A wake is a ceremony associated with death. Traditionally, a wake takes place in the house of the deceased with the body present; however, modern wakes are often performed at a funeral home. In the United States and Canada it is synonymous with a viewing. It is often a social rite which highlights the idea that the loss is one of a social group and affects that group as a whole  (from Wikipedia).

And that made sense. Or as much sense as I can muster as I attempt to make sense of the loss of Kathreen Ricketson of Whip Up

I’ve been trying to write this post since I first heard of her tragic accident last Thursday. I’m stuck. I’m following along as Ann and Kay over at Mason Dixon memorialize her and choking up a little…

You don’t realize how much impact someone you’ve never met, who lives on the other side of the world can have until suddenly you feel their absence. I’ve been following Whip Up so long, I don’t even realize how I found her (I’m willing to wager that Ann and Kay had something to do with it though) but I will never in my life forget the moment when Kathreen found me. It was last August, and she invited me to participate in her Knitting Designer Series, it gave me a chance to chat with her about our mutual love of cardigans, of philosophy and art and kids and preschool…

I sum up then and now with this quote from William Morris

“The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life”

And lastly

Please consider donating what you can to the educational fund that’s been set up for Kathreen and Rob’s beautiful children, Otilija and Orlando. All the info you’ll need is here. and here if you prefer buttons.

© Brooklyn Tweed/Jared Flood

~Proverb

In honor of Mother’s Day, 15% off all Savory Knitting patterns in the Ravelry Shop.

(May 1st-May 12th through the end of the day EST)

I want to thank all of you who entered the drawing, 105 comments is a record for this blog (all credit to Amy H. and STC for that feat) and the comments were amazing. You were all so inspiring, I really enjoyed reading what you all wrote. The contest is closed but check out the original post and feel free to add comments if you missed it. I think something wonderful happens when we stop focusing on what we don’t like about our selves and instead acknowledge a positive.

With sweater knitting, fit is everything. If something is showing that you’re not crazy about, you will be uncomfortable. If the neckline hits your collarbone in the wrong place you’re going to feel all schlumpy. Conversely, you get it all right and you’re going to feel like the queen of the world. The way your clothes fit can completely alter the way you think, it alters your mood, it changes your outlook on your whole day. Take it step further to when that piece of clothing that makes you feel amazing is something that you just made with your own two hands? Beyond priceless. The first step is tailoring, choosing clothes that move smoothly over your body- nothing tight but no tents either. Whether you’re big or small too much extra fabric disguises nothing. The second step, understanding what really works, on you.

I got to meet Amy Herzog for the first time last summer. She’s amazing. Smart and witty with a calm demeanor and a dry sense of humor. She and I are both native New Englanders and that comes with a certain reserve but in less then 24 hours I was already calling her my friend. That is to say I instantly felt completely at ease with her, like I’d known her forever and we could talk about most anything. But its not just me. That’s the effect Amy has on people. She has that enviable ability to look at a something and tell you straight, good or bad, its working or its not. There is no sugar coating, no judgment, or harshness, just straight clear eyed assessment.

Amy brings every bit of the person that she is in real life to the Fit to Flatter book (STC Craft/A Melanie Falick Book, April 2, 2013). There are knitting patterns of course, a whopping 21 sweaters every one of which is what I call a “real life”, wear-it-all-day-every-day, wardrobe staple kind of sweater, which is exactly the kind of thing I love, but that’s the sugar coating. What this book really is, is the girlfriend you take when you go shopping. The one who’s not afraid to say…. Hmmm maybe not those jeans, try these instead… Amy begins the book by inviting you to really understand yourself- what do you like, what don’t you like when you look in the mirror. What do you really see when you’re looking in the mirror and you let go of all the numbers and vague fruit references? Once you can really objectively look at what you’ve got you can play it up. Amy uses the next  4 chapters to break it down, how to play to your strengths, and mitigate a weakness that brings you down.

Except this is knitting and we’re not stuck taking things as they are off the rack. And so there is my favorite chapter, #6: Modifications. If you’re anything like me you’re inevitably drawn to at least 1 sweater in one of the chapters that is not for “your type”, there is no reason it can’t become something that will work for you. This is the chapter that will teach you to own your knitting. It covers: Waist shaping, body and sleeve length adjustments, neckline adjustments, bust darts should you need them (and whether or not you do) and sleeve tailoring (bicep measurements, armholes  and sleeve caps).  The price of admission is worth it for this chapter alone. No designer can write a pattern tailored to every single body type… No designer should have to, after all we’re people too. I look in the mirror and worry about my unusually long torso, I get anxious about the girth of my biceps… and my hips… and… Never mind. Forget all about thinking like that. We’ve got Amy. She’s going to help us all get over those numbers on the tape measure, on the scale, on the tag in our clothes and focus on what works.

Know what else? Amy and STC have a copy of the Knit to Flatter book for me to give away. Leave a comment below~ In the spirit of the book I think we should all share a positive thought about a piece of clothing we love, because of how it makes us feel (doesn’t have to be knitting related). Contest will run today (4/22/13) through Sunday (4/28/13 end of day) and randomly select 1 person to be announced next Monday. Sound good? Can’t wait to read what you all have to say~

And don’t miss any stops on the blog tour, see what others are saying here:

Monday, April 15: Rock and Purl – Ruth Garcia-Alcantud
Tuesday, April 16: Mind of Winter – Julia Trice
Wednesday, April 17: Mary Jane Mucklestone
Thursday, April 18: Moth Heaven – Julia Farwell-Clay
Saturday, April 20: Knitting At Large – Julie Matthews
Sunday, April 21: ADD Knitter
Monday, April 22: Savory Knitting – Amy Christoffers (you are here!)
Tuesday, April 23: Carole Knits

Last but definitely not least: Baby Cocktails – Thea Colman

I’m seeing a teeny tiny little point of light at the end of the tunnel that is ‘book’. We are all knitting all the time over here- full production mode.

But thats not all I have cooking! I have in my possession a review copy of the the brand-y-new Knit to Flatter book by Amy Herzog and it is good. Really good. I’m pouring over every word of it and will be back soon with a full report for you and of course a copy to give away so make sure to check back.

In the mean time: knitting, knitting and more knitting.

The Catboat Cardigan is having a little fun with tradition, mixing a little of the traditional Gansey with modern sports wear. The tweedy Green Mountain Spinnery Alpaca Elegance pairs perfectly with some leather buttons but it has already occurred to me that I want to do this all season, everyday, sweater again with the Spinnery’s Cotton Comfort.

This pattern is available for $7.00 USD, and please visit the Savory Knitting Ravelry Shop for more information and pictures.

But its been warm this week and so the snow covered hillside is starting to get a hint of pink as the maple trees start thinking buds and the tips of the trees are turning red. The spring of daffodils and tulips is still a long way away but I’m seeing the light at the end of winter’s tunnel and a little red too.

Finished Measurements

24 (44, 64)” around.

11 1/2” wide

Sample is 44”

Materials

215 (430, 645) yards Worsted weight yarn.

Lorna’s Laces Haymarket “Washington” [100% wool] 215 yards (197 m)/100g: 1 (2, 3) skeins.

Needles

1 US 8/5 mm circular or straight needle

Notions required

Waste yarn, tapestry needle, stitch markers (optional)

Gauge

20 sts x 28 rows= 4” in Stockinette stitch

22 sts x 30 rows = 4” in cable pattern from chart

1 chart repeat= 2 3/4”

This is February in Vermont.

Color is the antidote to February.

I’ll be back tomorrow with actual knitting content.