The Summer Sampler Project heats up! Hold onto your lifelines!

In honor of the official start of summer, which recently passed us, I thought I would warm things up...

I offer you Pattern Five. I call this pattern The Grand Spider. I believe I made it up...
A few quick notes before you dive in:
1) Only the odd numbered rows are charted. The even numbered rows are purl straight across.
2) I suggest you put a life-line in before you begin this particular pattern, even if you don't usually use them.
3) I suggest you make a 29-stitch swatch and work about 16 rows using one repeat of the shaded section to try this pattern out in scrap yarn before you add it to your Sampler.
4) If you don't enjoy working this pattern after giving it a fair try, replace the 7/7 with (knit two, yarn-over, double-vertical decrease, yarn-over, knit two.) It won't look the same but it will look pretty and work fine.


Following is a short stitch tutorial for the 7/7 move...

First, if you knit like most Americans, slip the seven stitches to be used and replace them so that they sit on the needles as illustrated above. If you knit in the European Crossed-Uncrossed way, this is how your stitches are already sitting. The point is that you can insert your right-hand needle into the back leg of all seven stitches more smoothly and with less stress on your hands and the yarn. For those of you working projects with nupps, think about the above concept...
Insert the right-hand needle into the seven stitches, and knit the seven together, but do not remove the stitches from the left-hand needle.
Make a yarn-over, insert the right-hand needle into the same seven stitches, make a stitch and again, leave the seven on the left-hand needle. You have three stitches made on the right-hand needle.
Again, make a yarn-over, insert the right-hand needle into the seven stitches, make a stitch, leaving the seven on the left-hand needle. You have made five stitches on the right-hand needle. Make a yarn-over and for the last time, insert the right-hand needle into the seven stitches, making your final stitch. You have seven new stitches on your right-hand needle. Allow the seven stitches on the left-hand needle to slide off.

Viola! Grand Spiders! It is actually really fun once you get into it. Remember to work loosely, and mind the order of those seven stitches when you purl them on the return row, because it is easy to cross them if you don't watch closely. Also, note that they are not turned the way you usually see them, so either purl them from the presenting stitch leg, or re-position them. Again, those of you working on nupps, think about how easy it would be to purl those stitches together if you wanted to...

A little surprise arrived at BadCatHouse this past week. Jane, who owns Jade Sapphire Yarn Company, sent me this lovely box, containing four balls of the Lacey Lamb I am working my Summer Sampler in.

I intend to give two balls each, to two different people. Some of you know the pleasure I get in seeing my designs knit by other people. Once I post the final installment of this project, I will ask those of you who have been working with me to send photos of your finished pieces. I think that the first two people who send me finished Summer Sampler photos will each get two balls for their next Sampler. How does that sound to you? I need to limit this offer to those of you in North America, because shipping to Other continents is just too darn expensive. If you are off my continent and want to play for the yarn, you are welcome to if you are willing to cover the shipping via PayPal, OK? OK...

And finally, this is the newest design I am working on. The yarn is Malabrigo Lace in the Paris Nights colorway. The beads are actually more purple than they read in the picture, because the glass is amber, but the have another color lining them, if you know what I mean. It is a triangle, and you see the center spine and pattern as it grows from the center. Tell me what you think.

See you next week, for some July Fourth fun. Until then, knit on!

BadCat goes to London!

I am posting pattern four a few days early, because I will be away until Monday and I wanted to be sure you all have another pattern to work on in my absence. Take a quick look and let me know if you see any issues in the next 18 hours, or hold onto them until I return! Pattern four is another delicate motif, which I decided to call The Garden Trellis. I hope you enjoy it.

Take a minute to vote in the poll on the left side of the blog, and name pattern one. Why not?

Next week I hope to have something with more substance for you. At a bare minimum I should have a few travel pictures. Until then, knit on!

The Summer Sampler Project: in time for WWKIP Day!

