Bella Knitting

Connections

Laura

We're in a book! A real book, on Amazon, and in your book store today . . .  but no it's not a knitting book. Huh? The book is titled "The Million Dollar Idea in Everyone" and much to the chagrin of my husband it's not about companies that have made a million dollars (sorry honey) but about people having an idea and going for it.

Why, you might ask, is Bella Knitting in a book and how did we get there? It's all about connections and a bit of luck. A friend of my husbands whose wife knows an author who was writing a business book ... you get it. They were looking for small companies who were trying something in a new way. They liked that I 'walked away from an eighteen year career at IBM" to start a knitting company. I guess most people (non-knitters obviously) don't think of computers when they think knitting - they must not know about Knitty, Ravelry or all you fabulous bloggers out there. They're still thinking rocking chairs, that's all right, we know better.

They wanted to hear about how Bella Knitting was different, what it is we offer our customers. So I talked about the convenience of the total project, offering more than just yarn but also the purse feet, magnets, some fabric and the leather straps too as an example. The interview took place over a year ago so I didn't even get to tell them about winding all that color coordinated thread winding for the Buddy Bags!  I explained the virtual but real friendships bloggers form and their influence on popular patterns like our rampaging baby Vikings who are now crawling around on six continents! 

And it gets better! We're in the very first story of the book - we're on page two of the first chapter and you know the saying ... location, location, location!

But wait there's more . . .  Harvard Business Online reviewed the book on their web site referring to just two stories  -  guess who?!!!  Yup, us! With a direct link to the Bella web site too (do you think Harvard Business people knit?). If your a small business owner it doesn't really get more exciting than this. With all this luck I think I should go out an buy a lottery ticket.

Double Dutch, Chunky Style!

Sarah

I knit one of Arlette's Double Dutch hats a while back, and it was so fun I knew I'd be making more. That's saying a lot, coming from me, since I tend not to repeat the same patterns very often -- but the knitting of this is clever and different, and it's a hat, so it doesn't technically count as a new WIP. (Yes, I made that rule up. It's kind of like the rule that sock yarn doesn't count as stash. It works.) So I worked on other things, and waited for the right combination of yarns to occur to me.

The other day, I was high off of the rush that comes with completing a UFO that's been in the pile for a long time (this one, if you're wondering) and contemplating new projects (despite the number of UFOs in hibernation) when I walked past a basketful of yarn and noticed these two colors of Cascade Venezia, sitting side-by-side. Perfect! So, I cast on (making up my two-color cast-on as I went along, which explains the wonkiness) and began a new Double Dutch. I want it to be big and slouchy, so I'm using size 10 needles and only subtracted about 8 stitches from what the pattern suggests (all patterns are suggestions, right?) and it looks okay so far. It may end up being a little too big and slouchy, but that's a risk I'm willing to take. For Science.

I don't think it's up in the store yet, but Laura has some of this yarn in three or four different colors (including the two I'm using), if you're interested in trying out your own super-chunky Double Dutch. If I get lazy, I'm going to cast off after knitting a few more inches and call it a cowl, which should be really cute and cozy. Or I might still do a hat, but change it up by doing a gathered top instead of the swirly decreases. I do loves me some swirly decreases, though...decisions, decisions. I'll let you know how it goes!

Viking Down Under

Here is one of our rampaging Vikings. Shhh, you may not have noticed yet but they are slowly taking over the world so lock your doors at night and batten down the hatches.

This little Brunhilde is Down Under, although she looks more like a lover than a fighter. Her name is Freya - just perfect!! :)

Easter Creativity

Laura

The problem with holidays and large family gatherings is that after the 'big event' in the morning, be that opening gifts or searching for eggs all those little ones are still full of excitement, energy and now boat loads of sugar too. How to harness all that potential mayhem, redirecting it into a more creative (and quiet) outlet . . . ?

I would love to say I thought of this super creative solution, but it was my Mom,  "Grandma" to her seven little honey-bunnies although I would say 'Super Grandma' since she is somehow able to babysit all of them at one time with one arm tied behind her back.

