I have noticed several trends in the knit-blog community in my brief tenure as a member. Trend #1 seems to be Publish or Perish. While this is a phrase mainly reserved for graduate students and professors seeking PhDs and tenure, it seems to have morphed into the folk wisdom of the knit-blog world. Trend #2 looks to be knitters abandoning their blogs, knitting, or both. I can't say whether the abandonment is due to a failure to publish or some other basic cycle of the folk and fiber art communities and I am not willing to hazard a guess. As I don't intend to abandon ship, however, this may be why I am feeling a strong draw to publishing.
I am still atop the picket fence regarding publishing the Nina pattern, but while I was hanging out and looking at the view I knit up a quick scarf out of a decadent silk/wool blend yarn called Grace by Louisa Harding. And as it is a fairly simple repeating lace pattern but produced a lovely and elegant scarf, I've decided that while the Nina Debate rages on, I may as well publish the scarf pattern. Or, try to, anyway. I'm going to start with the online knitting mags and see what happens.
Several weeks ago, I made a jaunt out to Salem, MA to have breakfast and spend time with a friend and made the first of what I expect will be many trips to Seed Stitch Fine Yarn. Having just bought a bunch of holiday gifts, I was short on spending money and long on sticker shock. Nevertheless, I walked away from this fine establishment with a beautiful skein of Noro Silk garden in color #241 (I do hope Twisted Knitter doesn't mind me using her blog to show you the color - isn't that shawl stunning?! Truly lovely.) and a skein of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Baby in a rich chocolate brown (color #340011). I had a vague idea of making a stranded hat of some sort but after a thorough review of the various and sundry hat patterns, came away with the impression that I would have to write my own. Until I happened upon this interesting rendition, that is. I admit that I dislike the rolled brioche ribbed edge a great deal, and I'm not entirely sure about the first pattern segment but I absolutely adore the rest! Particularly the crown. I'm not sure who will get this hat. I refuse to wear them and this is a bit too "girly" for most of the women I'm close to, but I'll figure that out later. I may end up just putting it in the gift drawer until the right recipient comes along.
Take a look at the picture of the crown of (the very aptly named) Stranded:
