Ilga's Knitting WorldIlga's Knitting World:2008-08-28T22:28:21ZCopyright (c) 2008, Ilga LejaExpressionEnginetag:ilgaleja.com,2008:08:28Workshop at Shall We Knittag:ilgaleja.com,2008:blog/index.php/site/index/1.582008-08-28T08:06:01Z2008-08-28T22:28:21ZIlga Lejainfo@ilgaleja.comShall We Knit in September. This time it will be a brunch workshop on "Glorious Garter ".
Our host will be Karen Crouch, pictured here in her wonderful shop.
I was there last October and had a wonderful time. This jewel of a yarn shop, nestled in Southern Ontario, a couple of hours outside Toronto, is definitely worth the trip. Beautifully designed and planned by Karen, it is a knitter's Mecca, filled with a huge range of yarns, many of them hand-dyed by local artisans.
She also makes sure that she has all the latest knitting books and designers' patterns available, too. And if she doesn't have what you want, she wants to know about it. Because she'll get it for you--and make sure that the next person who asks will not be disappointed.
The other interesting thing about Shall We Knit is that it is on the way to Stratford. Just think, you could visit the shop on your way to see a play at the Stratford Shakespeare Theatre !
But for 14 September, come for brunch and take in a workshop, too. If you have come to the Kitchener-Waterloo Knitters' Fair, then this can be a great way to round out the week-end. Because New Hamburg is not far from Kitchener.
{extended}
]]>Tidal Streams Scarftag:ilgaleja.com,2008:blog/index.php/site/index/1.632008-08-23T16:24:00Z2008-08-23T17:12:05ZIlga Lejainfo@ilgaleja.com
As the days start to shorten and the breezes have a cool tinge to them, we get ready for scarf season.
Too soon to leave summer behind, though. A light and lacy scarf may be called for before we bring out our thicker, woollen things. So as a farewell to summer and a high sign to autumn, you can make Tidal Streams in the scarf version. Shown here worked in Celestial Merino, colour "Blue Vesuvius".
The gentle ruffle at each end and the bias construction allow the colours in a variegated yarn to cascade and flow. And the striping that results can be unpreditcable, but always pleasing. This is one time when more highly contrasting colours are actually a strong part of the design feature--rather than being a nuisance as they can sometimes be.
Speaking of cascade and flow--the bias movement of the scarf make it wearable in different ways.
As an ascot, with drapey crossover:
Or over the shoulder for for a casual, yet feminine look.
Now with the one pattern, you can have all these options:
A light-coloured shawl for summer evenings
A darker palette for fall or when going out in the evening
A scarf in any colour combination you like --for any time of the year.
Easily adaptable to any width or length, you can make this design in a variety of colours and yarns, for yourself or as a special gift for someone else.
Enjoy!
{extended}
]]>Lucy at the Looptag:ilgaleja.com,2008:blog/index.php/site/index/1.612008-08-20T16:02:01Z2008-08-22T21:57:17ZIlga Lejainfo@ilgaleja.com
Last week-end those of us lucky enough to live in the Halifax area had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with Lucy Neatby at our downtown yarn shop, the Loop Craft Cafe. It was a blustery, rainy day, but you would never guess it from all the sunshine colours around us in the shop. And from Lucy herself in her unmistakeable Lucy-green dress.
For those of you who don't already know about Lucy: She is a wonderful designer, teacher, and now knitting filmmaker. She has released her series of instructional DVD's, called "Knitter's Companion", each containing enough information for a number of individual workshops. She has explored all the intricacies of sock knitting, double knitting, cast-ons and bind-offs, knitting with beads, lace, finishing, well, you name it. And there are more to come. Her two latest DVD's are on intarsia.
At the Loop to display some of her work, meet knitters and show excerpts from her new DVD's, Lucy let us know what she is into now:
Holes! Lots and lots of holes!
Her Emperor's New Vest is an earlier attempt at punching holes through her knitting. Since then she has developed some new patterns that are simply stunning. Like this beautiful capelet that makes the most of a self-striping Noro yarn.