This year Grandma had them decorate her San Diego back yard with spools of ribbon! I know, it's brilliant!

The most amazing thing, she said, was the level of cooperative play. The five yard-artists ranging in age three to eight each took a different role in the creation. Tossing, catching, wrapping and tying the ribbons, crawling under their creation and popping up in the middle from time to time to check the progress.

Sounds like pure fun to me - even better than creating blanket forts in the living room. Wouldn't this be a great birthday party event also?

So hide your yarn stash and head to the $1 Store. Unless, that is, you have some of that brightly colored fuzzy-furry yarn you want to get rid of! Come on, don't be ashamed, we all have a bit left in the back of the closet. ;)

Want another little idea ? . . .

A Stone Cold Killer

Sarah

Yup, that's me -- I'm a stone cold killer. A serial assassin. (Three victims counts as serial, right?) And you know what? I feel pretty good about it. After all, each of my victims was felled by a nice pair of handknit socks! I haven't blogged about it much, but things went pretty well for me in Death by Socks III, which started way back in the middle of January. Now seems like a good time to recap, though, since the game is officially over -- and since there's new sock yarn to drool over! (Laura, I will be coming over soon to fondle the yarn. It looks awesome.)

I cranked out the first pair for my DBS victim in just a few days, which was really exciting -- my goal was just to get in at least one "kill" before being knocked out myself. As time went on, I was able to finish off two more victims. Most of the people in the game were active participants and posted regularly on the board, which made it a lot of fun, and the sock pattern by Jeanie Townsend was a pleasure to knit (link goes to the Ravelry page for the pattern). The construction of the ruffle on these socks was really cool, and I like that the pattern offers several options -- for example, with or without the ruffle, and with the lace pattern just on the cuff, or extending down the foot.

In the end, almost every participant had a pair of socks -- except for me and one other knitter, Darlene (sorry, no link, I'm not sure if Darlene has a blog). Messages were sent out to try to determine what happened to our socks in progress, to no avail. Unfortunately, a couple of participants seemed to have flaked out. It looked like it might come down to a "shootout" between the two remaining knitters -- the two of us, on opposite sides of the country, engaging in a "High Noon" style standoff with yarn and needles -- when a much better solution was proposed: to split up the prize and declare two winners! It's a very happy ending to a fun game. Lots of thanks to the organizers, who did a great job, and to all of the knitters who participated. I won't be able to participate in DBS IV  because of school and other commitments (I joined DBS III thinking it would probably be over, at least for me, in the beginning of the semester!) but I'm definitely going to keep my eye out for future games!

It's Here! Yumy New Cascade Sock Yarn!

Laura

Buying online takes a leap of faith when you don't know what you're buying. That's why Bella only carries yarns you know and we love like Karabella and Cascade. But sometimes when faced with something new what's a shopper do but go for it? This happened to me when I saw a small snippet of the new Cascade Heritage Sock Yarn a few months ago.  The price point was good and it seemed soft . . . then again I've painted an entire room based on a tiny paint chip and that hasn't exactly worked out, but since we wanted to be one of the first to get this new yarn I jumped right in with a credit card and a smile.

So when my favorite mail carrier de jour (the one with the yarn boxes) delivered the Heritage yarn yesterday I jumped up and down (there may have been a bit of a squeal too but I get kudos for not hugging him), grabbed the scissors and crossed my fingers. My very first impression was that the colors were deep and rich. I pulled out the bags, trying to remember what colors I had ordered, peering at each one through the plastic, holding the multicolor Paints up to the window light and immediately (as I know you would) started picking out one for myself.

Time for the big test  - how did it feel? The label says 75% merino superwash and 25% nylon. Perfect for socks, wash and wear that's what we want but would it feel as nice to knit with, would I open it and sigh in pleasure or would it just be 'OK'?  I carefully cut open the bag, took a deep breath, closed my eyes (the better to isolate my senses), stuck my hand in the bag and . . .

