kitty: what's on the needles

It isn't done yet, I still need to add the border to the edge, but I just had to share the photos of my progress on my Victorian version of a hap shawl and what is on the needles this month. (Since I am using my own hand spun I knew I didn't have enough yarn for a full hap shawl) During the Victorian age there was a half version of the hap shawl designed mainly for the tourism market since it would save yarn. Here is the version that I have designed based loosely on Sharon Miller's book and other references that I found on hap shawls. The thing that really impresses me the most about hap shawls is how easy the math in the calculations were in creating the shawl. I couldn't be happier with the end product. And I keep looking at the yarn and saying you know... I spun that.
	Shetland Hap Shawl by Sharon Miller Hap shawls are all about everyday warm shawls. Since they weren't considered special, few of them have survived through out history, even though more of these plain shawls were sold than the fancy lace shawls. The book is mostly an exploration of the history of the hap shawl. And like the hap shawl itself there are not a lot of formal patterns within the book. Sharon Miller clearly defines the mathematical equation to create a hap shawl and she shows you the historical colour combination for the stripes.
from a previous post that I wrote --- kitty:my thoughts on square shawl construction "Border Inwards" Traditional Hap Shawl 19th century This shawl is knit in two pieces. The center is knit as a diamond in garter stitch. The big difference is the outer length of each of the outer borders are cast on and worked to the center. Then the center edges are grafted together traditionally using the Herringbone Stitch or Mattress stitch. Miller, Sharon 2006. "Heirloom Knitting's Shetland Hap Shawls" "Border Inwards" Modern Hap Shawl 1880's This shawl is knit in one piece if knitted in the round. The center is knit as a diamond in garter stitch. Then the outer stitches on all sides are picked up and knit outwards. (Note: If you do not work this shawl in the round you would do the method described above under Traditional Shetland Shawl.) Miller, Sharon 2006. "Heirloom Knitting's Shetland Hap Shawls"
Other Patterns: Ysolda - Hap Blanket | Hazel Carter The Hap Shawl |

kitty: Olga Buraya-Kefelian releases the pattern for Prissy's Mittens / Gloves - Check them out.

There are not to many times in your life that you will have a pattern named in honor of you. Thank you so much, Olga!!! I feel so very honored and happy on so many levels. Meet the Prissy's Mittens / Gloves Pattern by Olga Buraya-Kefelian Olga knitted me these adorable gloves for my Christmas Gift this year. She knew that I was a glove girl and absolutely love kitties. So really there couldn't have been a more perfect gift.
She is now offering the pattern over on Ravelry to anyone that wants to make these adorable Faroe isle feline face pattern gloves. They are really a treasue to own. Click here to check them out on Ravlery.

kitty: happy earth day

Happy Earth Day

kitty: Yarn A Day Challenge Update

1. Yarn Every Day Challenge - April 21, 2. Yarn Every Day Challenge - April 20, 3. Yarn Every Day Challenge - April 20, 4. Yarn Every Day Challenge - April 19, 5. Yarn Every Day Challenge - April 19, 6. Yarn Every Day Challenge - April 18, 7. Yarn Every Day Challenge - April 17, 8. Yarn Every Day Challenge - April 17, 9. Yarn Every Day Challenge - April 16, 10. Yarn Every Day Challenge - April 15, 11. Yarn Every Day Challenge - April 15, 12. Yarn Every Day Challenge - April 14, 13. Yarn Every Day Challenge - April 14, 14. Yarn Every Day Challenge - April 13, 15. Yarn Every Day Challenge - April 13

kitty: Kimono: The 20th- Century Masterworks of Itchiku Kubota - Canton, OH: April 18, 2009 (Canton Museum of Art) Cont.

Back in February I posted about - Kimono: The 20th- Century Masterworks of Itchiku Kubota - Canton, OH: Feb 8 - April 26, 2009 (Canton Museum of Art) M and I finally made it up to Canton yesterday. I would have been very sad to have not gotten to see Itchiku Kubota Kimono's again while they were in the United States. His work really is breath taking to behold. They were even hanging properly so you were able to see the beauty unobscured by glass and hanging from floor to ceiling. A way textiles are seldom shown in museums due to the exposure to the lights, human beings, and environment. It was certainly a rare treat to be able to look at the ink paintings just inches from the surface. Though I was somewhat upset with comments that I was hearing of other people who were viewing the show. It really made me realize what little exposure we have to high quality silk in this country and embroidery craftsmen. In the photo you can also see what I am currently knitting. Sock Pixie a couple of weeks ago dyed a collection of Roving inspired by the catalogue for the collection. I picked up a couple of ounces of several of the colour ways (This one is Blue Trace of Hope in the Snow). This one hopefully will be a Hap Shawl. I just hope I have enough yarn.

kitty: news - sadness- a loss to the world in so many ways - The Textile Conservation Centre closes Nov 2009 confirmed

