In which I commit to a huge sweater project

Photos from BT Men

Let’s just take a minute here and talk about how awesome Brooklyn Tweed is. Again. While I’m always finding myself in love with BT collections, along with the rest of the knitting world, but there are two reasons that I’m especially happy about BT men:

1. The world really needs more modern men’s sweaters

2. Those sweaters should be modeled by (really) well-styled bearded men in a loft. Obviously.

Tragically for me, the boy that has stolen my heart is also less than fond of handknits, especially garments. (I’m confident I’ll get him one day, but today is not that day) The other knitworthy guy in my life is my dad and, well.. his wardrobe just happens to be lacking in the classic woolly sweater department. So, I send off the lookbook with an offer to make him a sweater if he liked any of them and he responded with a vote for Timberline because “it would fit well should [he] decide to start smoking a pipe in [his] later years.”

Photos from BT Men

This sweater was one of my favourites after a first look through, possibly because it reminds me of Exeter (which has been in the back of my brain as a bucket list sweater for ages). Though I have to say, Dad, way to pick the sweater with the greatest yardage requirement. Seriously. Never mind that long torsos and gorilla arms run in the family, both of which necessitate yardage-eating sweater modifications. And while I’d love to tackle this in the recommended Shelter, I also really like paying rent and eating food. So, I was brainstorming possible subs and I’m leaning toward something like Briggs and Little Regal, or maybe even just Cascade 220.

So, here’s to men’s sweaters! And tweed! And dreams of fall!

What were your favourites from this collection? Are you already thinking about fall knits?

Oh, Alberta

I leave Canada alone for 5 weeks and it decides to implode. My heart is breaking for all those who have lost homes, have had their property damaged and those who have a long road of rebuilding ahead. There's not a ton I can do from over here, but I did purchase an Alberta love magnet from Amy Victoria Wakefield, and she's donating proceeds to the Red Cross. (And, apparently, replacing artwork of hers that was damaged in the flood. How cool is that?)

So seriously, Canada. Stop it. Don't make me come over there. (Much as I would really love to right now) Stay dry and safe, everyone!

FO: Rock Island Shawl

Well, it's about freaking time that I have some actual knits to show off. Being separated from my stash is a good thing, I guess, because I've finished 2 things in the last couple weeks. But first and foremost, my Rock Island Shawl!

I seriously never thought I would finish this sucker. Because you knit the edge first and then pick up and work in, the beginning takes forever. I think I almost lit this thing on fire at least 5 times. In the end, totally worth it and I'll probably make another one.

I used Little Red Bicycle's Spark Lace which is a 75% merino, 20% silk and 5% metallic blend. That's right, this sucker sparkles. It's actually barely noticeable, but every once in awhile I catch a glint of silver in the sunshine. I like it! It's definitely super wearable too. I can't wait to actually block this with pins and real tools when I get back to Canada! You can see my Rav project page here.

Now, I'm trying to figure out ways to keep from dying in the heat. Seriously, my entire life has been spent with summers that get maybe 1 or 2 days above 30 degrees and now I'm facing down a forecast of days in the 30's for the next month or two. Oh, and it turns out I'm extra allergic to Italian mosquitoes (zebra/tiger ones?) so I'm spending my evenings slathering myself in antihistamine cream and trying to stay cool in my non-air conditioned room.

Stay cool, friends!

Venice

Well, I made it to Italy! I haven’t been around these parts since I only really have internet access while I’m on campus, and I never have time to write a post. So, instead of knitting over my lunch break, I brought my laptop to the park and here it goes!

I’m still not entirely sure of how I feel about my trip this far. I’m feeling incredibly homesick, and that’s putting a real damper on my desire to do anything. I’ve been working 9-10 hour days on my research and I’m typically exhausted by the end of the day and just retreat back to my apartment without doing much walking about. In order to counteract my apathy 2 weeks ago, I took a day trip to Venice. I’m only a 1.5 hour train ride or so away, and it’s only a €15 round trip train ticket, so what the hell, right?