If you are new to the party, please take a moment to review all previous posts with The Summer Sampler label!

I got a special request to get this pattern up early. Those of you know know me know that I usually scoff at such requests, but this one was from Beth, who wanted to be able to continue work on her sampler when she went out for WWKIP Day. How could I resist...

Pattern 3 is more ornate than the previous pattern, and I will call it Climbing Vines. Once you establish the pattern, it flows easily.
Following is page nine of our pattern, and again, refer to the Key and Chart Dissection in previous posts if you get confused.

I am still collecting name ideas for pattern 1, and I will put a naming poll up with my post next week. Heads-up! I am off to London (actually St Albans) next Thursday and you can expect to see the next pattern page before I leave. If anyone has any fiber "must-see" suggestions in St Albans, please let me know! Until then, knit on!

The Summer Sampler Study: What's in a name?

For those of you new to the party, please take some time to review all the previous posts with the Summer Sampler label.

Cheryl, from my Yahoogroup, asked if pattern one had a name. The patterns I have collected for this sampler are not from one tradition. Versions of pattern one can be found in both German and Japanese collections. It can be seen as a single “scroll” or as mirror “scrolls” as I charted it. Pattern one is usually a panel (insertion.) I have never seen a name associated with any version of pattern one, but if someone knows otherwise please feel free to tell me in the comments. If I get a few suggestions for names I will post a pattern naming poll, just for fun. Until I get enough suggestions to put up a poll for pattern one’s name, it shall remain nameless. Make it something related to the summer theme…

Pattern two is also found in many different knitting traditions. It can be used as a panel (insertion) as I have set it up for The Summer Sampler Study, and also as a background (ground) pattern. I have never seen a name associated with this pattern, but I decided to call it The Hurricane Fence. Enjoy!

Pattern two is very straightforward and fun to work. I enjoy seeing how the yarn-overs line up to give the distinctive pattern.


Don't forget to refer back to both The Key and my Chart Dissection for a reminder, if you get confused. Both the odd and even rows are again charted for you.

I would like to make a small statement about Lifelines. Lifelines, in lace knitting, give you a safety net. I don't use them frequently, but they are great to insert before moving onto a new pattern or technique. If you make an error, you just rip right back to your Lifeline and try again. Adding Lifelines is easy. Use a blunt-tip needle to insert a spare length of smooth, contrasting yarn through all the stitches on your needle. You leave the needle there too...but do not include the stitch markers! Once the Lifeline is in, just keep knitting. I use cotton crochet thread or un-waxed dental floss. If you have to rip back, the stitches will all be held on your Lifeline. You just put those stitches right back on your needle without any fuss, and try again. You can Insert a Lifeline as often as you like. For those of you new to lace knitting, consider adding a Lifeline right before you begin each new pattern. Once the project is done, simply remove any Lifelines before blocking. For those of you with more experience, use Lifelines as they suit you. I suggest you use one before pattern 5, and will remind you of that when we get there! Happy knitting...

The Summer Sampler Study Pattern One

If you are new to the party, please take a few minutes to read all the previous posts with the Summer Sampler label!

I would like to start this weekend by sending out huge birthday greetings to Lara's daughter Stephanie, who is turning sweet 14, and to Kim (who is just a few years older than Stephanie this weekend.) Party on ladies! Might I suggest this fabulous, no-bake blueberry cheesecake? I made this for my sweetie's recent birthday, with extra berries, and it was wonderful...

And now, for the real meat of the Summer Sampler project, I present Pattern One. You should refer back to my earlier chart dissection and the key before you dive in. Please recall that my charts are giving you a front view of the design at all times, and the key will help you get into that mind-set. Following is pattern page seven:
By popular request, here is what pattern one looks like. This is my work, still on the needles. That means it is not blocked, but just pinned out for a picture. This is only an estimate of its final loveliness, because you all know what blocking does to fine lace knitting, right?
I thought I would also add a close-up of the spacer, also pinned out but un-blocked, for your reference.
Some of you might be wondering if all I am working on is that darn Summer Sampler. Certainly not! In truth, I am waaay out in front on the sampler, so I can swatch some new designs running from my head to my fingers. Below is one "swatch" so far. It should come off my needles later this weekend, so you will see this green item again soon.
Until next time, knit on into June!

