Product or Process

It's been a couple of weeks full of surprises and gifts. A huge life change (more about that later) and being the recipient of a moment of pure generosity.

Are you a product knitter or a process knitter? I am a little of both, but primarily I'm about the product. I want the garment. Sure, I love to knit it, but I want the finished item. In fact, if you ask my husband, it's pretty hard to get me to knit for anyone else. I've knit myself a whole wardrobe! Then there's my pal Kiana or Patrick who will find a pattern they love, or yarn they love and just knit. Patrick usually says "I don't know who I'll give it to, but I have to knit this". Well Saturday I was lucky enough to be with Patrick when he was showing off his latest work. It was a cabled vest made from beautiful hand dyed J-Knits Mohair. It was a soft rose color and it was SOOOO pretty. I told him I loved it, and a few minutes later, he handed it to me and said "I want you to have this". I teared up. Nobody has ever just handed me something so pretty. I was knocked over. Here I am happily wearing a beautiful hand knit, NOT knit by me



My own hand knits are coming along. I've put aside the Cotton Bam Boo Top, so I can finish my Lotus Blossom Tank. I'm doing tons of modifications (like everyone has). It's funny how many people "almost" like this pattern, yet we like it enough to knit it and make it our own. I'm following, as my base, the modifications on Lickety Knit. However, because my gauge is so insane, I have to do a lot of my own. I'm using Alchemy Silk Purse, which is supposed to be 22 stitches per 4"on a US 5. I get 25 stitches per 4" on a US 6!!!!

Here's how it's looking so far


I decreased 28 stitches instead of the 14 called for, and knit the garter rows and another 3/4" of stockinette. Then I increased back up to the original 200 stitches. My gauge is tight and it seemed to fit me better that way. I went back to a US 5 to maintain my gauge when I divided for front and back.

Here's my five lotus blossoms/alien heads (instead of the 4 the pattern calls for)


I love the color variation in the yarn. It really shows up in the stockinette


As for my other news . . . this week I started an exciting new job with Lion Brand Yarn. They are opening a New York flagship Studio, and I was hired as the Studio Manager. I don't want to give away to much right now (stay tuned for details), but it's going to be a center for learning, sharing, & special events. The real focus of the studio is to teach and inspire.

What I've been most struck by in my first week is the passion and dedication of everyone working for Lion Brand. It's a family owned business and has been run by the same family for 130 years, which is pretty special. I have a lot of work to do in the next few months, but it's an exciting project to be involved with. I'm honored to be working with so many people who have such a passion for fiber arts. The design department is a constant buzz developing new yarns, patterns, colors. It's all pretty inspiring.