Joni Mitchell Knits and Crochets!

I bet Joni Mitchell made this dress.  She also sews, or she did when she was younger and not as wealthy as she is now.  What do you think?

Joni Mitchell performing at the Riverboat in Toronto, 1968.

Struggling with Focus!

I'm struggling with focus when it comes to knitting, designing knits, and selling my handknits.  I can't stop starting a project ... I'm currently working on 12 projects (and also have a wide swath of hibernating projects) ... see my ravelry page Cloudheights to see some of my current projects:

Camber - Norah Gaughan

Quoin - Norah Gaughan

Strip Study - Veera Välimäki

I love Norah Gaughan's Spring Collection Norah Gaughan, Vol 14, which has so many creative top-down designs. Besides the pullover, Camber, which I'm making in an Ultra Alpaca color Creamsicle, and Quoin, which I'm making in a Remix color Buttercup, I also have yarn set aside to make the shawl Chock, and the pullover, Azimuth.  I also have a project that I keep at work to knit on my lunch break called Stripe Study.  It's a really fun knit which is going quickly despite the lace weight; I'm using Malabrigo Lace in two colors of navy, light variegated and solid.  So that's three out of my 12 current projects.

As far as designing goes, I do have a handful of ideas I'm working out.  As soon as spring started I had a number of ideas for summer berets and concocted the following hat based on a vintage crochet design.  I call it Down To The Seaside based on a Joni Mitchell lyric from Song To A Seagull.  I used Patons Classic Merino for my first attempt but it turned out to be a bit heavy with two sections of large bobbles and worsted weight wool.  I ended up finding a nice lightweight DK wool/plant fiber blend called CEY Verde Woodlands which I used on my second try.  I used a smaller needle and a smaller bobble, actually a knot, that worked out to be much lighter and more appropriate for a summer tam.

You can find these hats at my Etsy page, Cloud Heights Designs, but as I said, I'm also struggling with my Etsy site.  I need more product but as I get sidelined with wanting to knit what I feel like knitting, I am not thinking about what my shop's focus should be, or what my brand is.  Etsy is holding some workshops which I want to start watching, and I also want to finish reading the book my daughter bought me, Craft, Inc., which is a great tutorial about turning a craft hobby into a business.

Focus is the main ingredient to working toward success and creative fulfillment and also deciding what I really want to do with my time.  It's about doing what I love to do, being creative and creating objects that are of quality design and beautiful to look at and wear.

Here are a couple of more designs I have in the works: A Mesh Top made of organic cotton, and a utilitarian design of a Dust Mask, to help me deal with my allergies while cleaning!

Thanks for looking and reading, Sue

Winter's End Sale at Cloud Heights Designs

Check out my Etsy page for a 50% off sale on all my winter stock:

Etsy Shop: Cloud Heights Designswww.etsy.com/uk/shop/CloudHeightsDesigns

Check out Etsy for more information.  

Cloud Heights Designs Etsy Shop

I have finally created my Etsy site to sell my designs.  I would be so happy if you could visit and check out my wares!  Here are some examples:

You can find my Etsy Store here:  Cloud Heights Designs

Take care, Sue

Kate's Big Scarf

My daughter Kate usually doesn't like things I knit for her.  She went to fashion school, she's picky.  But she misses an old Marc Jacobs scarf she had in college days that was big bulky and long.  She asked me to try and replicate it in grey and then I remembered my White Buffalo stash.

White Buffalo Unspun is a discontinued yarn that is used to make Cochiwan Sweaters.  When I bought this yarn on ebay I also bought an old pattern book to make the sweater.

I finished the back and there it sits in my Hibernation bin.  So I was excited that I had the yarn needed to re-create Kate's long lost scarf.

Here is the progress.  One skein produced 30 ins of scarf, so I will use 3 skeins to finish to 90 ins.

Very easy big scarf on 15 needles:

Cast on 18 sts

Row 1: purl 1, knit 1, repeat to last two sts, purl 2

Row 2: purl 1, knit 1 in row below, repeat to last two sts, purl 2

Repeat row 2 till you get the length you want.  I'm thinking tassels or fringe!  

