Fiber Facts

The regular blog column "Fiber Facts" presents the scientific side of fiber. Most of these are written by our science specialist, Jordynn. If you have a topic you would like her to research and write about, send us an email.

Here's a list of previous columns, arranged in alphabetical order by topic.

• Felting (How does it happen?).
• Knots (Why yarn tangles).
• Lanital (Milk Fiber).
• Mercerized Cotton (What is this process?)
• Silk (How it's made).

Bryher FO and a WIP

I know I haven’t posted forever, mostly because this semester has been super busy, and because I’m mainly working on some secret projects. But I did finish my Bryher scarf:

I used 2 skeins of Classic Elite Studio, which I got from a Craigslist purchase, and 1 skein of Rowan Kidsilk Night.

I like the somewhat sparkly effect, although I’m not sure if you can tell from the pictures.

I’m also *actually following someone else’s pattern*… sort of. I’m making the White Ribbed Cardigan from the Fall 2008 Vogue Knitting. If you make it, make sure to check the errata because there were quite a few errors. (Personally, I was shocked to see that practically every pattern in that issue had a ton of corrections… ).

Here’s what mine looks like so far:

I’m using Malabrigo Chunky in Applewood, which I totally love knitting with. But I’ve already used up 2 skeins and I just set up the raglan increase rows. So this is going to be a costly sweater. I think I have 10 skeins total, so we’ll see how it goes. I’m thinking that I might make it cropped, with short sleeves, depending on how much yarn I have. I saw a WIP photo from Rhino’s Ravelry page and kind of love how it looks.

I’ve decided to use garter stitch instead of seed stitch for the body, basically because seed stitch is a pain in the ass in large quantities. So hopefully it will turn out!

New Pattern - Celia Cruz Strapless Top

My new pattern, Celia Cruz, is now available up on Ravelry and available for purchase.

Celia Cruz is knit top down in the round, using Cascade Sierra (or any light worsted, cotton/wool blend yarn, such as Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece).

Directions are included for optional straps, which can be worn a number of ways:

For maximum versatility, I’ve provided directions for both a babydoll verison (above) and a fitted version (below).

To ensure a perfect fit, I’ve provided 14 different sizes, from XXS to XXL+ (based on above bust measurements of 28,30,32,34,36,38,40,42,44,46,48,50,52, and 54". Use your above bust measurement (not your regular full bust measurement) to determine your size; the bust shaping will help you to customize the fit in the bust area. Full instructions are provided for bust shaping using both horizontal and vertical bust darts (especially recommended if you are a C-cup or above).


Cuban salsa singer Celiz Cruz (1925-2003) inspired this quick and fun summer pattern. Born in Cuba, Cruz spent most of her life singing and recording in the United States, but she was known throughout the world as the “Queen of Salsa.” By the end of her career, she had 23 gold records and 3 Grammy’s to her name.

The floral motif for this strapless tube top is reminiscent of Cruz’s 1960s style.


Celia Cruz makes a quick and easy summer project, and a perfect top for summer jeans, capris, shorts and skirts.

Our Patterns

Here is a Catalog of all of our patterns.

Click the links to learn more about each pattern. Scroll down for a list of our Free patterns.

Our Patterns

Nella Cropped Cardigan, $3.95

Plath Cropped Cardigan, $3.95





Desdemona Beaded Lace Shawl, $3.95

Celia Cruz Convertible Tank Top, $3.95

Flatiron Mitts, $2.95



Euclid Fair-Isle Tee, $4.50



Chopin Cabled Handwarmers, $2.95



Clarissa Summer Shrug, $2.95



Dalloway Eyelet Shrug, $3.95

Xylem V-Neck Sweater, $2.95

 

Free Patterns

Covalence Skinny Scarf

Teddy Bear Rollneck Sweater

Crochetastic Tote

Bryher Cable Skinny Scarf

Buffy Tricolor Eyelet Scarf

Julian's Blanket

Mr. Fatty Ribbed Hat

Madame Luscious Noro Mobius

Julian's Stripy Socks

Chevron Baby Washcloth

Sugar Cubes Baby Washcloth

Eyelet Twist Washcloth

 
 Pisces Baby Washcloth

New CanadianBaconBarbie site!!!!

