5FKogr4XXxLu1CSA-J3C230Jsp3LYktYU4unIzQ/" /></div>
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I love the magic of blocking. This swatch is knitted in Drops BabyAlpaca Silke on 4 mm needles and is both a test for a review of the yar and a swatch for a shawl I am developing.</div>Alice Twainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406741029444422912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765523369358273435.post-8921481846669257812011-12-10T09:38:00.003+01:002011-12-10T09:38:38.240+01:00I have a brand new knitting notebook<div><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmY6ZHAEeKGBoS69BuS3-wtOVCbbpUXQ35X85_F-bBitgmHD7m7_XFSpZ0jZsf-xPzczHlukLDaPMSbyTWTyL2pKU-FJZ1P3iy2xI0eUEdWQkVWmJpoSWwEpVWdiB0-0-r9CLLgw2IT0/' /></div>Alice Twainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406741029444422912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765523369358273435.post-41796070050520596302011-12-02T17:57:00.001+01:002011-12-02T18:03:36.253+01:00Just let me sleepI should really be typing the handouts for my next lesson at <a href="http://www.unfilodi.com/">Unfilodi</a> on brioche knitting, but I am so sleepy that I write a sentence and have to stop because I feel faint.<i> </i><br />
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<i>Il laboratorio su maglia inglese e maglia brioche si terrà sabato 17 dicembre, quind tra un paio di settimane, da Unfilodi di Carate Brianza. Il costo del laboratorio è di 20 euro e comprende lezione, filato e pranzo a buffet. Per ulteriori informazioni sul laboratorio vi rimando alla <a href="http://www.unfilodi.com/unfilodieventi/13.html">pagina relativa</a> sul sito di Unfilodi.</i>Alice Twainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406741029444422912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765523369358273435.post-52610872061248501782011-11-29T17:01:00.001+01:002011-11-29T17:44:08.297+01:00A really BIG Cowl<i>The Italian version of this cowl was published on <a href="http://www.maglia-uncinetto.it/2011/un-collo-veramente-big/">M-U.it</a>. La versione italiana di questo collo è stata pubblicata su <a href="http://www.maglia-uncinetto.it/2011/un-collo-veramente-big/">M-U.it</a>.</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.maglia-uncinetto.it/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Big2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.maglia-uncinetto.it/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Big2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collo Big a colori</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/badges/redirect?p=collo-big" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://api.ravelry.com/badges/projects?p=collo-big&t=.gif" style="border: medium none;" /></a> Two hanks of Bracco Big, big fat needles and in a little more than one hour here's a perfect and very warm accessory ready t be gifted.<b> </b><br />
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<b>Materials</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Bracco Big, 35% baby alpaca, 28% acrylic, 22% polyammide, 15% merino wool, 100 g = 40 m, 1 hank each coll. 5 (a) e 6 (b)</li>
<li>15 mm 16 cm long circular needle</li>
<li>one 6 mm needle or, if you are using an interchangeable circular kit,a 6 mm pit (optional)</li>
<li>a crochet hook at least size 10 mm (optional)</li>
<li>Scissors</li>
</ul>
<b>Tension</b>: 6 sts = 10 cm in g st<br />
<b>Measures</b>: circ. = 63 cm, height = 22 cm.<br />
<b>Notes</b><br />
In this pattern the short rows are knitted by
simply turning the work with no need to wrap and turn: the garter stitch
and the thickness of the yarn prevent holes and unevenness in texture.<br />
The first stitch in each row should always be knitted, never slipped. This will make the sewing up easier.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://collo%20big%20grigio%20su%20grigio/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-1145 " height="320" src="http://www.maglia-uncinetto.it/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Big1.jpg" title="Big1" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_1145" style="text-align: center;">
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Collo Big grigio su grigio (non cambia molto)</div>
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<b>Esecuzione</b><br />
<br />
C.o. 35 sts with the long tail method and col. a.<br />
Knit 1 row, start working the hort row pattern.<br />
<br />
<i>First short row section</i>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Row 1: k 5, turn.</li>
<li>Row 2 and all even rows: k all sts.</li>
<li>Row 3: k 10, turn..</li>
<li>Row 5: k 5, turn..</li>
</ul>
Continue knitting 5 sts more on each odd row until you will be knitting 30 sts.<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i><i>C</i></i><i>entral section</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
Turn and knit all sts, then knit 2 rows from end to end.<br />
Join col. b, k 2 rows with col. b, k 2 more rows with col. a and cut leaving a 30 cm tail. Continue working with col b for 3 rows.<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>Second short row section</i>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Row 1: k 30, turn.</li>
<li>Row 2 and all even rows: k all sts.<br />
</li>
<li>Row 3: k 25, turn..</li>
<li>Row 5: k 20, turn..</li>
</ul>
Continue knitting 5 sts less on each odd row until you will be knitting 5 sts only.<br />
<br />
<i>Final border</i><br />
<br />
K 2 rows.<br />
B.o. all sts with EZ's sewn b.o. using your fingers to run the yarn tail through the stitches, if you like you may use a very big crochet hok to hel you sew the stitches. You may also substitute the needle (or just its tip) with a 6 mm needle to make things easier.<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>Finishing</i><br />
<br />
Seam the short sides together still using either your fingers or the crochet hook.<br />