Take care, Sue (hopefully soon I'll update you on finished projects!! Oy!)

Vintage Vogue Boatneck Pullover

Hi,

I'm making good progress on this project and having a lot of fun.  The yarn is working beautifully and the patterns are so interesting, but not too difficult that I get discouraged.

I've decided not to go too crazy with the modifications.  I am using the cabled ribbing, although I cast on 122 sts instead of the 117 suggested for the largest size.  I also cut out one inch of ribbing, so it's 3 in instead of 4.  Then I increased 8 ins on the last row of ribbing to get to the 130 st count for the body of the sweater.

The only modification to the main part of the sweater I made was the striping.  The directions say to make 16 row stripes but I am doing 8 rows.  To tell you the truth, the photo looks like 8 rows, too, so maybe there was a mistake in the pattern.  16 seems too thick to me.

So I am getting perfect gauge and so far the width is 22" which will fit me with about 2 inches of ease.  My plan is to make drop sleeves 10" deep instead of the set in sleeve.  For now I still have about 10 inches to go before I have to decide.  Here is my progress so far.  I'm loving this!!!

Happy Sailing, Sue

Vintage Vogue Knitting pattern Spring 1984

Hi,

So I've been playing around with another "vintage" pattern from mid-80s from Vogue Knitting magazine.  It still bugs me that the 80s are considered vintage but now that my daughter has turned 30 I guess I should face facts!!  :-)

Here is a summer pullover from Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer 1984.  I've always loved the design of this pattern, and if you look closely at this very fuzzy photo, that's Paulina Porizkova, (probably one of her first modeling jobs).

The design is by veteran, Deborah Newton, who has a new design in the VK Fall issue that just arrived in my mailbox.  She is a genius!!!  The description for the sweater above reports "Stripes and an openwork cable plot out this yare boatneck pullover. Designed by Deborah Newton in Ulltex cotton."  Ulltex is described as a lightweight cotton getting a 22 sts and 34 rows to 4" gauge in stockinette stitch.  Does anyone know what yare means?  Well, Miriam Webster says it is an archaic way to say "set for action."  Sounds like something a pirate would say!!  :-)

So I was at the Knitting Etc. summer sale and they had a pile of Berroco Linsey in solid colors for an amazing $3.50 a skein, so I had to sweep up as much as I could get.  Here are shots from my Ravelry stash page:

This yarn definitely knits up to the gauge suggested in this pattern.  I think though, that I want to update the pattern to a looser fit.  I don't like the tight cabled ribbing at the bottom, so I'm thinking about making a cable i-cord border at the bottom and sleeve edges.  Also, I think I want to loose the stripe, and just do the solid blue with the beige lace inset.  I've been practicing the lace inset and love the way it looks in this yarn:

The cable has an eyelet inset which is pretty and the main lace center is so interesting to knit.  I love the way this is looking.

Other modifications I am thinking about:  picking up stitches on the side of the inset and knitting sideways into a dolman sleeve, much like Norah Gaughan's design in Monhegan from her Vol. 8 summer issue. 

I am also still working on my Dutch Tunic from VK Holiday 1987, but it's still summer, and you know how I keep changing my mind!  :-)


Back to the new Fall issue of Vogue Knitting ... the 360 video is up and OMG the designs are so amazing.  Especially Deborah Newton's tunic, which the picture in the magazine doesn't do justice.  Check it out for yourself and prepare to be wowed!!!

Happy Knitting!!  Sue

Misty Modular Dish Towel

So I am getting ready to post some of my own designs.  In preparation for writing patterns, I am starting with a very simple modular dish towel.  I wanted a longer towel that I could use in the kitchen, and this one does the trick.  It is also a great first pattern for trying modular knitting, which is a technique which joins smaller knitted pieces as you go, so there is no seaming.  I've used this technique many times, especially Iris Schreier's patterns.  I recently made the Elegant Poncho from her book, Modular Knits.  You can see my poncho at my ravelry site: Elegant Poncho.