Direct yourself and your browser to: http://canadianbaconbarbie.com/

My birthday present from my wonderful sister Megan and her wonderful husband Liam!!! Thank you!!!

Sorry blogger. :P

Those Crazy Swedes

I also found this vintage travel guide for Sweden, which I thought was pretty enjoyable. I've wanted to visit Sweden for a long time now, but if I have a chance to wear a red or white leotard and frolick in the grass while doing some sort of rhythmic gymanstics, then I am *definitely* on board!

I like this one because I lived in Pennsylvania for 5 years and was often in precisely this position, with two kids and a dog in the backseat of my car, all rolling about with no seat-belts. I used to have a yellow hair band and matching cardigan just like that one, and my man always wore a crisply pressed shirt and never got pissed off when we had to stop and ask for directions.

Some Maps from the Good Old Days

When people took car trips together without the aid of electronic mindnumbification devices so the kids would shut up and stop annoying them. When the friendly guy at the Esso station in a bow tie and matching cap would give you directions, and everyone had a cheerful grin rather than the pouty expressions that car trips currently evoke. I found these at the thrift store for 25 cents a piece and couldn't resist.

Wacky Stuff on Women's Bodies from The Olden Days

I was in the library today looking for some stuff on the history of women's education and got side-tracked by some weird old books on women, education, and bodies. I found this 1880 text, The Coming Woman: The Royal Road to Physical Perfection, where a lecturer and teacher of anatomy, physiology, and hygiene named Eliza Barton Lyman provides the following useful advice: (seriously. You can't make this stuff up).

1. Don't marry someone with a large brain and small neck, especially if he kind of looks like you: "Take a man and woman of equally refined nervous constitutions, with large brains, small necks and chests, weak muscles, similar color of hair, eyes, complexion and conformation of head; let them marry, and if children come, they will be puny and short-lived in most cases, intensely excitable, disposed to brain and nervous disturbances" (195).
   
2. Pregnant women should not have sex since they "as a rule, are averse to the sexual union during the period of gestation, and if a desire should be manifested at the time, it may be regarded as the result of some abnormal condition: perhaps from ulceration of the womb, leucorrhea, granulation of the vagina" (219). According to Lyman this can also cause epilepsy in the unborn child and give it a "stupid, animalized look" (221) and "the idiotic condition" (221).
   
3. Men should be forewarned that "an excessive loss of semen is just as destructive to physical, mental, and spiritual upbuilding, as a daily drainage from the arteries would be" (222). Semen is composed of "the best arterial blood" and would otherwise be directed to the brain or muscles. One ounce of semen equals 40 ounces of blood.
   
4. After a baby is born, you should coat its entire body in vaseline or, if that is not available, oil from chickens or turkeys (which is preferable to vegetable oils since it is "more penetrating and softening, and less gluey" (234).
   
5. Don't let your baby wear a diaper for too long, since this can destroy "the balance of the body" and produce "the extreme of 'toeing out,' bow legs, halting gait, etc.'" (240).
   
6. "It is the duty of every woman to make herself as attractive as possible, and thus be enabled to do a greater amount of good in the world" (298). If your husband cheats on you, it is your fault for not keeping yourself "sweet and pretty".
   

Pre-warding Part II

As a preward for sending my manuscript out on Monday. (or Tuesday. At the latest.) I checked out the following books from the library:

• Laura Esquivel - Como Agua Para Chocolate
• Cristina Garcia - A Handbook to Luck
• Mahmoud Dowlatabadi - Missing Soluch
• Neil Bissoondath - The Unyielding Clamor of the Night
• Barbara Gowdy - Helpless

Yay! Fun reading!

I also bought myself a rubber tree plant. It seemed appropriate.