Knitted dresses

Recently I finished a knitted dress. It's a design by Helga Isager and can be found here. I've actually made three of these dresses and each one is unique. First I followed the pattern but used unusual yarn, single strand unspun Icelandic Lopi and some glitter thread. I really love this blue color.

Then for the second one I only followed the pattern for the yoke but changed the skirt and hemline. I used different yarn, one strand Icelandic one ply Einband and one strand Cascade baby alpaca lace held together. I also put beads in the yoke by threading them on specific stitches while knitting using a very small crochet hook. This method can be seen here in this fine video:

What I like most about this dress is the color. I used Einband in Teal and Cascade alpaca lace in Aporto. They mix beautifully together and make this kind of blue-green variegated color.

This dress now belongs to a woman in Switzerland :)

Both dresses were nice but I guess they could be quite warm to wear since both are made with 100% wool. So I decided to make a third one using a cotton/wool blend yarn from Geilsk. It's very soft and drapes nicely. I changed the hemline again and used the lace pattern from the yoke.

This one is longer than the others and quite stretchy.

I used steel gray beads for the yoke.

All dresses are/were for sale in my Etsy shop

Knitting on a plane

I've just returned from my trip to London. I stayed there over the weekend, mostly dining and shopping.

I always used to love flying when I was younger. I even set out to be a flight attendant but started to have children before I could. Everything changed when I had the children and somehow I stopped enjoying the flights as much. At least until I discovered the joy of knitting on a plane (makes me think of the movie Snakes on a plane ... dunno why).

Now I always take some knitting project with me when I fly. I get a bit nervous every time when I go through security but no one seems to mind my wooden or acrylic needles. Then when I'm on the plane I have enough time, peace and quiet to knit away. This time I brought along an Aeolian shawl that I'm knitting with Einband (yes the scratchy laceweight wool). Three hours of flight time just disappeared as I knitted my way through the first charts. I also save money on magazines (which I tend to buy in bulk) and have something to do while I'm waiting for the flight.

If you want to try knitting on a plane then here are my tips:

- Use plastic, acrylic or wooden needles.
- Use screw on needles so you won't loose stitches if the security
    won't allow them on the plane.
- Only take one project.
- Choose a project that will keep you occupied enough without too much
    trouble.
- Choose a project that has only one color (no fair isle or intarsia)
    because that tends to take up space and/or be complicated.
- Don't bring a very big project that will bother the people next to you.
- Avoid yarns that shed a lot.
- Bring an extra set of needles in your luggage just in case.
- Remember that scissors are not allowed.

I have also tried crocheting while flying and that's perfect too. With a wooden hook it's no problem and takes even less space and fuzz as the knitting does.

Einband

I have a love/hate relationship with the yarn called Einband. It's all Icelandic lace weight wool that comes in a variety of beautiful colors but stings like crazy ... or at least it stings me like crazy.

I have loads of it in my stash and buy even more from time to time. Why? ... Well the colors. They're just so beautiful. They range from muted natural sheepish colors to vibrant, bold colors in almost every shade. I'm such a sucker for colors.

Click here to see all the colors available.

Einband is a great yarn for shawls and delicate lace designs. But like I said, it stings me like no other yarn. I'm able to wear regular lopi next to my skin without problems but Einband I almost can't wear. For example I made this dress in 2009 but never wear it, mostly because of the stinging.

The only use I have for Einband is when I combine it with single strand plötulopi. By doing that it doesn't sting as much. I often use this method with shawls to strengthen the plötulopi which tends to tear easily.

It would be so great to be able to wear it and make beautiful shawls or light but warm garments out of it. It helps a little to wash it with a hair conditioner but sadly not enough for me. But I do know a lot of people who can wear it without problems so do not be to discouraged by my bad luck and sensitive skin.

Although it's lace weight, Einband can be knit with bigger needles with good results. My dress was knit on 4 mm needles (US size 6) and I'm currently making a sweater on 6 mm needles (US size 10). Both look great but very different. I think it's the fuzziness of the yarn that makes this possible, kind of like mohair but less fussy.

Istex has published a pattern book with a few pattern made with Einband. Click here for the online preview.
There are also a few designs in Lopi 30 and Lopi 31 (not available online yet).