KNIT-O-MATIC: 03/20/2005

Saturday, March 26, 2005

Lessons in Hand Painted yarns

last night my brother complained about the lack of non-store related stuff on the site (i usually try to avoid subjecting you to my guerrilla photography and writing) and serendipitously i ran into a bit of a snag in the scarf i'm knitting so i figured i'll post it for all.

the project: men's scarf

the yarn: 2 skeins Manos Del Uruguay mix (brown/grey/black)

the needles: 10mm

the stitch pattern: herringbone.

R1: *K2 sts together through the back of the loops, but only release one stitch, keeping the other one on the left needle; repeat from* to end to last st, K1 through the back of the loop.

R2: *P2 sts together, but only release one stitch, keeping the other one on the left needle; repeat from* to end to last st, P1.

repeat these 2 rows. (Cast on 30 sts)

The problem:
take note of the difference in the patterning of the yarn between the top and bottom parts. the first skein knitted up totally randomly and the second was utterly symmetrical, a visual juxtaposition on a grand scale. what were the chances? chaos/control, chaos/control. Regardless, I broke the cardinal rule of working with hand-painted yarns; always alternate your skeins every other row. It isn't hard, you just bring the yarn your are going to switch to up from the front, thereby carrying the other strand up the back.

I guess I was lazy or just didn't think about it. Hubris is what it was. Now, normally i'd allow God's ironic phenomena to work it's magic through my hands. But the scarf is for my Dad who doesn't really get that kind of a joke or see the beauty of the manifestation of the random intelligence of the universe. So i've ripped the scarf back and i'm doing it the right way, working with 2 skeins at a time, alternating them. so far the texture is nicer than berfore, the colours are consistent and the edges are cleaner too.

Thursday, March 24, 2005

Summer's Needful Deal

Summer has arrived at Needful Yarns in the form of crates & crates of yarn - I was there, I saw the gorgeousness in all its glory. The yarn is on it's way and the new summer book is here, 14 patterns for $10 (40% off the usual price).

So here's the "Knitomatic loves Needful" Spring Deal: pre-order the Needful yarn for any top, capelet, poncho, tunic or dress and receive 15% off the regular retail price. You can peruse the New Book or take a peek at earlier patterns online.

Above is my favorite of the year, a tunic in ATON from Needful. ATON is a synthetic suede, very soft & easy to handle with depth of colour. me likey!

Iside - new from Needful Yarns

Aran shell in Iside, a soft linen blend from needful.

Elba - new yarn from Needful Yarns

Capelet in Elba from Needful Yarns. This yarn is so yummy, it's a fine ribbonthat comes in the prettiest colours. I could do a slinky dress from this stuff too! :-)

ATON - new from Needful

Jacket in Needful Aton - rumoured to have it's origins in the design studio of Dolce & Gabanna.

PORTOFINO - lacy top

lacy top - i'd love to make this as a tunic or a dress to wear over a vintage slip!

KIM - bo-ho cap

bohemian cap in Kim

KELLY - Casual Pullover

A fab pullover in KELLY

KELLY - dress

A super fab sun-dress knit sideways in KELLY. you can do this in a solid colour in KIM.

KELLY - sexy tank & hat

A very sexy tank & hat in KELLY. You can also do this in solid colours with KIM.

KELLY - Lace Shell

a lace shell in KELLY: you can also switch this for a solid colour and make it with KIM.

KELLY - Colours

This year's colour selection for Filtes King KELLY from Needful Yarns - KELLY is interchangeable with KIM.

4.5 to 5mm needles, 50g/98m, 55% cotton & 45% acrylic, a soft chainette yarn, easy to knit, with a long colourway (makes stripes), $6/ball.

KIM - twin set

A classic twin set in KIM (tee-hee! its a Kim set!). Easily switch up the yarn for KELLY for more colour.

KIM - Puccini jacket

Puccini Jacket in Kim. Even if you're not inclined to make the dress, wouldn't this jacket be amazin with a tank & pair of Jeans!?

KIM - Puccini Dress Suit

Puccini Suit in KIM - pattern is written for ALL sizes.

KIM - Colours

This year's colour selection for Filtes King KIM from Needful yarns - KIM interchangeable with KELLY.

4.5 to 5mm needles, 50g/98m, 55% cotton & 45% acrylic, a soft chainette yarn, easy to knit with, $5/ball.

Wednesday, March 23, 2005

THE TAKE
SPECIAL TWO HOUR SPECIAL: Thursday March 24, 2005 at 8pm on CBC-TV
Repeating on the Passionate Eye Sunday, April 3 at 10pm ET/PT on CBC Newsworld

Forja factory workers, Freddy and Lalo

Just a few years ago, Argentina was the darling of international investors. It had a seemingly safe economy subscribing to the rules of the global market-deregulation, privatization and downsizing of social programs. And it had a leader, Carlos Menem, who was heralded as a hero in Washington. For many citizens, the dramatic economic collapse in 2001 came as a sudden shock. Tens of thousands watched their life savings disappear, while multinational banks and corporations whisked $40 billion out of the country in the dead of the night. The working and middle classes found themselves facing massive unemployment in ghost towns full of abandoned factories.

FILM WEBSITE: Visit the NFB film website.

Journalists Avi Lewis and Naomi Klein went to Argentina and found something growing in the rubble of the country’s shattered economy: a ‘do-it-yourself’ revolution, a new movement creating concrete alternatives to the global economic model.

Avi Lewis with children

In eight months of shooting with an international crew of activists and young filmmakers, Lewis and Klein found that Argentines did not only take over the streets-throwing out five presidents in three weeks in 2001-they also began to take over the abandoned businesses where they had once been employed. Their goal: to take matters into their own hands and re-start the machines left silent when their bosses locked the doors and fled.

THE TAKE seamlessly weaves first-hand accounts from unemployed workers and their families with a critical overview of macro-economic policies. Contrasting the failed recipe of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) with the shop floor democracy embraced by workers in their ‘recovered companies,’ the film exposes the ideology and effects of the capitalist ‘Wild West.’ It also champions a radical economic manifesto embodied in the workers’ slogan, ‘Occupy, Resist, Produce.’ But what shines through in the film is the simple drama of workers’ lives and their struggles: the demand for dignity and the searing injustice of dignity denied.

This is a fiercely engaging political thriller that pits ordinary workers against the ruling elite and the power of international corporate capitalism.

THE TAKE is directed by Avi Lewis; produced by Avi Lewis, Naomi Klein and Katie McKenna. Executive producer is Laszlo Barna, Barna Alper Productions, in association with the CBC and the NFB.