Black Dog Knits

2008-07-15T23:45:00.007+10:00

Delicious

A little cherry coat for a sweet little baby made with a lot of love [and a little wavering]. A slightly overdue piece that I'm relieved is finished and will soon be on it’s way, along with another little piece. Now, I think I’ll sit quietly and finish my socks.

[Zara Extra Fine Merino in Cherry : Liberty of London fabric : My own pattern]

2008-07-11T08:20:00.005+10:00

Little Big

Little balls of wool purchased yesterday as the weather turned ridiculously cold and I realised that my wardrobe was lacking a big garter stitch scarf.

[Sublime Cashmere Merino Silk DK in Ebony. Corso De' Fiori Ceramic bowl in White.]

2008-07-09T08:22:00.010+10:00

To tell a story

Neptune : More than words

2008-07-04T15:41:00.009+10:00

Brilliant

Today is cold - the type of cold where you just want to curl up on the couch with a steaming mug of chai latte and knit, and perhaps bring some brightness into your day with a lovely cherry red wool [although don’t try photographing said wool for it will turn out orange or pink or anything other than it’s actual colour].
At least the wind has stopped.
Now, there’s just a fine drizzle falling from an almost white sky, coating everything in a mist of tiny droplets. Perfect stay at home and finish off all four projects on the needles weather. Especially this little cherry coat for a baby girl, lined in Liberty and tied with a red bow. It’s almost finished and would definitely be finished tonight if I hadn’t promised my husband green curry chicken for dinner. Brilliant. Do you think I can get away with take-out?

2008-07-02T07:53:00.008+10:00

Movement through shadows

A garment to move in, layer over, laze around with.
A piece I can relate to, connect with, take comfort from.
Together we’ve emerged through the shadows, moving ever so slowly to the other side.
We’re almost through.
Soon.
Close.

[And some proof that brightness does exist over here, and that it’s not just black, white or charcoal. A few of you were quite concerned. Please don’t be. I assure you that everything is fine. There is even red baby knitting on the needles – a little winter coat, vintage, lined in designer fabric and secured with a lovely bow. Ooops! I think I’ve just ruined someone’s surprise.]

2008-06-25T18:09:00.005+10:00

Thoughts finalised

Thank you for your supportive comments and emails on my previous post. I’d love to say that it’s all worked out and everything is now fine, but I’d be lying. There’s still a lot to sort through, think about and discuss, although finality seems a lot closer.

The little pile [above] is also nearing completion, with the knitting part all but finished.
A plain, simple shape that shows off a wonderful wool, it’s texture and subtle colour variations, derived from a basic pattern that is easily manipulated to suit individual tastes.
I need to think a little about button placement [or whether to omit them completely] and sleeve length. The rest has translated perfectly into a unique and understated finished piece – exactly as I’d imagined.

A blending of thoughts, ideas, possibilities and inspiration.
All intertwined, fused and finalised as they become one.

2008-06-19T18:24:00.004+10:00

Revealing outcomes

i Part of the current project – Neptune, in a colour I love [intense, luscious and beautiful… black] and in a wool I adore. Softly variegated, the rich, dark tones look even nicer in reverse stocking stitch - less defined, subtle. It has incredible colour and texture and is knitting up differently than imagined. Better. Much, much better. Perfect I would say. A simple piece that gently falls away from the body, without being oversized or baggy. I could’ve shown the entire front [and back] but it really needs sleeves to make it a whole. And perhaps different buttons [these are the original metal SKIF buttons that came with the pattern]. Oh, and did I mention the colour?
Joy.
Just, joy.

ii But there is another outcome and this one is causing some distress: My hospital placement for next year. Suddenly, I seem to be diverting toward a different field of medicine, somewhere I didn’t think I’d go, and somewhere I’m not sure I want to be. While this isn’t exactly a bad thing, it’s left me dithering between decisions and ultimately, frustrated. I’m now at a point where I need to be a little quieter as I seek resolution and balance.

I need to stop and re-asses.

And lavish the soul with comfort knitting.

2008-06-16T18:47:00.004+10:00

Waiting for:

: buttons
: seams
: a collar
: a moment to myself

2008-06-13T21:16:00.005+10:00

Reflecting

Well, that wasn’t a very productive week. The much anticipated restful periods with knitting needles and fine wool didn’t really eventuate. Instead, I caught up with friends, ate early dinners with family, shopped, walked, studied, watched a lot of TV and organised the sewing room.

I also missed my husband and am glad to have him home.

Time now to stop and sit – and maybe even pick up the needles again.

: A beginning.

2008-06-11T08:35:00.005+10:00

Easy

Each loop, each pull, each thread holds it in place, good bad or otherwise…

The monotony of something familiar soothes the soul and replenishes the mind as another scarf is completed over a dreary long weekend, with uni exams looming and a husband on the other side of the planet.