Overseeing the day and hosting the event was the lovely Mimi, one of the owners of the shop:
Thanks, Mimi, to you and Lucy for the great afternoon--and to Corrie for her amazing shortbread cookies!
{extended}
]]>How to Pronounce My Nametag:ilgaleja.com,2008:blog/index.php/site/index/1.552008-08-16T01:53:01Z2008-08-16T14:04:34ZIlga Lejainfo@ilgaleja.com
My last name is more challenging. Except that if you were Latvian, you would know how to pronounce it as it is spelled--since all of Latvian spelling is phonetic. The "j" is prounced like a "y". So Leja is pronounced LAY-a. T(he accent is always on the first syllable in Latvian.)
If you remember Princess Leia in the movie "Star Wars", then you will know how to pronounce my surname.
People also ask me about the origin of my name. It is Latvian. Latvia is one of the Baltic States in northeastern Europe, an independent country only since the 1990's. For the previous 50 years, it had been under Soviet domination.
Both my parents are Latvian. My mother was born and raised in the capital city, Riga, and my father came from a farm in western Latvia, near Liepaja. They fled their country when the Soviets invaded it during the Second World War.
And they ended up in Canada. In Newfoundland, to be precise, which is where I grew up. (Those of you who have seen some of my earlier posts might have noticed a certain bias towards that part of the world, a place I re-visited very recently.)
Strangley, though, I don't speak Latvian--or rather I don't speak it well. We didn't speak it at home after all. But over the years, especially with trips to Latvia, I have learned enough so that I can manage, especially when I am immersed in it.
Every time I return, I am amazed again and again by the wealth of the knitting tradition there. Famous for its elaborated decorated mittens, most of them worked in the Fair-Isle fashion, Latvia boasts a wonderfully unique textile history. Many of you may be familiar with Lizbeth Upitis' book Latvian Mittens, published by Schoolhouse Press .
I could go on and on about Latvian mittens, but I'll wait to do that in future posts...
{extended}
]]>The Guru of Knit-A-Beachtag:ilgaleja.com,2008:blog/index.php/site/index/1.572008-08-12T09:14:00Z2008-08-12T14:53:32ZIlga Lejainfo@ilgaleja.comJane Thornley .
Caught here in action, working together with knitters who have embraced the challenge of knitting a beach this summer, Jane is an endless source of inspiration. Encouraging knitters everywhere to think "outside the box" and put aside rules that restrict, she is not only the "Guru of Knit-a-Beach", but for all forms of adventure knitting.
Advocating the use of colour--lots of colour--and texture and random applications of stitch patterns, her own design work cannot be slotted into any single classification of knitting. Her designs are unique, one-of-kind creations that she does not expect others to duplicate. Rather she calls knitters to explore their individual creativity.
Her designs, then, are road maps, guiding knitters as they experiment on their own. Her "Knit-a-Beach" vest is a case in point.
Her pattern booklet for this vest traces the development of the design and sets out a general template for knitters to follow. Yet where the waves and shoals occur and in what fashion are entirely up to each knitter.
But Jane's reassuring hand, like that of any true guru, is there at every stage.
{extended}
]]>Wish You were Heretag:ilgaleja.com,2008:blog/index.php/site/index/1.562008-08-08T04:57:00Z2008-08-07T21:14:07ZIlga Lejainfo@ilgaleja.com
The beach, as always, beckons. And I, as always, answer its call.
This week I had the great privilege to spend a day at Jane Thornley's Knit-a-Beach at White Point Resort on the beautiful South Shore of Nova Scotia. It was a glorious day, in every way.
Mostly because I got the chance to spend it with a group of remarkable women. The fact that they were also avid knitters was almost secondary. But these women were focussed. And I mean focussed.
Everyone had her own project to evocate the beach. Sheryl (in the middle) was starting a full sweater--with sleeves. Mary Lou (on the right) was making a short-sleeved pullover version. And Pat (at the back) wasn't missing a chance for more pointers.