The Summer Sampler Study Casts On!

If you are new to the party, please take a few minutes to read the previous posts under the Summer Sampler label.

Happy long weekend, for those of you in the USA. We are marking Memorial Day in the Northeast with glorious weather, at long last! I put together a really huge post for you today, because there were a few things I really wanted to cover. Let me start briefly (to mark Memorial Day) with the stitch marker:

The Summer Sampler needs two markers. Use one after and before the three stitches of garter stitch along each edge, to remind you to maintain that. You might also use others if you choose, as we move into the various patterns, which don't all have the same repeats. On my project needles I am using small coiless safety pins. I slip a few seed beads on the pin for my amusement, and to distinguish one side from the other if need be. Many things can be used as stitch markers; you can use the coiless pins, a loop of smooth thread, rubber bands from your kid's orthodontist, plastic ones you buy at the yarn shop and finally, lovely ones you buy from a craft person or make yourself! At the end of this post, I will show you how I make totally lovely stitch markers. Jewelry for your needles...

The picture above shows two important things. The first is the cast-on. This project requires a temporary cast-on. There are many ways to achieve this. I use the method EZ teaches, and you can find it in Knitting Without Tears or A Knitter's Almanac, among other places. Here are a few links to help you out.

Eunny Jang: Provisional cast-on like I do it (and I learned from EZ’s books.)

Fiona’s Knitting: Provisional cast-on

Stitch Diva: Chained cast-on

Any of these options will get what you needs, so take your choice and cast-on! Page four follows with full directions:

If you glance back up to the picture, after the cast-on you will see the garter stitch section and the first spacer section. Page five and six follow, with full instructions for the spacer chart. I give you written along with charted direction for this pattern only, to help move you in the correct direction. The spacer is the only chart with significant activity on the wrong side rows, so don't let it intimidate you. It is easier than it looks.



Thanks to all of you who took my poll. It looks like the vast majority want pictures with each chart as I post them, so that is what I will do. There were several great suggestion about how I could post the picture elsewhere, and just put the link here on the blog, but all of those ideas will take me just enough extra time to deter me, so pictures here with the charts it will be!

Following is my stitch marker tutorial, for those of you interested!

You first obtain special materials. I use sterling silver head pins. These are 22 gauge and 3 inches long. You don't need them this long, but the length makes it so easy to do nice work. I use 22 gauge for stitch markers to use with lace-weight yarn. I use larger gauge for heavier markers, but today I am making lace-weight markers. Above, I have coin pearls, two different smaller pearls, moonstones and amethysts, along with size 11 Japanese seed beads.
I use round-nose pliers, flat-nose pliers, a cutter and a mandrill (an old US 9 knitting needle.)
I start with the goodies on the head-pin arranged the way I like them.

Using the flat-nosed pliers, I make a right angle bend in the head-pin just the right distance from my goodies.
Here you see the bend and where I placed it.
Next, I take the round-nosed pliers and put a gentle curve in the head-pin.
I extend the curve around my mandrill, using my fingers.

I now use the flat-nosed pliers to grasp the new loop where it comes together, as I hold the end of the head-pin.
I wrap the wire around the "shaft" of my marker with my hand. You can use a second pliers, but the hand gives me much better control over how the wraps lay (perfectly, right next to each other.)
I use my cutters to snip the extra wire off once the wraps are done. Cut right next to the last wrap.
Lastly, I use the flat-nosed pliers to push the cut end of the wire in, so I can't feel it. If you don't do that, it might snag your yarn. Be very careful not to break the seed bead when you do this step.

