This is where I spent the last two weeks. I was in Anchorage hanging with fellow students and faculty in the MFA program at the University of Alaska. We had twelve-hour days of classes learning about the craft of creative writing. In the evenings, instructors gave readings–we heard from poets, fiction and non fiction writers. One poet played the harmonica during her reading (Kim Addonizio, who just today was featured in the Writer’s Almanac); one poet read translations and original poems in Urdu and French. Novelist Carolyn Turgeon read from her upcoming novel Mermaid, and author Craig Childs took us on a journey through deserts, rivers, and islands in his treks tracing water all over the world.

I was living in a dorm–something I haven’t done in, oh, 16 years. And because it was Anchorage, we were visited by moose: a mother and her baby decided to snack right outside the back door of the residence hall.

I brought lots of UFOs with me thinking I would be quite virtuous and not start any new projects. I only finished one UFO, this hat, for my friend Alyssa:

I crocheted the hat with Blue Sky Skinny Cotton and I used Kim Werker’s three-color spiral technique. I love this technique because of the great design you get at the crown of the hat.

It’s a little fiddly because you have “live” unworked rounds of color as you go. I found that I could just kind of tie the live loops together to keep them from coming unraveled. I stuck to Kim’s plan of one row in double crochet, one row in half-double and one row in single crochet (in other hats I’ve varied that scheme). I like the way the stripes of varying width look in these three colors. I made the crown oversized so the hat would be a little slouchy (my preferred style these days), and I worked the hat loosely to start, then changed to a small needle for the final rows so it would stay on the head easily.

If I’d been living anywhere else, I think this hat would have been lost for good. I was almost done the night I lost it. I got home from Selma’s softball game, where I’d been working on the hat and I was changing to go to out to dinner when I realized I didn’t have it anymore. I scoured the house, and when I left, I had enough time to retrace my steps and ask around: the ball field, the Baja Taco where I’d picked up dinner for the kids. Nothing. I hate losing things, and I stewed about it most of the night.

In the morning, I went out and tore the car apart but it wasn’t there. I had gone out the back door, and when I went to go in the front door, I found my little project bag hanging on the front door. Special delivery–the bag had been found, recognized and dropped off by fellow knitters!

Jay had commissioned the hat and picked the colors himself. I didn’t have a color-work pattern in mind, I just started playing with color and the little circles evolved. This intuitive way of creating pattern is my favorite because you don’t have to “get it right,” you just do what seems like fun in the next round and watch it grow.

The hat is worked in back loop single crochet in Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece (thanks, Becca!) and three different sizes of hook–4.5mm for the crown 5mm for the color work and 3.5mm for the ribbing.

I know. It’s been quiet here, eh? Don’t you hate posts where folks talk about how they wish they had been posting more? I promise not to do that.

So. In May I started graduate school, and I’ve been writing. A lot. I’ve been swimming along learning how to balance school and the rest of life, and getting ready for my 10-day residency in July when I go to Anchorage with my fellow students and we do nothing but talk about writing. I’m both terrified and really looking forward to it.

Since I have little time for designing and making big projects, I declared recently on Twitter and Facebook that for me, this would be the summer of finishing up unfinished projects. So far so good. I’m making headway on a couple, and I *haven’t* cast on for anything new since I set that intention. Yet. I’m finishing up a pair of socks right now, then it’s on to a shawl and a scarf. Want to join me? if you finish something tweet using the #summerofufos tag so we all can see it.

I’ve been done editing Inside Crochet for a month or so now, but issues with my design in them will be coming out for a while. There are two out–issue 7 and 8 that I haven’t had a chance to mention yet. Issue 8 was the last full issue that Julie and I edited (but we commissioned designs up through issue 11, so I’m curious to see how the magazine ultimately evolves). In issue 7 I have a Slouchy Hat made from super-soft baby llama yarn:

The color work pattern was adapted from Barbara Walker’s Mosaic Knitting book. I love how her mosaic patterns look in crochet.

Issue 8 has just come out as well! I created what I’m calling a “Modern Spencer.” I was inspired by all the Jane Austen movies I’ve been watching where the young women wear these little cropped jackets over their dresses. The Spencer features a fun to crochet little peekaboo ruffle edging that makes it look like you’re wearing a bit of lace under your sweater.