Here you can see Sheryl's "Beach" evolving, complete with stones, sand, and surf:
I was there to give a workshop on wrapped and dropped stitches, but ended up giving an impromptu mini-class on short rows and other knitting tips and techniques as well.
But mostly I found myself being inspired by these women, by their stories, by their adventurousness in taking on a knitting project that would form itself only in the knitting. One that had no clearly defined plan, just a vision in their minds and hearts.
There was shopping involved, too.
Maggie (on the right), who does the most adventurous knitting I have ever seen, filled her satchel with lots of the Fleece Artist Woolie Silk 3-Ply and Celestial Merino that I had brought along.
It had been a full day. And before returning home, I turned to the beach, for a long, restorative walk.
Already I can't wait until next summer. Perhaps you'll be able to join me. I'll save you a seat.
{extended}
]]>Vacation Knittingtag:ilgaleja.com,2008:blog/index.php/site/index/1.542008-08-05T08:00:00Z2008-08-01T16:22:12ZIlga Lejainfo@ilgaleja.com
As knitters, it's impossible to think of going on vacation and not taking some knitting along. In fact, I spend more time thinking about which knitting project to take than I do about my clothes.
Often I need to do a lot of planning for just the right project or two. Will it be hot? Will there be lots of socializing that would distract me from a complicated stitch pattern? Will I finish too soon and, horrors of horrors, be left with nothing to knit on my needles? Do I want light, summery colours, or do I want something darker and more intriguing? So many decisions.
A good solution, I often find, is a scarf project. And in the case of the Diamonds on the Diagonal pattern, you have two designs within the one pattern. So if you finish one, you can just cast on for the other one.
The lace stitch pattern is easy enough for a beginner lace knitter, but interesting enough for a more experienced knitter as well. Easy to memorize, it can be worked without constant reference to the pattern. So it's perfect for airplane or car knitting--or when sitting around with friends over coffee.
Each scarf uses a single 100-g. skein of yarn. Because it's a lace pattern, 300 m. will go a long way. Use a favourite handpainted one, as I have here, or let a solid colour really show off those flattering diagonal lines.
{extended}
]]>Knitted Cuffstag:ilgaleja.com,2008:blog/index.php/site/index/1.532008-08-01T08:59:00Z2008-07-29T21:30:17ZIlga Lejainfo@ilgaleja.com
Did you think I was serious about knitting your own cuffs, taking inspiration from Linda's Wild Wicked Beads ? Well, I was.
There is a terrific book about the tradition of knitting cuffs and mittens in Norway:
Translated as "Hand Coverings for National and Folk Costumes", this beautifully produced hard-cover book is an absolute feast for the eyes. The photography of the wide range of wrist warmers, mittens and gloves, from the various regions of Norway, each with its distinct motifs and colours, is spectacular. Even if you never choose to make a single thing from the book, you will want to display it on your coffee table or read it in bed at night for relaxation.
You can order it from Nordic Fiber Arts , which is where I found it. Although it is in Norwegian, Nordic Fiber Arts includes an insert of translated terms that help in deciphering the patterns.
In a northern country where winter takes a large chunk out of the year,
keeping hands warm becomes a priority. It is in the Scandinavian
countries where people understand that keeping the wrists warm--a major
pulse point--contributes to over-all body warmth.
There are wrist warmers for men as well as for women.
And remember the idea for something to go with that simple black dress?
Then there are those over-the-top, elaborately decorated gloves that take your breath away, they are so beautiful.
It is impossible to look at these hand and wrist warmers and not feel happy.
{extended}
]]>Wild Wicked Beadstag:ilgaleja.com,2008:blog/index.php/site/index/1.522008-07-29T14:54:00Z2008-07-29T15:21:34ZIlga Lejainfo@ilgaleja.com
And now more talk of beads? But who could blame me when I saw this:
I had promised to let you know when my friend Linda Jones had her wares available for purchase on etsy.com . So now there is a sampling of her amazing beadwork.
Her name, "Wild Wicked Beads" says it all.
Her specialty is beaded bracelet/cuffs. They provide a larger template for her exotic experimentations.