Here is a link to my free PDF of the pattern: Easy Misty Modular Dish Towel

I will also post the directions here for those who want it.  Enjoy!

This pattern uses easy modular knitting techniques and eyelet borders, including increases, decreases and yarn overs.

Materials:

Yarn: 1 skein Lily Sugar and Cream, 100% Cotton.  96 yd./86 m.  You can use any cotton yarn that gets the same gauge.

Needles: #8 US (5mm)

Gauge:  4.5 sts = 1 inch; 7 rows = 1 inch.

Abbreviations: YO = yarn over; ssk = slip two sts, K2tog through back loop; skp = slip one stitch, knit 1, pass slip st over; K2tog = knit two stitches together; RS= right side; WS= wrong side.

Directions:

Cast on 1 st. 

Start first triangle section:

Row 1 (RS):  K1, YO, K1.

Row 2 (WS): Knit across.

Row 3: K1, YO, K to next to last st, YO, K1.

Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until there are 35 sts.

Next row: K1, *YO, K2tog* till end. 

Next row: Knit across. See first photo at right for progress to this point.

Start modular decreasing:

Row 1: K1, YO, skp, turn.

Row 2: slip first st purlwise, knit to end

Row 3: K1, YO, knit to last row decrease st, skp, turn.

Repeat Row 2 and 3 until all 35 sts have been worked.

Starting with next row (WS), repeat modular decreasing one more time till all 35 sts have been worked.  See second and third photos at right for progress after first modular decrease and second modular decrease.

Start last triangle section:

Row 1: Ssk, YO, *K2tog, YO* till last 4 sts, K2tog, YO, K2tog.

Row 2: Knit across.

Row 3: Ssk, YO, ssk, knit to last 4 sts, K2tog, YO, K2tog.

Repeat  rows 2 and 3 until 7 sts are left. 

Next row: Ssk, YO, slip 1, K2tog, pass slip st over, YO, K2tog. 5 sts.

Next row: Knit across.

Next row: SSK, YO, K3tog

Next row: Slip 1, K2 tog, pass slip st over. Bind off.  Weave in ends. 

© Cloud Heights Designs

Sheep and Wool Festival!

I went to visit my friends Andy and Lyn in Maryland.  Lyn is an awesome knitter and we are buddies on Ravelry ... so she thought a visit to coincide with the Sheep and Wool Festival would be a good idea ... BRILLIANT.  We had so much fun and splurged on some great yarn (and chevre goat cheese!).  Here are some pictures of the festival:

Fair Isle Afghan

Lamb Chops!

Lyn's LYS's booth

Lyn's LYS had a great booth with the designer, Ann Weaver, modeling sweaters and selling her pattern books. Lyn bought the White Whale Vol 1, which had a beautiful white cardigan on the cover.

Color Affection kit from Miss Babs

Ripple Chips with the works!

More Fair Isle

and More Fair Isle - I loved this shop

 I loved the color combinations at the Miss Babs booth for the most popular shawl on Ravelry right now, Color Affection.  I chose a light grey, peach/brown, and dark brick set, and started it as soon as I got home.  I'm really enjoying this knit, although I also bought 6 skeins of Peace Fleece from their booth to start my version of Jared Flood's Inversion.  I really love the look of this sweater.

So we also indulged in a plate of Ripple Chips with the works!  A little bit more jalapenos then I usually go for, but it was an over the top day, so why not.  Lyn's friends were volunteering at the Hospitality Tent so we sat down for a snack and showed off our yarn booty to everyone.

 I have so many pictures of the Fair Isle sweater booth because they were the most amazing masterpieces of knitting I had ever seen.  I've never tried to do a large fair isle project and right now, I don't think I'm sane enough to pull it off!!

Other purchases included some Green Mountain Cotton Comfort in beige and navy blue for the new Interweave Knits pattern, Bethany Wrap, which Lyn bought some yarn for, too.  I think we are going to attempt a KAL, if we get motivated!!  I also bought a ball of Berroco Sox Metallic, and two books, Knitting Brioche by Nancy Marchant, and Lacy Little Knits by Iris Schrier.

