It's a Teva Durham Moment

The remaining mere 5 grams of
Kiddie Print on the left; the
shockingly red Drops Vivaldi in the
center, and the blooming rhodie
from the yard above them

Finished projects, for me, are in some instances more a matter of pleasantly aligning events. My projects this week definitely fall into this category.

I am a big fan of Teva Durham. Former editor of Vogue Knitting and sewer supreme, she's one of the edgy design names in knitting and crochet today. Her Loop-d-Loop series of books (one knit, one crochet) are design tour-de-forces. She's also got a line of yarn (Loop-d-Loop, produced by Takhi Stacy Charles) as well as other knit books.

I've been a big fan of the Loop-d-Loop books. I had two skeins of Laines du Nord Kiddie Print that I wanted to do something fun with. I also wanted to whip up yet another piece of neck/shoulder ware (I do really need to start branching out with greater regularity ... but that's another blog post). All of these things combined pleasantly when I looked through the Durham book and stumbled upon the Sidesaddle Stitch wrap. It was a Eureka! moment. I present (below) my Shibori-esque Bobble Shawlette:

At just under 460 yards and 20" x 42", this was a very quick crochet - as well as shorter than the original wrap. The best part is the bobble edging on either short end. Since I used mohair (and added a strand of Drops Vivaldi in a shocking shade of red so the bobbles are just that much rounder), I found that I could weave the bobbles of one end into the lace at the other end and the shawlette stays together nicely, with no need for a shawl pin. I like this wee little discovery.

Pardon all the sunshine - but can
you see how the bobbles interlace?

 Now if only I would use the Cascade Eco+ I have in stash in a lovely shade of red for a sweater I've been dying to make ...

Finally, I also started another quick project from the book - it's a hat, and I'm almost done piecing it together.

I used left-over sock yarn from my Big Fat Crocheted Shawly Scarf, and I love the motif as well as the color combination. The construction is a little interesting on this hat, which is making for some fiddly finishing. I'm going to gift it, so hopefully the colors will brighten someone's day.

You all know the drill - don't forget to check in over at Andrea's blog and get your fiber fill on this holiday weekend (for those in the U.S.). I hope you take the time, in your own unique way, to remember why we take time out for a Memorial Day weekend.

And then get your b-b-q and craft on.

More Publishing Stuff

This all-Noro pattern book will be getting
some company in my physical library very soon

It seems I can't get out of the way of news regarding new fiber publications. Have you heard the venerable Noro line of yarns is publishing it's own hand knit and crochet magazine? Hang on to your color hats, everyone - the first edition of Noro Magazine is due to be released into the colorful, yarny wild this June. A preview of many of the patterns in the first edition can be viewed - and wait until you see the gems for the making.

While the bulk of patterns in this first edition are knit, there are a few crochet pieces - Yoko Hatta's crocheted slippers, done in Kureyon, should be a big hit (and I don't do socks and slippers!). No doubt for me, the star is the gorgeous use of color and texture throughout the magazine. It is eye-poppingly wonderful. You just want to reach out and touch all of the garments and accessories.

And Noro is slated to publish an all-crochet edition in the fall. Oh yeah.

You know this magazine will make it to my physical library. I'm already rearranging space in my mind as I write this.

What are your favorites? And how many of you already have the Noro in stash to get started? Definitely let me know in the comments below.


UPDATED 5/23/12: A correction above: the crochet book being published in the fall is not affiliated with Noro Magazine, but a Sixth & Spring publication, which can be preordered.

May the Mirror Ball Twirl at Half Mast

We've lost two voices very recently in the music world - Robin Gibb and Donna Summer.

For all of you who danced your way through the 70s, you couldn't have done it without these two voices; Donna Summer in particular. Beep beep, indeed.

We dim all the lights, sweet darlings, one last time.