So, of course, it is absolutely lovely. Take a look at the beautiful deep colors. We didn't order them all but we did get the deep Marine blue (first blue) and Demin (the hird), the Plum which is prettier than the photo, Bark (a.k.a. brown), Moss (the lighter green) and the three lovely Paints on the right. I think these are going to go fast so I could use some help picking colors for the next order. Any of your favorites that we missed? I am not a big fan of ordering every color  since not every one can be the best one but if you like it we'll try it! :)

I am torn between two of the Paints - Londonberry (5620) and Isle of Skye (5622). I've been planning on knitting Sarah's Synesthesia Socks for a while now and think this yarn will be perfect. You can grab Sarah's free sock pattern here.

Conveniently, I also just received my new Size 1 Knit Picks Harmony circular needles (OK, OK a few more too). Yes, size 1 wood needles - they are delicate and lovely too. A match made in heaven!

More on yarn specs below ...

A New Pattern and a Sneak Peek

Sarah

I have been a  busy little bee lately, and I'd like to share some of what I've been working on. First, I'm very excited that Ravelry has started up its pattern-hosting service -- it's just one more great feature on an already awesome site. I've opened a pattern store for some of my original designs, which you can check out here. I've put up the pattern for this sweater, which you may recall from a post a few months ago.

It now has a name -- it's the Woodside Pullover, named after a charming little nearby town -- and the pattern is available for download via Ravelry for $7.50. The six sizes given in the pattern range from a 32 to 48 inch chest measurement; I think it's a good unisex pullover, so I wanted to include the smallest and the largest sizes I could without having to do weird things to the stitches. (I do have some tips in the pattern for extending the size range by working at a slightly smaller or larger gauge, for the knitter who loves to modify.)

Of course, not everyone is equally keen on the Noro Kureyon which I used, so I included some suggested substitutions in the pattern. When Bella Knitting starts carrying the complete project in a few weeks, you'll be able to choose from Karabella Aurora 8 or DiVe Autunno, both of which are very soft. We carry the former in a lot of great solid colors, if you want a sweater that's all about texture, and the latter is a super-soft self-striping yarn with wide repeats. I'll let you know when this option becomes available, of course.

And now for the sneak peak promised in the title of this post...you know how I did a tutorial on yarn overs the other day? Well, I've designed something for Bella which uses a lot of them! It's being test knit, and we're working on the pattern, so it should be ready soon! The version shown here was knit in Cascade Venezia Worsted, which I swear knits like buttah. It's a totally dreamy 50-50 wool-silk blend. Of course, since Bella Knitting is all about the options, there's going to be a second great yarn choice and an option for using beads...but I think I'll leave it at that for now. I'll share more when there is more to share.

 

Eccentric Aunt Laura

Laura

So how do your families feel about your knitting? Really feel? While mine are generally very supportive they do tend to roll their eyes a bit every now and again during one of my Public Displays of Knitting.  My niece, Sarah, calls me Knitting Aunt Laura and my kids will tell anyone and everyone in a perfect two-part chorus that the thing they hear most from mommy  is ‘just a minute I have to finish my row”.

I’ve pretty much broken them all in so there was barely a raised eyebrow when I started knitting by the pool in Palm Dessert this afternoon. It is Girl’s Weekend so I am off with my four sisters for a quick we-hope-we-can-make-this-an-annual trip weekend. I’m actually with my sisters-in-law but how lucky am I that we are as close as sisters.

It is also the beginning of Spring Break which should prove interesting.  In the mean time I am by the pool, swatching my brains out for a new project (did I pick the perfect yarn color for the pool or what!).   I have needles in one hand and a Cadillac Margarita on the rocks with salt in the other. I am sure that has nothing to do with the fact that I had to redo this particular swatch three times.