It was a fabulous time and I'm still in knitting heaven but, of course, the addition of more beautiful yarns in my stash has put me in a manic starting projects bender for the past week!!  Oh boy, it's fun to be crazy sometimes!!!

Take care!!!  Sue

VK Dutch Tunic Progress

I have just finished 10 inches of the back. Berocco Remix is a beautiful yarn. I think it is perfect for this sweater because of lightness, since, at 28 inches long, this sweater would be VERY heavy with a 100% cotton yarn. Remix also has a flow to it that will make the silhouette drapey and not stiff. I'm really excited about finishing this so I can start wearing it for my spring wardrobe!!

Take care, Sue

January Round-up: What the heck am I knitting?

Here's what I'm knitting right now ...

Vintage Elbaite - From Norah Gaughan Vol. 7 - I've been looking at this scarf for quite a while and decided to just go for it when I was browsing in Knitting Etc. while on vacation. I bought three skeins of Berroco Vintage in colorway Chana Dal (pictured below). This color is amazing ... I can't get enough of yellow ochre, always my favorite while painting.

The unusual construction of this scarf has not bored me yet. I am done with the first section, adding the fringe and I am on the mid-section with the traveling cables. Really fun knit, and Vintage is so soft! Here is a photo of my progress:

I am also knitting a pair of socks, and a prototype square for a brioche afghan I'm thinking about designing. Brioche is my favorite stitch right now, especially with two colors.

Take care, Sue

Remix has arrived for Dutch Tunic

I've started the VK Dutch tunic. Remix arrived today and I started the back. I'm using size 7 and size 8 needles ... the yarn is luscious!!!

Take care, Sue

Herringbone Cowl Finished!!

Big win this Christmas!! My daughter repeatedly tells me she does not want me to knit anything for her because she probably won't wear it (she is very picky and hardly ever wears knitted items). So despite these warnings, last February I decided to press her and say "If I knitted something for you, not that I will, what color would you like it to be?" She said, "Cerulean blue, like the crayon. That would make my eyes pop!" So I bought two skeins of Malabrigo Worsted in a glorious blue and proceeded to knit her the popular Purlbee "Herringbone Cowl." I struggled with this pattern as was discussed in my post at the time (see post) but I picked it up again in November and finished it ON CHRISTMAS EVE! Kate rolled her eyes when she opened up the present, but she did say she loved the color!! Success!!

Hope you all had a beautiful holiday!! Love, Sue

Vogue Knitting Favorites

I've had a subscription to Vogue Knitting since the mid 80s. I love every issue and browse through them constantly. I had an idea the other day about the designs I've loved but never knit! I'm going to make an effort this coming year to make at least a couple of these beauties.

The first one I want to attempt is an Anne Mieke design from the Holiday 1987 issue.


Anne Mieke's simply designed drop shoulder sweaters were in almost every issue in the late 80s-early 90s. I always ahh'd over this one although I never made it:

The description states: "A Dutch fisherman's smock inspired Anne Mieke's drop-shoulder tunic with seed-stitched side slits, back panel, and front-buttoned placket. Coin buttons close the placket and decorate the back panel. In a Classic Elite cotton/wool."

I think I'm going to use an eco-wool for this in a heathered beige. The original yarn was Classic Elite Cambridge, a cotton/wool worsted weight. I would need around 1,500 yards for size 38 (with the oversized fit bust measurement would be 50"). I'm leaning toward Berroco Remix, although the gauge is a little off (17 st per 4 in).

Stay Tuned!!

Take care, Sue

How to Stop A Guilt Trip About My Ravelry Notebook - Statistical Analysis!

So I made a pie chart of my Ravelry Notebook. Actually I don't feel so bad about this. Out of 125 projects, 72 are finished, which is 57 percent. I have a rule that I don't have more than 6 WIPs at a time, so that only makes 5 percent. 34 percent are in hibernation. 4 percent frogged.

So now that I've made a statistical analysis of my knitting, I can fling the guilt of mounting stash and rest on my laurels!!! (or my yarn piles!!)

Have a great weekend. Sue