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One of the most interesting things about working at a yarn store is listening to people explain the processes involved in things they do differently than you do. If you let go of conventions about there being a right way or a wrong way there is a lot to learn! Recently a woman was explaining how she blocked her knits. Now, I am going to say right now, I block everything. It just makes things look better, even the simplest hat. But I don’t do a full on pinned blocking every time, which I will explain shortly. How this woman blocks her knitting is by taking a damp towel (or two) and placing her work on it, either folding it so both sides are covered or putting another one on top. When the work is damp she would then lay it flat to dry. I had never even thought of using a damp towel, but can see how this would be a great way to block really delicate knits. As long as you are getting a result you like, there is no wrong way to block.

Now here’s what I do. First, it depends on what I am blocking. If it’s something simple, or something with lots of colourwork, I do a steam block. I take my Super Cooker (a wedding gift - I’ve always wanted to test if I can cook a steak and cake at the same time!) which is basically a really big pan with a domed lid and a steamer rack. I put some water in (not too much, just 1/2 inch or so) and let it boil. I toss my knits on the rack, put the lid on and let them absorb the steam for a minute or so. Then I take them out and fluff them into shape. It works pretty good, and is my line of first defence when it comes to blocking.

If my work needs a bit more, or I am blocking lacy openwork, I opt for full immersion. I take a big bowl and turn on the kettle. I place my knits in the bowl and when the kettle is almost boiling, I pour the water (gently) on to my knits. I let it sit until the water cools considerably and then GENTLY wring out excess water. Then I take some towlels, lay the knits flat on a towl, roll it up and stomp on it as I read somewhere that Elizabeth Zimmerman did this, and I giggle at the idea of her stomping on anything. Then I lay it flat and start shaping and pinning. I put blocking wires in the straight edges and pin down the middle first and start working outwards. Then I let it dry (sometimes I cheat and use a hair dryer to speed things up).

If I am blocking silk, I just spray and pin as quickly as possible, the smell is so bad!

So that’s how I block. How do you do it?

My Macbook Air suffered a horrible drink soaked death thanks to my crazy 2 year old, so I’ve been without a proper computer for a bit. But last night I went down and bought a new computer. Phewf! That little guy is expensive. So far he has wrecked my cellphone in an unfortunate drop and a computer. I hope he does not want to go to college! (I kid…)

I finished my Color Affection Shawl, it’s beautiful. The Arroyo got even softer and nicer after blocking. And I am getting ready to cast on another, this time in Manos Lace in Alvina Aqua and Rhiannon (which I have been dying to knit with since it came in) and Alpaca Super Lace in brown for a KAL we are doing at my store (Ravelry Link). If you’re local, you should join in! I like awkward colour combinations. Can you tell? I really liked the shawl and am super excited about doing a lighter version. I might follow the fingering weight instructions though, because I want it to be a bit smaller this time. I also broke and bought a shawl pin (it’s the Cupid) to wear mine with, and it’s made all my shawls more wearable. And it has animal print!

I also just just finished a bag out of the Darn Good Yarn Sari Ribbon I posted about a while ago. It took almost all of the 6 skeins I bought and it’s huge and slouchy and a perfect knitting bag. I loved watching the colours and textures change as I knit it.

I am working on a second version with some awesome tutorials, so that should be up soon. But not too soon as I am off to Yarnover this weekend! If you know of any good yarn stores (or anything else for that matter) that I should check out in the Twin Cities, let me know!

Finally, here’s another ebook sneek peek. I knit a version in another yarn, and decided that I had to do another in Arroyo in Arco Iris because I loved the yarn so much and Arco Iris is my favorite Malabrigo colourway.

I spun some more yarn. I’ve been doing a lot of spinning these days, that is for sure. This was a batt from bohoknitterchic on etsy. It is really fluffy. Like the towels that have been softened in a bounce commerical. Just a simple bulky two ply in all the colours.

Other than that I have been consumed with a need to finish a Color Affection shawl. I am halfway through the third section and I really can’t wait to finish it so I can wear it. I have been knitting on it like crazy. It’s a great pattern, simple colour changes and shortrows that anyone could tackle. I am possibly considering another, but I need to finish other things first. I am using Malabrigo Arroyo in Borraja, Chircas and Escoria. I am digging it. My goal is to finish it and my Kidsilk Haze Stripe scarf this week. I just finished picking up a dropped stitch about 30 rows down. Ugh. We’ll see. I love the colour palette in Arroyo. We got a bunch in at the store the other day and there was not a single colour I did not like. Even the reddy/pinky/orange ones.

I was super excited about spinning some crazy yarn, but when I sat down to spin up the contents of my February Phat Fiber box, I decided to go with a regular 2 ply yarn. It turned out pretty well I think. I was lent a Louet S10, and it is really nice to spin on. The Phat Fiber box is a neat way to try out lots of fiber (or yarn) from lots of people. And what is better than a box full of little bundles of surprise fiber? Before I spun it I weighed all the samples and had a bit over 4 oz. I split them into two piles, turned on the tv and spun away. I have a worsted-ish yarn with about 190 yards. It has lots of colour and some glitzy bits, just how I like it. Now I just need to find a project that I can use every last bit with. I am thinking some sort of crescent shawlette or airy scarf. I am really hoping a batt that I ordered comes in today so I can try some bubblewrapped corespun tomorrow at spin night.

So I’m working on a collection of patterns due out in July right now. It’s full of colorwork and tiny needles, one of my favorite things. But I am also working on another collection, focused more on texture (with color sharing the spotlight for sure) and crazier yarns for when I need a break from the tiny projects. I ordered a few yarns for it and made a few more. Yesterday I got a really exciting package in the mail. It was a bundle of 6 skeins of Darn Good Yarn Around the World Recycled Sari Silk Ribbon (which is a featured yarn right now, so it’s even 10% off! Which just makes me want more). And it is so so gorgeous. I’ve ordered a skein before to check it out, but all of those skeins in one package was pretty magical. Here are some more pictures so you can get an idea of what I am talking about.

I am so excited about working with this stuff. I’ve ordered a few different yarns from them before and they have all been gorgeous. I just love all the colours and the bits and the fuzz. And I have 6 skeins to play with!  It’s made up of strips of sari silk remnants sewn together so there are all sorts of colours and patterns in there, it’s pretty amazing. Opening the skeins was like opening a wrapped treasure with all sorts of interesting elements to discover inside. I can’t wait to get started knitting with this stuff. Next time I want to get some of the Tibet Jewels because you know I love me some sparkle!

Not only is it really gorgeous stuff, but they are great. All of the yarns are made of recycled or reclaimed fibers and it’s all super hippy-friendly. This article says it way better than I could.