This was my second trip to Venice. The first time, about 5 years ago, I was with James and we had just come off a rough week. (We had been robbed in France and I was without a wallet, so he had to pay for everything until I got a new credit card. Top that off with getting a fine for messing up our train passes.. it was a bad scene and I was super grumpy)

I arrived nice and early in the morning and was greeted by crisp (almost fresh!) air and pleasantly empty streets. I took my time strolling around, but at about 11 all the tourists are out in full force and, well, it gets a little cozy in those tiny streets. I passed at least 5 wedding parties, countless buskers and tourist groups. I did manage to make it to Piazza San Marco this time (somehow missed on the first grumpy visit) and the square, along with the waterfront, were just insanely packed. I ended up taking a turn to try and head back to the train station, but that kind of failed and I walked through small and empty streets for hours, only occasionally hitting a congested canal but I fairly easily abandoned those routes. I headed back home at about 3pm, and was quite happy to crash into bed and rest my feet. That was a lot of walking!

All in all, I probably won’t make a point of going back there again. I feel kind of pretentious saying that, but I think there are much more beautiful places to visit that don’t have the same degree of tourist mania. (If you can’t get a free map, there are probably too many tourists ;)

Have you been to Venice? What are your thoughts? This weekend I’m heading to Padua to fulfill my dreams of stalking the offices of Galileo and Copernicus.

-H

ps: If you want to see more photos and follow my adventures, I'm on Instagram quite often! My username is hannahschm.

Packable Knits

As I mentioned earlier, I'm getting ready to spend my summer abroad. Obviously my #3 concern (behind finding flights and accommodations) is what knitting to bring. I want to keep it light, because I only have limited space in my luggage, and because it's going to be summer in a hot place. As a lifetime almost arctic-circle dweller, I'm concerned that I might die in the heat, so light things are a must. Last time I was away from my stash this long was on a backpacking trip, so all I could pack were socks. (Somehow I managed to make it 6 months of cross-continental travel without breaking a DPN! About 10 seconds after realizing this and being all self-congratulatory about it I totally snapped one in half, though. True story) Anyways, this time I have an apartment to call home base so I can be a bit more flexible with my choices. Here's what has been on my brain!

Candidate #1: Beautiful Spring Scarf from the Purl Bee

Photo from the Purl Bee

I fell instantly in love with this scarf. Seriously. I love the simplicity and the vibrance of the tassels at the bottom. It's such a fantastic contrast! I'm fairly certain I could never finish this scarf if I had steady access to both my stash and an LYS, as I have the attention span of a gnat. I figure this could be a solid desert island project! And since I can't find any knotting cord close by, nor can I afford the shipping from Purl Soho to recreate the tassles in this masterpiece, I'll have to figure that out later. I have some lovely cotton/linen in my stash that would make a great substitute for the scarf portion, though! (I admit, I fondled the yarn called for in the pattern for a shameful amount of time when I visited Purl last month. It's amazing.)

Candidate #2: Muji Painting by Lies Vandesande

Image from Lies Vandesande

Do you detect a theme? Because it's miles of stockinette stitch that go around my neck. I loved this cowl when I found it, and I was even more convinced when Ariane made one in the most beautiful shade of mauve. I would be inclined to pick up a couple skeins of Malabrigo Lace for this, given how fantastically soft and light that stuff is. Or maybe some Tanis lace. Who knows.

Candidate #3: Lakeshore Shawl by Glenna C.

Image from Glenna C.

This one is, by far, the most brain intensive of my candidates. I've had this queued on Ravelry for well over a year. I love the pattern, the scale, and the fact that it would fill a niche in my wardrobe that remains empty. I picked up some yarn at Romni on my first visit which is a nice, single ply in between fingering and lace weights with this shawl in mind.

Candidate #4: Bridgewater Shawl by Jared Flood

Image from Brooklyn Tweed

Ok, so this one only recently hit my radar in an urgent way. I'm possibly only including it in my brainchild list because a) Chelsea just finished one and I have massive shawl envy and b) I would do it in Malabrigo lace and, well, that just sounds like a great idea. One annoyance with this one is that the middle section is huge, but it is only garter stitch which would be great brainless knitting. I would probably skip the edging for the time being because I don't really feel like carting around the longest circular needle known to man, which is likely what's required.

What are your thoughts? What have you packed for trips away from your stash?
-H