: Habu Shosenshi Paper and Lamb Linen, both in Charcoal. Something to wear with dark, winter coats, wrap up in and snuggle up against.

[I hope this will soften considerably once washed.]

2008-06-06T18:43:00.007+10:00

Oh, how I smiled

It’s cold and wet and the light for taking photos is horrendous, the almost finished Habu jacket needs buttons, I have an assessment for placement at the local hospital over the [long] weekend and Mr BDK is on his way to a conference in Canada, so really, there is not much to smile about over here – except for the little parcel of charcoal Shosenshi Paper and Tsumugi Silk that arrived yesterday and oh, how I smiled!

And smiled and swatched and smiled some more…

There’s something extraordinary about a paper/linen swatch from Habu. I’ve pulled it, twisted it, decided on smaller needles, merged it with silk, stood away and marvelled at it’s beauty and delicacy as I thought about the scarf it will become [as was it’s destiny – to replace this one] and really, thank you Kim for once again making my day and making me smile.

And since I’m on a Habu thing…

The softness of lamb/linen is again on the needles and will soon become this, which in turn will become something else using this and yes, the sentences are rather long and disjointed [very much like today] but I am smiling as I write this and thinking about how chaotic the next few days will be but oh! the nights will be very relaxing and incredibly productive so maybe I’ll have some new pieces to show you next week.

And I suppose not having to cook dinner for a couple of nights is another reason to smile…

2008-06-02T21:15:00.006+10:00

Long time finishing

The finished piece is almost finished. It has been a long time in the making, this finished piece. A little pile, waiting patiently for a spare moment to reach finality. A little pile that I often stare at longingly, yet dare not disturb unless I’m absolutely serious about completing it.

And this is where it becomes complicated.

In my head, I’ve held an image – a vision of the finished piece – for a long, long time. In my head, the finished piece is light as air, a billowing silhouette. Soft. Translucent. It almost takes flight. In my head, the finished piece is a creation in the making, safe from reality.

And so, I’ll delay completion a little while longer. I’ll continue to love the process of making, while dreaming of a perfect end. For a little while, I think I’ll let this enchanted fairytale linger.

[Above: something that will be started once the finished piece is… finished.]

2008-06-01T18:50:00.011+10:00

A necklace of rubies

A lovely rich ruby with hints of black.

A splash of intense colour and detail against a subdued winter outfit.

A simple lace pattern forms soft, intricate filigree folds.

A necklace made of rubies.

2008-05-27T17:23:00.007+10:00

Collaborating

I don’t think there is anything nicer than a freshly completed scarf, finished off with a gorgeous little vintage button, made from squishy, cosy sock wool. I’m wearing it now, as I type this, curled up on my couch with a steaming mug of chai latte, whilst contemplating what to knit next [and what to cook for dinner – again].

[Click on photo for details.]

2008-05-25T18:28:00.004+10:00

Softness

For the neck.
A decorative piece to keep in the cold.
Simply textured with a folded closure.
In the most incredible colours.
Worked on during a relaxing weekend.

[It would’ve been finished had I not spent the entire afternoon at my local café.]

2008-05-23T18:44:00.006+10:00

Needing something new

I need new scarves. I need new scarves with a bit of texture. I need new scarves with a bit of texture and movement and drape to wear with dark, winter clothing. I need new scarves to replace the cashmere one I accidentally bleached this afternoon and the Habu Silk Tsumugi I left behind in a restaurant last weekend. That one almost broke my heart.

I need a cowl or two. They tell me it’s the new scarf – and really, who am I to argue? I need a cowl or two to wear with my new winter coat [you should see this coat!] and boots.

Which means I also need new hand-knit socks.

I need new hand-knit socks to wear with my new boots. I need new hand-knit socks as I don’t have any left – I’ve given them all away. In fact, I’ve given away almost all my hand-knits and now there’s practically nothing left for me. But, that’s ok, I’ll just knit some more. If I start on the socks now, they should be finished over the weekend, right? Perhaps not. If I start on the socks now, they should be finished some time next week. I’ll just keep knitting because this wool is so gorgeous and I really owe it to Sarah to make something with it. Something to keep and wear.

But, before I do that, I need to cook dinner.

2008-05-22T08:25:00.009+10:00

With a dash of cyclamen

Those who know me, know I don’t do pink. At all. In fact, I don’t do girly, or frills or anything remotely associated with… flounce. But, when this Malabrigo Lace arrived, I ooooohed and aaaaahed and quickly sought the prettiest, most delicate scarf pattern I could find [and a backup, just in case].

I’m now fidgeting a little between patterns, slowly bringing myself around to actually knit with it [as opposed to simply staring at it – it’s so gorgeous!] and as soon as I finish up a long overdue piece, it will be put to use.

