Fiber

This is a selection of knitted items I have made. Some are experiments; designed to solve a problem. Others are carefully crafted adaptations of commercially available patterns. Each work teaches me more about the craft, my abilities, and reminds me that in this craft the journey and finished object can be equally treasured. My blog will give more information on many of these pieces.

Boxer Shorts - 2010

As part of a knitalong with my knitting boys, I made a pair of knitted boxers! - striped green and beige/brown, they turned out pretty well... we posed for a "group photo" at the Men's Spring Knitting Retreat at Easton Mountain, NY, May, 2010.

John and Chuck went "above and beyond" and also knit coordinating socks... (Kenny and I did not get that memo!)

Desert Sunset - 2010

I began this top down raglan with SWS Patons in color Natural Wood for neck and intend to use this for the cuffs and neckline - decided to start with this till the short rows are complete… then adding scraps of brown yarns from a previous project that used many different fibers. I knitted the entire body in a weekend, the first sleeve after work during the week and at Stitch and Bitch on Thursday, finishing it up on Friday night. The second sleeve was knit entirely on Saturday, and on Sunday (8/16/09) I knit the neckband. 9 days to complete a sweater; pretty crazy!

Technicolor - 2009

Completed in 13 days (August 16-29, 2009) - using a basic top-down raglan knitting pattern and adding a technique of alternating 2 yarns every 2 rows, I created this sweater using 12 different skeins of Noro Kureyon wool yarn. Exploiting the subtle color changes, I was careful to try to blend the end of one skein with the beginning of another.

The neckband, waistband and cuff ribbings were done with the more "neutral" color of the alternating two. I decided that because of the way the colors change that it's probably best to just let the colors do their work. There's no way to know what a sweater like this will look like until it's knitted - the yarns all change so randomly that it's always a surprise! I am planning on doing another of these sweaters, but next time I plan on buying 6 of one colorway and 6 of another colorway (or a solid) and striping this way...

[2nd Place] Los Angeles County Fair, 2009 "Men Knit Too" Contest

Pinwheel Blanket - 2009

A friend showed me a baby blanket she made for her new daughter - I instantly fell in love with this pattern and after her convincing me how easy it was (it IS easy!) I decided to take a collection of yarns I had and make an adult sized blanket. I grouped the yarns in order of how I wanted to stripe them, bagged them (together if I intend to strand more than one at a time) and numbered the bags in this case, 1-36. I just followed the pattern, and changed the color of yarn every 2 or 4 rounds.

This piece started and ended with some amazing yarn from Manos del Uruguay - in one of my favorite colors. I am happy to have found a use for all these novelty yarns, single balls, etc. I’m using some beautiful handspun, vintage yarn, and even the yarn I had made through VIP Fibers of my cat Winky's fur! The final blanket is just over 4' across.

Forest Canopy Wrap - 2009

Completed: July 12, 2009 - Began July, 2008 after a class in freeform knitting & crochet, the recent months have driven me to finish this work. The button on the wrap is a converted button from Edgar Berebi, and the base of the piece is a felted fleece from Ozark Handspun. More can be read on the blog post announcing the completion of this work HERE.

2009 Los Angeles County Fair Awards:
[1st Place] Division 2350, Class 3, Freeform Knitting or Crochet
[Best of Show] Division 2350, Freeform Knitting or Crochet

Life Before the Cure - 2009

Completed: May 13, 2009 - This was a collaborative project with Los Angeles Based artist Lisa Anne Auerbach. After discovering her work online through her website, I began to talk with her through email and we quickly became friends. She was gracious enough to invite me to her studio where she showed me how she makes her amazing sweaters... I was in awe at the design and talent, but also the process. Generously, she offered a workshop through The Public School, where around a dozen artists met to learn how to develop a viable design for our own sweaters. Mine is based on the idea that once a cure exists (to disease, famine, whatever) it's easy to forget the struggle prior to that realization. I wanted to make a sweater in honor of those I know who fought (either winning or losing) battles with Cancer, among other fights, that would hint to the idea that one day we'll find a cure to the plight and the fight will be over. Lisa was amazing to help me with my sweater, and the experience is one that taught me much more than I can begin to know at this moment.

[2nd Place] Los Angeles County Fair, 2009, Machine Knitting

Jason's Comfort Blanket - 2008

Approx. 72" x 64" blanket created for an online friend battling cancer in Holland. Collaboration with knitters and crocheters around the globe. Described in THIS post on my blog, the blanket was a true labor of love. Each 8" x 8" square was attached to its neighbors using three needle bind off, and a beautiful crochet border was added by Doug Laughlin and Ivar Asplund.

[Private Collection, Amsterdam, Holland]

Top Down Wool Raglan - 2008

Yarn: Elsebeth Lavold Silky Flammé

How Much: 15 Skeins (I had a little left over)

Colorway: 006 Sienna

Completed: June 14, 2008

Knitted using a simple pattern based on "common sense" much like those devised by Elizabeth Zimmerman, this raglan was a fun and quick knit! Photographed November, 2008 at the entrance to the Point Bonita Lighthouse, San Francisco, CA

Elvis the Lamb! - 2008

Yarn: Ozark Handspun and worsted weight handspun (that is made from my cat Winky's hair!)

How much? 1 skein of each

Completed: August, 2008

Took this fun class from Janice Rosema at a shop in Monrovia, CA named Unraveled - it’s a BEAUTIFUL space - and what a fun time we had! I love my lamb - we named him “Elvis” because of the crazy curl of hair he has on the top of his head! Make your own flock - buy her pattern and enjoy playing with the amazing Ozark Handspun!
The “worsted weight” yarn I used is actually handspun yarn from Winky (my cat’s) coat - spun by the talented folks at VIP fibers.

Snowflake Sweater - 2008

Yarn: Louisa Harding Kashmir Aran

How much?
3 skeins = 297.0 yards (271.6m) Light Blue
23 skeins = 1485.0 yards (1357.9m) Dark Blue
3 skeins White

Completed: June, 2008

[3rd Place] Los Angeles County Fair

Dr. G's Memory Vest - 2008

Yarn: Elann Peruvian Highland Donegal

How much? about 10 skeins

Colorway 1240

Completed: June, 2008

[2nd Place] Los Angeles County Fair, 2008

Two Sided Scarf - 2007

Yarn: unknown -

How much: 3 skeins

Completed: November, 2007

A simple silk blend scarf I made for a pen-pal - turned out so wonderful and soft! The pattern was simple: knit one, purl one on one side, then knit across the other side - repeating until you run out of yarn! She loved it... and the blue was perfect to accent her amazing eyes!

Bella's Dress - 2007

Yarn: Sublime Yarns Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK

How much? 7 skeins

Colorway: 0001

Completed: December, 2007