Now they are ready for gifting! Set one is my coin pearls.
Set two are moonstones and amethysts.
Set three are grey and white pearls.
Some eye candy from my collection, we have turquoise on the left and coral and turquoise on the right.
Here we have abalone fish and silver.
Here we have assorted stones and silver.
Here is part of a really large set I made using Italian glass and silver. Each one is a different color. Some are currently occupied on other projects...
Finally, these are some kind of opal with silver. I hope you like my markers, and make a set for yourself. Just make two and dress up your Summer Sampler needles!

I'll be back next week with pattern one of the Sampler project. Happy knitting!

Summer Sampler Study: To Swatch or not to Swatch...

Today we are moving onto the next step of our Summer Sampler Study. If you are new to the party, please be sure to read all previous posts with the Summer Sampler label.

Here is where I suggest that you swatch. If you refer back to the first page of our project, I discussed yarn selection. I gave a simple calculation for figuring out the approximate size of your finished sampler, based on the size of your swatch. The first picture below is page three for your sampler pattern. Remember to look at your key carefully before starting, and pay close attention. Remember that my charts show you a "front view" of your knitting. Remember that you only repeat the shaded section of the row.
Here you see my gauge swatch, still pinned out. I soaked my swatch in water and used blocking wires so the edges would be relatively straight, but I could still block it out firmly. Under tension of blocking, my swatch was 4 inches wide and 4.5 inches long.

Once my swatch was dry and I removed the blocking tension, my swatch was about 3.75 inches wide and 4.25 inches long. If you go back to my original calculation, on page one, I will multiply 3.75 by 3.41, which equals 12.8 inches. This will be the width of my final piece WITHOUT the edging. The edging will add about 3-4 more inches total to the width. I will now multiply 4.25 by 17, which equals 72 inches, again, without the edging, which will add 3-4 inches. To wrap this up, my piece should be about 16 inches wide and 72+ inches long when I am done. I actually know that I will block the hell out of it when I am done, so it will actually be wider:) Please take all that information and use it as you will to assist you in selecting yarn and needles as you swatch...
Isn't my pin box cute? I got her at 99 Cent Wonder, on Saint Nicholas and 172nd Street...

I wanted to say a few words about putting samplers together. Originally, a sampler was a place to record all the fancy stitches you learned from your friends and family. By knitting them, you recorded the patterns for you future use. There were no printed volumes of stitch patterns, ready and waiting for you. Of course, we now have these wonderful collections of patterns just waiting for us to enjoy. Following are just a few of the stitch pattern collections I have in my library. All the books I am including today are still in print.

The 300 collection is Japanese, but fully charted, so you don't need to read any Japanese to use and enjoy it. It is full of mostly traditional lace stitch patterns.
The Mary Schiffmann book has some lovely traditional lace patterns, including edgings. It is in English.
This small book, by Hazel Carter, has many traditional Shetland lace patterns, In English.

Another Japanese stitch collection, this one has both crochet and knit patterns, including some unusual lace knitting patterns. In Japanese, but fully charted.
This 250 Japanese book is all knitting patterns and includes some of the most unusual and ornate combinations of lace and cables. A real beauty...In Japanese but fully charted.
These four books are the well known Walker stitch collections. No serious knitter is without them. In English and enough said...
This Mary Thomas book is full of great information for the lace knitter. Not only are there some traditional lace stitch patterns, but there is a great section on decreases which is worth the entire book, in English.

And finally, the Barbara Abbey book if full of traditional edgings and a great resource, in English.

These are just a small selection to get your creative juices flowing. There are many more, including some wonderful German books, an Estonian book and others.

I want to call your attention to the poll on the left side of the blog. I am asking your opinion on how I should post the Sampler patterns. To date, it seems like most people prefer to have the picture of the knit pattern along with the chart each week. If you have an opinion, please share it!

I will be back next week to cast-on for the Summer Sampler! Until then, swatch away...