About 2 years ago I read that the University of Southampton was looking for additional funding and or moving there Textile Conservation department to another University. The Textile Conservation department at the University of Southampton has been responsible for the training probably half of the leading textile conservators in the world. And those that they did not train were probably taught by former students. I know I worked under several of there former students. Some of the most significant textile restoration projects in the world have all used there services. The Staff, Minds, Skills, all in one place under one room at The University of Southampton can not be found elsewhere. But the Department will be closed November 1, 2009. The staff will be shattered to the wind and the world will loose one of its most precious resources. This breaks my heart. I know I have talked many times about my horrible college experience. Being there at the death of 5 different departments that I was enrolled in while trying to get my education. That was 15 years ago, when the largest university in the world could not justify the importance of historical endeavors. When will universities realize that once this knowledge base is lost it really is lost forever. This is truly catastrophic news. The fate of the worldwide conservation training is in jeopardy. How are we to learn about the mistakes of our past to learn about the future if those items of history are lost due to lack of knowledge. We will enter into the Dark Ages Again! The Textile Conservation Centre Save the Textile Conservation Center Statement of the Textile Conservation Center Confirmed International Council of Museums - Committee for Conservation PS. I just told M the news, and I don't think he really understood the impact. His response was look at everything else that is closing around the world. And my comment to him was, well how would you feel if I told you they were closing CERN Labs because of lack of money.... No less significant to my field.

kitty: yarn every day challenge april 4 - 12

see the entire set

1. Yarn Every Day Challenge - April 12, 2. Yarn Every Day Challenge - April 12, 3. . Yarn Every Day Challenge - April 12, 4. Yarn Every Day Challenge - April 12, 5. Yarn Every Day Challenge - April 11, 6. Yarn Every Day Challenge - April 10, 7. Yarn Every Day Challenge - April 9, 8. Yarn Every Day Challenge - April 8, 9. Yarn Eveyr Day Challenge - April 7, 10. Yarn Every Day Challenge - April 6, 11. Yarn Every Day Challenge - April 5, 12. Yarn Every Day Challenge - April 4

kitty: in your easter bonnet

Happy Easter

Hats by Amy Hamilton Partners in Life and Art, an exhibition featuring the work of artists Paul and Amy Hamilton at the Franklin Park Conservatory. See some of her other amazing hats.

kitty: Pints & Purls Books Signing Columbus, OH at Wonder Knits

Soap in the Boobs - Everyone needs a "Goody Bar" of soap

So if you were in Columbus thursday night you really missed our on a fun night at WonderKnits. Karida & Libby had there second book signing at Libby's very cute store. Here are some of the highlights and you can see the rest over on my flickr account.

Grandma Ruth (Libby's adorable Grandmother) and Karida admiring Olga's beautiful handy work!

I just loved this photo of Karida as she modeled her new scarf knit out of Mia's hand spun goodies.

Winelips herself

The cupcakes really were that good!!

Everyone needs a sweater for there wine and beer bottle.

kitty: book signing at WonderKnit! April 9, 2009 for Pints & Purls

	Hey... If you missed the first Book Signing in DC on April fourth you can catch the 2nd one here in Columbus. When: THIS THURSDAY, April 9, 6-9 PM Where: WonderKnit! Who: Karida Collins & Libby Bruce 3165 N. High Street Columbus, Ohio 43202 Phone: (614) 261-YARN And if you haven't had a chance yet to check out Libby's adorable store, this is a perfect chance.
Check out the first booksigning photos: Karida's Flickr Photos - AvaRuth's photos

kitty: art exhibtion -current - may 11, 2009 - embroidered textiles from India and Pakistan - The Rubin Museum of Art

Jhuladi (Boys garment) - photo The Rubin Museum of Art
Art Exhibitions: The Rubin Museum of Art in NYC is showing a collection of amazing embroidered textiles from India and Pakistan. So if you are in the NYC area before May 11, 2009 it looks like it would certainly be cool to check out. I wish I could go. :( The collection is on loan from The Textile Museum of Canada who is known to have the more impressive collection of South Asian textiles in the west.
	Collection consist of the following groupings: Court & Commerce Embellishing the Home Embroidery & Identity Pasture, Farm, & Village Ceremonies & Celebrations
photos: The Rubin Museum of Art

kitty: update yarn a day challenge 2009

April 5 - Medium Gray Corriedale Silver Since I knew I would be getting back from DC late, I left this yarn on the bobbin. So I took it off the bobbin and set it before I went to bed. Not exactly spinning on the 5th, but yarn making.
April 4 - Where there is a will there is a way. I have broken my spindle, so the only thing I had was a pencil and a paperclip. It worked. Just a bit of a challenge. I remember Andrea writing about being bored at work a long time ago so I knew it could be done. Spun on a fruit pencil with a paperclip. Hog Island Sheep Roving Larger View: Photo 1
	April 3 Dark Blue-Faced Leicester Top 1oz sampler Larger View: Photo 1 - Photo 2 - Photo 3

kitty: yarn a day challenge 2009

Yarn a Day Challenge So how much trouble can you get yourself into on Twitter? The answer would be to sign up for Yarn a Day Challenge for the month of April. Tara of Blonde Chicken Boutique came up with the idea of challenging herself to spin a yarn everyday this month. So being the great enabler she is, she tweeted about it. Next thing I knew I had agreed to participate. All things kindof took off: Ravelry - Flickr group. The idea is to spin every day and challenge yourself.
	April 1 - Washed Moorit Merino Lambswool Fleece 1oz sampler Spun from the locks and plyed with Habu Silk and Stainless Steel Larger View: Photo 1 - Photo 2 - Photo 3
	April 2 Dark Coopworth Roving 1oz sampler Larger View: Photo 1 - Photo 2 - Photo 3