In case you were wondering: These are very comfortable to wear and will set off the simplest garment. In fact, simplest is best. Can't you just imagine wearing a simple black dress and then this:
Wouldn't you like to try knitting a cuff like this?
{extended}
]]>Back from Gros Mornetag:ilgaleja.com,2008:blog/index.php/site/index/1.512008-07-25T21:12:00Z2008-07-24T21:43:58ZIlga Lejainfo@ilgaleja.com
I am back from Western Newfoundland and Gros Morne National Park . We spent the most beautiful, sun-filled days there, surrounded by extraordinary views of mountains plunging into the sea.
We spent our time hiking, swimming, and exploring the rocky shoreline:
One day was spent on our favourite hike of the region: a long descent through mountainous country down to sea level. The beach below afforded us delicious saltwater swimming.
You can see here why this hike is called Green Gardens:
At the end of each day, we feasted on fresh seafood, topped off by the local delicacy, partridge berry (a.k.a. ligonberry) pie.
One evening we even went to the theatre in Cow Head, to the Gros Morne Theatre where we saw an excellent production of the play Tempting Providence . This play is about Nurse Myra Bennet, a remarkable nurse who came from England in the days before health care in Northern Newfoundland and served as nurse, dentist and doctor to the people in those remote communities. Agreeing to a two-year contract, she ended up staying for the rest of her life. She has been called the "Florence Nightingale of the North".
No trip to Gros Morne is complete without a moose sighting. And we were not disappointed.
{extended}
]]>Obsessed with Patterntag:ilgaleja.com,2008:blog/index.php/site/index/1.482008-07-21T23:47:00Z2008-07-11T00:45:59ZIlga Lejainfo@ilgaleja.com
I am obsessed with pattern. I see it everywhere. I can't stop myself from seeing patterns. And what's more, I don't want to stop.
Nature is easy to spot for patterns. She is rife with pattern. She is obsessed as I am.
But the human environment is full of it, too--often in contrast to the fluid lines found in Nature. I can't help it. I love the geometry and symmetry of the built environment, too.
And then there are the places where the two meet, the human hand interacting with Nature, exposing more unexpected, alluring pattern.
I see knitting patterns in all of them. For now, I am struck by the obvious circular shawl inspiration here. Don't be surprised if you see a circular shawl turning up in one of my future designs.
If you want to open up to seeing more pattern in your life, try this experiment:
Take your camera for a short walk. And it can truly be short. (All of the photos in this post were taken early one spring morning as I walked along a single block of the Halifax Waterfront. And I'm showing you only a very small sampling of what I found that day.)
Open your eyes to everything around you. And I mean, everything. Look up, look down, look all around. Look without pre-judgment. Look at things as they are.
And photograph them. Take lots of photos--easy to do with a digital camera--from lots of angles.
Photograph the sky, noting the patterns formed by clouds. Photograph the ground, noticing the pattern of leaves strewn about. Photograph windows, and doors, and groups of children in a playground, and the haphazard confusion of a tangled garden.
No need to hunt for Beauty. Just look.
{extended}
]]>Off to Newfoundlandtag:ilgaleja.com,2008:blog/index.php/site/index/1.492008-07-19T00:18:01Z2008-07-24T13:44:52ZIlga Lejainfo@ilgaleja.comNewfoundand , the place where rock and ocean meet.
A family wedding is the occasion, back in my home town of Corner Brook. After having travelled and lived in western Canada, my nephew Marcus fell in love with the beautiful Dawn from Corner Brook. And now our two families will congregate on familiar ground to celebrate their marriage.
And as much fun as that will be, I am also looking forward to the time after the wedding when I will get to travel again to my favourite part of this planet, Gros Morne National Park.
In the days when I was growing up, this region was not a national park, just the place where we would drive on a Sunday to buy fresh lobsters from the local fishermen, picnic on the shores of one of the picturesque mountain streams, and take the ferry across Bonne Bay from Woody Point to Norris Point and back.
The rocks here are the oldest on the planet:
And the hiking here is like nowhere else.