Wash the cowl in warm water and let it dry (veru slowly) on a flat surface.Alice Twainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406741029444422912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765523369358273435.post-52593211990415017532011-11-25T13:00:00.000+01:002011-11-25T13:00:06.243+01:00A loud POPOften enough the foreign knitters think that since so many gorgeous yarns are produced in italy, this country must be a sort of Mecca of good knitting. Sometimes I wonder how can be people who knit, out there, when the best instructions that Italian books can give about knitting are like this example.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8akuzyyUD4ZgpVEePTLtC80GTX3sAr66wGDCZtuESbqori_TBbpnAe7OjIVJYd4Xk10qQxGx3irNf44snThQxX_gIrUrtGTtofJrq4Wb4t9ljbVtq84WyMTVaWHpK1iyQU0fsmYF167k/s1600/Circlare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8akuzyyUD4ZgpVEePTLtC80GTX3sAr66wGDCZtuESbqori_TBbpnAe7OjIVJYd4Xk10qQxGx3irNf44snThQxX_gIrUrtGTtofJrq4Wb4t9ljbVtq84WyMTVaWHpK1iyQU0fsmYF167k/s320/Circlare.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry, guys: I know, this is bad porn</td></tr>
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Yes, the text explains exactly what you seem to understand frm the picture: to cast-on on a circular needle, cast-on on a straight and transfer all the stitches. That's the best circular cast-on you can work according to them. On reading this I heard a loud "POP" and it took me a few moments to understand that it wasm't from some outside sourche: it was my brain popping apart!Alice Twainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406741029444422912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765523369358273435.post-28439055456938316502011-11-21T10:04:00.001+01:002011-11-21T14:49:56.518+01:00Blocking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magic</td></tr>
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<br /></div>Alice Twainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406741029444422912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765523369358273435.post-24719161225891129702011-11-20T11:44:00.001+01:002011-11-21T14:50:08.747+01:00Almost done<div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBn3KQPxSkKgBM8UI7vxdlLCqBP-iKf6NTbELJZZg4cV1d6L-K0BbqVHLWEpEYhe_K1CA9Og40sRrlFUUahEFNWbXYS85Dg6gZcnf7RTi7RSbdk9L5F9xBnUPDwu3Y_pSZ4vu65IM3g58/" /></div>
It only needs blocking.<br />
And tucking in the ends.<br />
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<br /></div>Alice Twainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406741029444422912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765523369358273435.post-16019637209468562382011-11-17T10:30:00.000+01:002011-11-17T10:30:01.861+01:00Penguins are running wild<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/typesetter/6346798085/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Calzino day 1 by Isimbardi, on Flickr"><img alt="Calzino day 1" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6036/6346798085_3e3b2c91cc.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
So it's calzino time!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Alice Twainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406741029444422912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765523369358273435.post-50110000910848764012011-11-15T15:06:00.001+01:002011-11-15T19:10:48.136+01:00Lots of goodies!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/typesetter/6346544613/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Oh... by Isimbardi, on Flickr"><img alt="Oh..." height="200" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6034/6346544613_68658526d0_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The envelopes</td></tr>
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This morning I found several envelopes awaiting me on my desk, all of them from the UK.<br />
There was a used book (part of a fantasy series by Harry Turtledove of which the first three had been translated in italian while the other three were left untranslated. I got the second.hand books through Abebooks), 12 and 15 mm needle tips for my Denise set (I alteady have them for my KnitPro, but the Denise cords support much better the weight involved with bulky and extrabulky knitting so I decided to get these new tips) and a lovely spindle from <a href="http://perfectweatherforspinningandknitting.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Deborah Gray</a>.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/typesetter/6346799139/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Oooh! by Isimbardi, on Flickr"><img alt="Oooh!" height="320" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6049/6346799139_721a69f396.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Books, needle tips and that lovely spindle</td></tr>
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It's one of her <a href="http://perfectweatherforspinningandknitting.blogspot.com/2011/09/gorgeous-new-spindles.html" target="_blank">Deluxe Spindles</a>, individually turned by artisan Murray Dunan in <a href="http://maps.google.it/maps?q=Auchterarder&ll=56.31349,-3.707886&spn=1.456408,2.062683&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&fb=1&gl=it&hq=Auchterarder&cid=0,0,10497511736769279635&t=h&z=9&vpsrc=6&iwloc=A" target="_blank">Auchterarder</a>, not very far north of Edinburgh. The spindle is made for bottom whorl spinning and sports an elegant thistle head finish on the shaft to anchor the yarn with a half-hitch for spinning bottom-whorl (thistle is Scottish national flower, which always makes me think about inviting some Scottish people to a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagna_c%C3%A0uda" target="_blank">bagna cauda</a> dinner with lots of cardi gobbi stalks to dip in the garlic, oil and anchovy sauce). I requested a small personalization and Mr Dunan fixed a hook on the shorter end of the shaft for top-whorl spinning, since I am pretty good at using the half-hitch on the longer end of the shaft, but I suck at top-whorl half-hitching. Mr Dunan then offered me an extra treat by making my own spindle a very special one with a wonderfully patterned whorl made ith some special wood. And I love it. Really! I mean, check out how beautiful it is!<br />
And, yes, it came padded in lots of wool...Alice Twainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406741029444422912noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765523369358273435.post-19269396800841365212011-11-12T21:14:00.001+01:002011-11-12T21:14:25.855+01:00Good evening<div><p>As Berlusconi was finally quitting I was happily and quickly purling on the stockinette section of this wool and silk shawl.</p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWyBFSU_C0p77AEZ_0jq8K1SNRc6RK_vjN53mEtOO6kpDBPoZPIDK4Sio3z1VQrzEZskqJPC4gpJ5sX3mB-4RimIK4EfPaqe0qfWco-a6_YlgFI_a7tcisrDifqauC78v4lyRANNZMdA/' /></div>Alice Twainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13406741029444422912noreply@blogger.com1