Summer has been super-busy with camps and hikes and swimming and music and all of the usual Cordova craziness, except that the ship, and James with it has been in Seattle for training. In the middle of it all, we found out that the ship has been ordered to go to the Gulf of Mexico to aid in oil spill clean up. The trip down there takes weeks, and then they’ll be working on spill recovery for the foreseeable future. Argh. So we’re all learning to adjust to the idea of an extended separation. With the magic of satellite internet, the kids get a phone call every few evenings and James reads them a bed time story. We’re staying connected as best we can, and we’re hoping to meet up later in the summer in the Midwest.

We wear “winter” hats here year round–they just get a little lighter in the spring and summer. Today, I’m wearing Winkin. (In the winter, I wear these lighter hats in the house to keep warm inside).

Last winter I made a tweedy black hat for my friend Pam, and with spring coming she asked if I might make her a springier version and even bought a beautiful skein of Galenas from Three Irish Girls in a custom colorway dyed for The Net Loft called Boswell Bay Strawberry. She wanted a slouchy basic hat, so I worked in the back loop only to keep the fabric flexible, and made a slightly oversized crown. The skein was so generous that even after I’d made the big slouchy hat, there was enough left over to make a wee baby hat for Pam’s baby Isla. It was so satisfying to use up every inch of the yarn, too!

Last year, the berry picking here was abysmal. Actually, I think the die-hard pickers maybe did ok, those who have secret spots–I was told when I first moved here that some folks will take picking locations to their graves. But most of us amateurs didn’t get much. I had no more than a quart of salmonberries, and I had no idea why. It had been a beautiful summer. This week, I started noticing salmonberry blossoms for the first time. They seem to be everywhere. I have never picked in my back yard, but there’s a small field of them down by the lakeside where I took these pictures. Last year, we were traveling for much of May and June and I missed the berry blossom season. I can’t tell whether the seeming abundance of blossoms portends a good berry year or not. I have heard a few folks commenting optimistically, so I’m hopeful.

Could it actually be spring here? It’s a long time coming. We spent most of the day at the little league ball field. Selma and Jay are both playing for the first time and enjoying it. It seems like everyone in town filters through the ball field on a Saturday and there’s a “snack shack” with the typical ballpark fare (minus the beer). Now, it’s 6:20 and Selma’s still out riding her bike, and James has started up the lawn mower. That must make it official.

Last night, my friend Chelsea came over and photographed my new shawl which will be part of a soon-to-be released book from Stitch Cooperative, I think it will also be sold as a single pattern. The shawl is called Persuasion. It’s crocheted from lace-weight alpaca and it offered surprising warmth in the chilly evening despite the openwork of the pattern. I think it will get a lot of wear this year. Anyway, here’s a sneak peek:

Finally, congratulations to Linda Lindley, she’s the winner of Melissa Leapman’s Color Knitting the Easy Way. Linda, your book will be in the mail soon!

Lately, I’ve had a little more time to crochet for friends and myself, and I love it. I’ve been picking simple meditative projects that I can just design as I crochet. My go-to stitch has been single crochet through the back loop (sc-bl) worked in the round. I love the look and feel that the stitch gives to the fabric, it’s stretchier than regular single crochet, it has more drape, and it has a nice smooth surface. These mitts are for my friend Becca who looks great in blue.

I actually didn’t intend to use the stitch for these mitts. I had created one using a half-double crochet rib and worked the mitt lengthwise, but after finishing the first one, I didn’t like it, so I started over. I loved the look of the Basic Fingerless Mitts on Crochetme.com, but I didn’t follow the pattern, just the general idea of increasing  for the thumb gusset. This yarn is Noro Iro-a wool/silk blend single with the iconic Noro variegation. I love how the two mitts look completely different even tho’ they came from the same ball of yarn.

It’s starting to feel like summer here. I spotted salmonberry blossoms today, and I’m hoping that portends a good berry year! We spent the last week in Tatitlek, AK – if you’ve been reading the blog for a while you’ll remember that Selma and I went last year.  The whole family came this year for Cultural Heritage Week. We joined kids and chaperones from all over Prince William Sound and we spent the week learning mostly about traditional crafts – beading, skin sewing, carving, weaving.

There was also traditional native Alaskan games, native dance and language. And of course the things that any good camp can’t do without: a talent show, and a Grown-Ups v. Kids basketball game.