Wonders at every turn.
You can be sure that I will be taking lots more pictures.
{extended}
]]>Have a Yarn--Shoptag:ilgaleja.com,2008:blog/index.php/site/index/1.502008-07-15T14:21:00Z2008-07-15T15:17:32ZIlga Lejainfo@ilgaleja.com
On a trip to the South Shore yesterday, I could not resist a visit to one of the loveliest yarn shops in Nova Scotia: Have a Yarn Shop in Mahone Bay . It was late in the day. It was raining. And I should have just kept on my way home.
But, having been there before, I knew what to expect:
A wide range of yarns, beautifully displayed, in this atmospheric former country house--now yarn shop. The knitted samples are inspirational and even if you didn't have a knitting project in your mind when you entered, you would certainly leave with several.
Have a Yarn has the most extensive collection of self-patterning sock yarn that I have ever seen in one place:
As well as lots of Fleece Artist yarns. Well, there was a good selection yesterday. But I know that these won't last long. It is worth being placed on the shop's e-newsletter so that you can get early warnings of new shipments of this much-coveted yarn. It doesn't last long once it arrives in the shop.
I had intended a simple browse, a hello to friends at the shop, Karen and Heather:
But that was not to be. A swipe of the well-worn credit card and I left with magazines and more yarn than I really need right now.
One new discovery for me was Tanis Fiber Arts yarn. It is superwash merino with 20% nylon in a fingering weight. Lovely, soft feel in the hand. These 100 g.-skeins are subtly hand-dyed by Tanis in the most gorgeous ranges of both jewel and muted colours. I couldn't resist and walked off with three different colours. More subdued this time, but they suited my mood on the foggy, rainy day. I can't wait to try these out.
I can see this yarn working beautifully with many of my patterns, especially the shawls and scarves and wraps that use fingering weight. Would be great for Sea Urchin , too.
So if you ever have a chance to travel down to the beautiful South Shore of Nova Scotia, do drop in. I know they would love to see you. And if you can schedule your visit for a Tuesday afternoon, you can join other knitters for a bit of social knitting and a cup of tea. What could be better?
{extended}
]]>Scarf `a la Mermaidtag:ilgaleja.com,2008:blog/index.php/site/index/1.472008-07-11T09:20:01Z2008-07-11T20:58:20ZIlga Lejainfo@ilgaleja.com
Not everyone loves--or wants--a poncho. But a shawl or even a scarf...now that's something else. Knitters have asked me about converting some of my designs to simpler shapes and Mermaid is no exception.
It is easy to take the stitch pattern and use it in different ways. For a scarf `a la Mermaid, all you really need are the directions for how to execute the Mermaid Pattern Stitch as well as the Faggotting Stitch which is interspersed with the Mermaid pattern.
It is based on a 12-stitch pattern repeat. Add several Garter Stitches (or Seed Stitches or Moss Stitches) on each side for side borders and you are just about ready to go. You will need to work several rows of your chosen border stitches (e. g., Garter) before you launch into the Mermaid Pattern Stitch. Then follow the pattern for the suggested dispersal of the Mermaid Pattern with Faggotting Stitch pattern.
Work to your desired length--or until you nearly run out of yarn. Then work the same number of rows of border stitches that you used at the start of the project.
How about adding a fringe at both ends? Or a row of tassels? Would that be overkill?
Oh, and don't forget to block! This pattern stitch needs serious blocking.
I look forward to seeing your experimentations.
{extended}
]]>Beaded Farewelltag:ilgaleja.com,2008:blog/index.php/site/index/1.462008-07-07T23:37:00Z2008-07-07T23:52:17ZIlga Lejainfo@ilgaleja.com
And in the midst of all the clatter and clang, this:
A beautiful beaded bracelet/cuff, reflecting peace and serenity, made for me by my treasured colleague and friend, Linda Jones. If you haven't seen the work of this fabulously talented artist, go and take a look at her work on her blog: "Born Under a Bead Sign".
She will soon be selling her work on etsy.com. I'll let you know...
{extended}
]]>