: Malabrigo Lace in Velvet Grapes. Perfect against Charcoal.

2008-05-18T21:34:00.009+10:00

Whirling around

I’ve been trying to write a post for the last 3 days – willing something that makes sense to travel from mind to fingertips.
Nothing.

I’ve been trying to decide what to knit next [or what to finish off] for the last week – willing my heart to come up with something beautiful [and something that may even be worn].
Nothing.

I’m perpetually moving and whirling around, from wool to pattern to blog and it’s all now jumbled and meaningless.
And still, nothing.
Except flux.
A continued state of [knitting] flux.

2008-05-14T07:45:00.011+10:00

Organised collections

I love collecting beautiful things. I love organising and creating balance. I love moving a piece from one group to the next and seeing it change the original concept entirely. I love minimalism. I don’t like fuss or the need to detail every single inch of space.

As the weather turns colder, I have a desire to knit something quick in black or the darkest charcoal. A gentle wrap, nestled quietly against the neck, adding warmth and cosiness without taking over the outfit. I have a simple collection sitting at the end of my desk – wool devoid of colour and cashmere fabric devoid of pattern. Dark and dramatic : Understated and subtle - A deliberate attempt at quietness and simplification.

Any suggestions?

[It's not always black and charcoal around here - sometimes, a little bit of colour manages to peek through...]

2008-05-08T16:50:00.004+10:00

Something for the neck

some wool
some linen
some leftover
some more wool
some silver
some indulgence
something for the neck

[I had an afternoon to myself yesterday, and took full advantage of it.]

2008-05-06T08:12:00.009+10:00

Easily modified

Soft black merino wool made up on large needles to create a fine, light fabric with a gentle A-line flared hem. Simple and understated, it will be worn layered over winter skirts and trousers. Accessorise with a soft, cashmere scarf and black hummingbird brooch, or lovely button.

[An updated version of Ink.]

2008-05-01T17:29:00.010+10:00

Pretty posies

2 little flower buttons

1 dusty pink swing jacket*

1 very sweet halter top in Liberty Babycord

1 matching baby cowl

1 gorgeous little recipient in a land far, far away…

1 more cowl on the needles

* Swing jacket based loosely on this one.

2008-04-27T18:28:00.009+10:00

Almost

I truly believe that knitted items rarely turn out as expected. I also believe that I may be asking for too much.
I think I should just show this piece and accept the fact that I hardly wear what I make. I also think I should stop adjusting and altering, trying to find different buttons or make it something it isn’t.
In reality, it’s a beautifully understated cardigan, designed to envelop the body with a simple wrap closure. It has drape. It has texture. It looks fantastic worn open with only a couple of buttons done up at the neckline. [For the record, the neckline is amazingly good – better than good.] The colour is stunning - a light, silvery grey that I’ve only ever come across once and have often wished I could get again.
By some standards, this jacket could even be considered perfect. Almost.

2008-04-23T18:51:00.012+10:00

Call of the hummingbird

Dare I show you another cowl? Oh, it’s a little different than the last two, but a cowl just the same. How about if I adorn it with a hummingbird brooch and tell you that it’s made from Habu Lamb Linen? Ok, I’ll even go so far as to admit that I may be slightly… addicted. Mind you, I’m not the only one. Surely not. No, others have indeed succumbed to the simple texture and patterning that make up this little project. I have seen various modifications all over Blogland, ranging from buttons to brooches to just worn loose and carefree.

Last year I made one with ties. This time, the lighter coloured canvas was beckoning for something more dramatic. After searching through my buttons, the Elk brooch called to me - a lovely bold detail against the warm softness of silvery grey.

[Although Lamb Linen has a tendency to shed, I love the feel of it through my fingers as I knit - just remind me not to wear dark clothing.]

2008-04-20T08:08:00.017+10:00

Easily distracted

This feels a little dishonest.
Quick.
Mindless.
Lacking in need of concentration.

Actually, this feels very dishonest.
Stolen moments here and there. Easy to pick up and knit a few rows without having to think about gauge or whether it will fit. Perfect for when you just want to get something made or to use up that gorgeous sock yarn considered too special and beautiful to hide away under winter boots. To be truthful, I made the first one purely to try out some new needles.

And oh-so-distracting.

I’m feeling a little guilty about the Habu jackets and the mere glimpses I’ve been showing you here and over at Flickr - abstract peeks that leave a lot to the imagination. I really should get into them and finish them up. In my defence, I ran out of cotton and it was on backorder at Habu for one month. The same with the antler buttons. Then I ran out of the silk stainless steel and held off ordering more. In the end, one thing led to another and both projects have been put away, out of sight. I’ll get to them another day, right?
Right.

[Click on photos for details.]