Tatitlek is a tiny rural village on Prince Williams Sound between Cordova and Valdez, AK. We got there by boat, it was about a 2-hour boat ride, and it was beautiful and sunny on our way out there. Unfortunately, it rained all week. But it the kids made the best of it finding fun things to do. And we did have a few sun breaks. You can see all my photos from the week on facebook. (I’ll add them to flickr too sometime soon).

We got back Saturday night. Selma only has a couple more days of school, and today, I started school. I’m beginning my MFA program this week, and I already have reading and homework! I haven’t been in school for over 15 years, so I’m guessing this will be a bit of an adjustment, but I am thrilled to be beginning.

The biggest change about this summer is I won’t be going to TNNA. I’m sad to be missing the conference and missing seeing so many friends, but it just made the most sense to stick around. Intsead we’ll be taking a family trip in August and we’ll get to go together to our cottage in Wisconsin, and to my cousin Johanna’s wedding.

I did crochet a bit on the way to Tatitlek–I finished a pair of fingerless knits that had been languishing since my friend Becca’s birthday many months ago. I’ll take a picture of them on her when I see her on Wednesday. This week will be all about finishing stuff and getting it ready for photography. Now if I can only keep myself from starting that hat I want to make for Jay Jay…

Just when you think everyone has gone crazy, XKCD saves the day!

One of my favorite authors ranted a bit on her blog last night about not liking fan fiction. What she got in return was a firestorm from fanfic writers. It seems to me ranting on the net always leads to more rants, but somehow I couldn’t tear myself away from this particular train wreck because it had to do with fair use and derivative works, things that I have a strong interest in. (I don’t actually read or write fan fiction, but was mesmerized nonetheless). Diana Gabaldon says on her blog that she doesn’t want people to write fan fiction about her work. I think she has every right to say so, and to work to keep such derivative works off the internet. Unfortunately, she was inflammatory instead of circumspect in how she said it, and offended a lot of people. Even though I think she has the right to discourage fan fiction, I think she’s probably wrong to do so. Here’s what I wrote in my comment on her post:

I find it interesting that you encourage some artists to create derivative work (the family tree you spoke of, the wedding ring, the Outlander-themed videos that you’ve favorited on YouTube), but other art (i.e. writing) you find repugnant. What if someone wanted to write a song inspired by your series? Would you feel flattered or would you find it immoral? Perhaps a Creative Commons non-commercial licensing scheme that allowed specific types of derivative work could clarify what you do and don’t sanction.

Ultimately, your post made me a little sad. I think legally, you have the right to pursue writers who create fan fiction based on your work, but it may not be in your best interest to do so. Those writers and readers of fan fiction based on your work are probably some of your most devoted fans and while they may not bring new readers to your work (I doubt they would because only someone who’s already read your books would seek out fan fiction based on them), I think discouraging them may create a feeling of ill will in that part of your fan community.

On the other hand, if others creating stories with your characters in them makes you feel bad as it obviously does, then it’s good you let your fans know. I’m guessing that none of us would want to consciously offend you.

(As a side note I would love to hear your thoughts on the difference between creating stories based on public domain fictional characters–which you said find distasteful, and creating fiction based on deceased historical figures–which you must not despise because you do it so delightfully in your books.)

Today Gabaldon posted again on the subject, and it seems she’s reconsidering yesterday’s harsh stance. I doubt she will ever encourage fan fiction, but it’s nice to see that she’s open to hearing from her fans and wading through all the nasty comments she received to find some good in what people were saying.

05/05/10 – ETA: A new commenter has posted a link today to a Cory Doctorow piece “In Praise of FanFic.”  Cory is famously supportive of fair use and derivative work. He states his case brilliantly in this article. Here’s a brief excerpt:

Each person who retold Pygmalion did something both original — no two tellings are just alike — and derivative, for there are no new ideas under the sun. Ideas are easy. Execution is hard. That’s why writers don’t really get excited when they’re approached by people with great ideas for novels. We’ve all got more ideas than we can use — what we lack is the cohesive whole.

The biggest lesson I got from reading these posts and the responses to them is one that I seem to relearn periodically throughout my life communicating with people online: if you’re mad, don’t press “send” or “publish.” Just wait, because reasoned discussion will be more effective and efficient for all involved.

It’s not often when you pick up a book you’re drawn in by the photographer. But in this case, “photography by Jared Flood,” would have been enough to convince me to pick up Knits Men Want. And yes, the photos are stunning and live up to our high expectations of Jared’s work, but luckily, the book and the patterns are clever enough to stand on their own as well.