Increase Tutorial: Sounds Like an English Motorway

Sarah

Maybe it's just me, but when I see "M1" written in a pattern, I think of English motorways, like the M5. Maybe I've just read too many novels set in England. Anyhow, the M1, or "make one" increase, is very useful, in part because it is actually two increases -- the increase can be made to slant to the left or to the right, usually abbreviated "M1L" or "M1R." Because the increase can be slanted, shaping can become a design element in your knitting, with the slants of increases and decreases playing off one another in elegant symmetry.

To work this increase, you will need to find the bar. Not the cold-beer-on-tap kind of bar -- you're looking for the bar of yarn that connects your stitches. If you hold your needles a little bit apart, you can see it, as in the photo below. Dip your left-hand needle down and slip it under the bar...

...like so. The bar of yarn is now nearly ready to become a new stitch. Note the orientation of the bar: the strand of yarn moves from the back over to the front. So, you'll want to knit it through the front, as you would an ordinary knit stitch in order to twist the strand closed, preventing a hole.

In this photo, you can see the needle going into the front of the stitch to knit, twisting the new stitch closed. This slants the stitch to the right, so this is an M1R increase.

Here, I've placed the arrow so that it is parallel with the twist of the new stitch -- you can see that it slants to the right. If I were increasing for the bust of a sweater, I'd probably use this increase on the right-hand edge of the garment, and a left-leaning increase on the left-hand edge, to echo the line of the fabric itself.

Speaking of left-leaning increases...If you want your make one increase to slant to the left, place the bar of yarn so that the strand goes from the front of the work to the back, as seen in the photo below.

To twist this stitch closed, it must be knit through the back of the loop, as seen in the photo below.

Here you can see that the stitch slants to the left, and so is an M1L. In the swatch below, the M1L and M1R are bookending a single plain knit stitch so that you can see the differences between them. The knit stitch in the middle has no slant -- its legs simply aim downward in the "vee" shape typical of all regular knit stitches -- while the others have a clear slant.

Aside from using this increase for waist and shoulder shaping, they are also ideal for thumb gussets on mittens, or anyplace where you need a few paired invisible increases. The main drawback of this type of increase is that it eats yarn from the row below -- so you would not want to work many M1 increases in the same row, or concentrated in a small area, or your fabric will pucker.

Don't worry if you can't remember which way to orient your yarn to twist to the left or right; it's easy to slip the bar of yarn back off the needle and try again until it looks right.

Increase Tutorial: YO!

Sarah

In my last post, we explored the "K-Fab" increase (knit into front and back, or kfb). Today, I'm going to walk you through the basic yarn over increase, also known as "yarn forward," abbreviated "yo" or "yfwd" in knitting patterns. If you want to knit lace -- and at some point in your knitterly life, I assure you, you will want to knit lace, because it exerts some kind of crazy magnetic pull -- knowing how to work yarn overs is essential, because all lace patterns are made up of varying combinations and arrangements of yarn overs and a few basic decreases.

Normally when we work knit stitches, the yarn is held in the back, as in the photo below.

To work a yarn over increase, we have to bring the yarn forward (hence the term "yarn forward) between the needles to the front of the work, as in the photo below. (To work a yarn over on the purl side, where the yarn is usually in front, you would bring the yarn to the back and then over the needle to work a yarn over.)

When we go to knit the next stitch, we then bring the yarn over (hence the term "yarn over") the needle. See how it's resting there on the right-hand needle?

Make sure the yarn over doesn't slip off the needle as you knit your next stitch, or when you're working across the wrong side. Because it's just looped over the needle, it's not very secure until it's been worked on the next row.

Here, you can see how the yarn over creates a hole. Like knitting into the front and back of a stitch, a yarn over is a "visible" increase, and a very nice decorative one at that. Of course, if you wanted the holes (eyelets) without increases, you'd just work a corresponding decrease each time you worked the yarn over -- for example, by knitting two stitches together after each yarn over. 

Interestingly, a yarn over can also be turned into an invisible increase: if you twist the stitch when you work the yarn over on the next row or round, you can close it up, rendering it nearly invisible.