Some beautiful photos were taken, many of which would appear in the final book, but my favorite pictures from the shoot are among the outtakes: Here’s just a sample:

Well, I was beginning to think it would never happen, but that book is finally in print. I received an advance copy this week, and I’m very proud of it on a number of levels.

Here’s the final spread of the project featured in the previous outtake video:

That kid is now two years older, making this book kind of like a time capsule for both a brief moment in my career history and my favorite person’s young life.

But I also invested my heart in this book and really felt passion for it as it took shape. The entire layout was completed when I left that job, but due to circumstances no one could predict, it looked like the book would never be released. I’m very happy that it will be.

I loved all of the projects (I helped select every one), but in the end, I liked one of them so much, I bought the original sweater from the designer, Leah Bear (“Isaac’s Aran,” shown on the right–it looks better on me). So, until November, I have a one-of-a-kind sweater, the only sample of this particular pattern, and I’ve already had two winters to wear it.

A part of me likes the original cover (shown on left) better, but I don’t know if that’s really because more than one project is featured or whether it’s just nostalgia talking. In any event, regardless of the cover, this is a must-have for any sophisticated knitter’s library.

I’m happy to have it on my own shelf, but I’m even more happy to have it on the shelves of Barnes and Noble, where I hope you’ll check it out in a few months and see for yourself. Even if the 25 original patterns don’t grab you, how could you pass up the cutest two-year-old model you’ve ever seen?

I just started knitting again in earnest a couple days ago, but getting a couple hours in each day has already gotten me to the point where strands of the alternating color are beginning to emerge as fish: 

As this is my first time working with more than one color, I’m learning a lot about yarn management. There’s a lot of strands to keep track of on the wrong side. Here’s the back, for everyone who wants all the gory details: 

As excited as I am to be moving forward on this sweater, I must say that a part of me is dreading finishing it. I hate weaving in ends as a rule, but they might just become a nightmare on this project. 

That’s all. I just felt the need to report on the most self-indulgent fun I’ve had at that site since another one of my other instructables won one of their many contests.

Rather than choose between intarsia and Fair Isle techniques, I made the ambitious decision to take on a sweater that incorporates both. Here’s the pattern photo (Louisa Harding’s Fish Pullover from A Treasury of Rowan Knits) and the gauge I worked up last July:

Because this is my first attempt at colorwork (beyond a three-hour class I took ages ago), it’s even more slow-going than usual (at least it feels like it, though I know my lace sweater took forever too). Anyway, over the break, I managed to finish the Fair Isle border for the back. Here’s a detail, because I couldn’t get a good photo of the whole thing:

I must say I’m rather pleased with my progress (aside from the time it’s taken me). Since this photo, I’ve actually moved up to the bottoms of the first few fish, beginning the intarsia bit, though not enough to photograph or say much more about it.

I do hope to dip into this project a little more regularly now, so wish me luck. If all goes well, I may just post an update before another couple seasons have passed.

Modern knitters are simply in love with luxury yarns and the stylish items they can make from these opulent, irresistibly touchable materials. Sensual Knits feeds their hunger for fashionable projects made with the finest merinos, alpacas, silks, cashmeres, and angoras. Beautiful models display the clothing, and every exquisitely photographed garment provides a stunning example of how classic can also be very sexy. A textured jacket features a nipped waist that hugs a woman’s curves, a bishop-sleeved sweater has a daringly plunging neckline, and there are camisoles, silky negligees, and evening dresses too. And be assured: these pieces will look great for years to come, not just for a single season. Any advanced beginner who has mastered the basics can handle these patterns.

And here’s a sneak peek, provided on the book’s product page at my company’s brand-new web site (update: more project photos on Yahaira’s blog):

Though I came aboard just in time to catch the very tail end of the process for this book, I’m thrilled to be starting from scratch on the direct follow-up in what promises to be a fabulous series (see also Sensual Crochet, which is another January 2008 title available now). I’m actively soliciting contributions to this new boook now, so if you’re a knitwear designer and like what you see here, please contact me for more details.

Here’s a screenshot of the projects in my notebook, a place to collect my various FOs and WIPs:

Here’s what a page for a particular project looks like:

And here’s the beginning of my library:

The site also allows you to join groups, organize your stash, network with stitching friends, share pattern information, feed posts from your blog (though this feature isn’t working for me yet), and a lot more.

It’s still invitation only, with quite a waiting list, but I get the impression they’re rolling out access a lot more quickly now, so I’d recommend getting in line as soon as possible. I look forward to seeing you there. If you want to find me and check out all of my knitting projects I have records of all in one place, I’ll be right here.

UPDATE: It’s just been brought to my attention that pages on the site are not viewable by nonmembers. That’s a real bummer and doesn’t make much sense to me. You’d think that opening up viewing would help build interest in the site.

I’ve felt guilty lately about using it to mop up a leaky something-or-other around the house (it was the closest thing to hand), and I was just about to transfer it to the trash from the pipe it’s been hanging on in the garage, when it occurred to me that there might be a chance to save it yet. I’ve been meaning to learn to felt, and this wool piece seemed to be just the thing to experiment with. The process was pretty straightforward, and I think it felted up pretty well, helping to turn my tattered fabric into a Muppet-fur pelt, ready for altering:

So, I’ve just turned my very first knitted object into my very first felting project. But what to do with it now? Any ideas?

At last, I picked up and knit the collar:

… and put it all together:

I’m pretty happy with how it turned out, and I still can barely believe I actually finished it!

Now, on to the next project …

This is my first attempt at lace work, and I’m quite pleased with the results so far. Having finished the rather plain front and back, in addition to this first sleeve, I’ve got just one more sleeve, the collar (also in the lace pattern), and final seaming to go. It’s starting to look like I might actually finish this one!

So, without further ado, here’s how to do it:

1. Knit the first stitch on the row as you normally would. We’ll call this Stitch 1.
2. Knit the second stitch as you normally would. We’ll call this Stitch 2.
3. Insert your left needle through the front of Stitch 1 on the right needle.
4. Drag Stitch 1 over Stitch 2.
5. Pull Stitch 1 completely off the needle, leaving Stitch 2 on the needle.
6. Stitch 2 remains on the right needle, and you’ve just bound off your first stitch (Stitch 1). Rename the remaining stitch (Stitch 2) to Stitch 1 and repeat steps 2-5 until you reach the end of the row.

When just one stitch remains on your right needle, simply snip off your yarn, leaving about 5 inches of tail to pull through the opening of that last stitch and draw it tight. You’ll be left with a nice, finished edge that looks something like this:

And that’s it. Here’s that video I promised, which will take you less time to watch than it’s taken for you to read this post: