Now don't get me wrong. Any season is the right season to knit. There is just one thing I do a lot of other stuff! Knitting is one of my favorite things to do but since I also quilt and work on graphic art projects sometimes my favorite things get bumped to the back for just shear lack of time! But when I start to see that little count down for Halloween my mind returns to that wonder staple in my fiber studio and that is KNITTING. Since I have only one project going I thought that I would just talk about one of my favorite knitters who has come such a long way. Debbie Bliss. Back in 1997 we moved to the Emerald Isle. During the long dark days of winter I learned to knit. I loved to visit the shops that held mounds and mounds of that wonderful wool with all if its dazzling colors. Intoxicating! That is the best word that comes to mind to relate any experience with wool and wool shops. Oh I know that there are other fibers now on the market and interesting enough I did not learn to knit on wool. No it was cotton. If I remember correctly I had visited a lovely wool shop (however the owner was less then ..... hummm social) at the time I did not know how to know so asked her what would be the best book or pattern to start with and she gave me a pattern and told me there was two stitches knit and purl after that she gave me some acrylic (yuck) and sent me on my way. Yep that was it. Now I went back home and did thought well if that is it I can do it. After a good attempt I felt I need something else. I wanted details. I wanted a sweater. So I headed down to Eason's book store and found a Debbie Bliss book on how to knit and one on Baby Knits! After reading and looking it over I rang up my husband (Benevolent Dictator) and asked him to find the shop in London. And so when he entered the store..... there she was. Jim then set about purchasing every book that she had written at the time and loads of cotton to make up some baby knits. While he was there I instructed him to get her autograph on each of the books that he purchased. I am sure that she did not know what to think but in my eyes she was a star already and I was not going to miss the opportunity of getting her to sign her work. I love the different way the artful creations hung on the models. How she incorporated the color and the different textures of the cable stitches. Even now I will pull her books down off my shelf and become inspired to create that special item. So here to day I have taken a couple of picks to show you my first knitted project. I was expecting my 4th child (in Ireland that was considered a gentleman's size family) and I wanted something to adorn this little pumpkin. Cotton I feel is the best feeling against it's delicate skin and after a few quick peeks in Debbie Bliss's Quick Knits for Baby I settled on the one that is pictured here. It comes with some fantastic little matching booties that reflect the Triangle-Edged cardigan. A fantastic way to tie in the look of your cardigan and draw the eye to all the special details. If you look closely you will see the purled edge on the bottom of the cardigan again reflecting the triangle work done on the collier. This is a fantastic way to add interest to a solid color out fit. When I come across a pattern that needs a little assist I always consider adding some extra work like this. Oh dear look at the time I do have to go! Much to do around here. I feel like the White Rabbit in Alice! But before I dash down my rabbit whole and start to do that five letter word (CLEAN) I wanted to let you know that I can also be found on Ravelry so just look me up jeweledfrog! I would love hearing about your favorite knitters and authors.
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