Anyone who has tried to knit for a guy has probably thrown down their needles at one point or another. (My own dear husband has a half-finished pair of socks in time out right now because they are not a good “guy” color). Knits Men Want is constructed with a fun format, “10 Rules Every Woman Should Know Before Knitting for a Man.” Each of the rules is an essay like “Not all Men are Worthy of Cashmere” (this assumes that some are?), and “Men are Babies.” Author Bruce Weinstein, writes in a fun, irreverent style that speaks to women, and shows he really does know what men want in the way of knitting. Each rule also has a pattern (“The only 10 patterns she’ll ever need.”) There are sweaters, vests, mitts, socks a scarf and hat, all looking very simple, lovely and (with the exception of a textured scarf) full of miles and miles of stockinette. I’m sure this really *is* what men want to wear. And the problem for women knitters comes where they’d rather be knitting something with more knitterly interest. I think that Bruce is right. If we want men to wear what we knit, we need to knit things that don’t say “Hey check-out this hand-knitting!” We can make those sorts of things for ourselves.

Bruce has offered to chat about how to pick the right yarn and stitch for a project. So without further ado, I’ll let him take the floor:

Okay, this sounds easier than it actually is. Get his opinion—on the pattern, the yarn, and the color. Take him to the store. Did I just hear a few snorts of laughter? True, some men will go to the yarn store willingly, and even enjoy it. But most won’t.

My partner Mark won’t go even if I promise him the moon. He hates stores, hates shopping. So I go and pick out some skeins. A good selection and bring them home. Now, they have to be comfortable. Don’t just let him feel them with his hands. He’s going to wear the garment against his body. Rub that yarn where the sun don’t shine. On his chest, his back, his shoulders. Make sure he likes the feel of it as yarn – or he won’t like the feel of it as a sweater.

Show him patterns, but remember that most men won’t be able to translate what they see on a young thin model to what they’ll see on themselves. So knit up a swatch. But keep a few pointers in mind before you waste anyone’s time.

In general, keep cables narrow. Kill the fringe. Lose the bobbles and picos. Crew and V-neck is better than cowls or turtle necks. And if you make a cardigan, choose buttons or zippers that are dark and simple, not shiny or flashy.

Thanks, Bruce, for dropping by, and congratulations on the release of your new book!

I recently was asked to be part of a couple of blog tours — this is the first of two guest posts, the other one will be tomorrow. This book, Comfort Knitting and Crochet: Afghans: More Than 50 Beautiful, Affordable Designs Featuring Berroco’s Comfort Yarn is a collection of modern afghan designs all done in Berroco’s Comfort Yarn, which is, to tell the truth, the modern-day version of 1970s acrylic. Except that it’s not. Comfort is soft, and smooth, squishy and nice to work with. But like “vintage orlon” it comes in tons of colors and it is machine washable and dryable. Unlike the old acrylic, it’s good for garments as well as afghans, and great for baby stuff and folks who are sensitive to wool. It’s the one synthetic I’d use without complaint.

Anyway, thanks to the Berroco Design Team for taking time to write a guest post:

Taking liberties with the patterns to make them fit your home and life – modifications and recolorations

Don’t be put off if the colors of an afghan in this book don’t suit your style. Most pieces in the Comfort Knitting and Crochet Afghans lend themselves very nicely to personal interpretations. While it’s easy to imagine a solid colored afghan knit or crocheted in in a different shade, reworking multicolor schemes can be daunting. Here, the design focus on traditional textiles helps make choosing a new color-way easier. Quilt based patterns like Nordic Holiday and Bight Star are fun to recolor by surfing the web for similar quilts in colors you prefer. You could also get our your crayon box and color in you own quick sketches of the simple geometric shapes.

Many of the two color patterns, like Houndstooth and Meditate are interpretations of woven fabrics. Let textiles inspire and guide your color choices too. Try for a similar contrast in value. One hint for choosing new colors to fit your room and lifestyle: Co-ordinate with the colors in your room but you don’t try to match it perfectly. Related colors will be even more pleasing. Many of the afghans are make in squares that can be rearranged to form pattern variations and varying the number of squares makes it very easy change the finished size as well.

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Tomorrow I’ll be posting about another new book that I’m particularly excited about, Knits Men Want.